Shan Zhu Yu
Corni Fructus
sour, slightly warm
PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Stabilize and Bind
CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
- Incontinence
- Excess urination
- Spermatorrhea
- Spontaneous sweating
- Dizziness
- Low back pain
- Knee pain
- Erectile dysfunction
- Menorrhagia
Shan Zhu Yu has a sour characteristic which has a holding or restraining function on the body. This acts on the kidneys by treating such conditions as incontinence or urinary frequency. It works on the hormone system to restrain loss of seminal fluid in cases of spermatorrhea and closes the pores for patients with excessive sweating. Aldosterone from the adrenal glands and ADH (antidiuretic hormone) from the pituitary are primary hormones for retaining fluid. A drop in these two hormones can cause excess urination and low blood pressure. The mechanism of influence from this herb is likely on these areas of hormone production in the body. Since the adrenal glands also produce sex hormones, it is easy to draw a conclusion that this herb supports adrenal gland function. The sex hormone regulating function may also involve other aspects of the endocrine system such as the gonads and pituitary. It helps patients with back pain from sex hormone deficiency that present in andropausal men or perimenopausal women. The warming effect nourishes the body’s ability to produce yang hormones. It supports the liver and can also treat blood related excess menstrual bleeding but this function is considered mild. It is because of its liver nourishing quality that it may also improve the health of the eyes. The eyes are a single artery system that is very sensitive to blood flow. Improving liver function improves both blood health (liver blood) and blood flow which positively affects the eyes.
This herb must be combined with other herbs to treat the root of the condition; the area of greatest deficiency.
Channels: liver, kidney
COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL POSSIBILITIES:
- Dizziness/vertigo
- Pain in the genital region
- Lumbago
- Infertility male/female
- Menorrhagia
- Excess sweating
- Erectile dysfunction
- Incontinence
- Ringing in the ears
Formulas:
- Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
- Bu Shen Yi Gan Tang
- Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
- Di Huang Yin Zi
- Diao Gan Tang
- Du Qi Wan
- Zuo Gui Wan
- Zuo Gui Yin
- Yang Jing Zhong Yu Tang
- Er Long Zuo Ci Wan
- Gu Chang Tang
- Jia Wei Shen Qi Wan
- Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
- Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
- Mai Wei Di Huang Wan
- Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
- Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
- Shen Qi Wan
Contraindications: do not prescribe Shan Zhu Yu to patients that present with urinary tract infections, yeast infections, or patterns of damp heat in the bladder which may present with urinary pain or difficulty
Zoo Image: a two headed camel waiting to be rescued is walking away from a Kotex, while leaking semen and urine, heading towards an essence tree