Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) is from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosh., family Scrophulariaceae. After the medicinal material has been collected, it is dried. After the first drying it is prepared by steaming with wine and dried repeatedly until is is black internally and externally. Its quality changes to soft and sticky. It is then sliced for use.
Category: Tonifying – Blood Tonifying.
Common Name: Cooked Rehmannia Root; Prepared Chinese Foxglove Root.
Channels Entered: Liver and Kidney.
Properties and Functions: Shu Di Huang is sweet in flavour and slightly warm in nature. It has the following functions:
- Tonifying the Blood.
- Nourish and enriches Yin.
- Nourishes and supplements the Essence (Jing).
Indications: Shu Di Huang is clinically indicated for the following:
- Blood deficiency manifesting as sallow or pale complexion, dizziness, palpitation, irregular menstruation, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis.
- Deficiency of Liver-Yin and Kidney-Yin manifesting as tidal fever, night sweating, weakness of lower back and limbs, dizziness, tinnitus and nocturnal emissions.
- Insufficient essence and Blood resulting in soreness of the groin and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, poor vision, premature whitening of the hair, memory loss.
Dosage: 9 – 30g
Cautions and Contra-Indications: As it is sticky and rich, it has the tendency to obstruct digestion, so it is not suitable for use in cases with excessive sputum, epigastric fullness, poor appetite and loose stool.