About Qianyang Dan
The unique design of Qianyang Dan appeared relatively recently in the 19th century scholar-physician Zheng Qin’an’s book, True Transmission of the Fundamental Principles of Medicine (Yili zhenchuan). Due to the recent popularity of the Sichuan Fire Spirit School of Chinese Herbal Medicine (Huoshen Pai), however, the formula has become the standard bearer of the lineage’s “Aconite Method” (sini fa). In contrast to the more moving and dispersing “Cinnamon Method” (guizhi fa) adapted from the classical Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Decoction), the Aconite Method not only vitalizes Spleen and Kidney yang, but enhances the down-drawing capacity of the cardinal herb Fuzi by pairing it with Xi Sharen, a rare type of wild cardamon that is now mostly found in Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. In the original Qianyang Dan recipe, a small amount of turtle plastron is added for the highly specific purpose of opening the Conception Vessel (renmai), the pathway where the Kidney’s downward drawing function manifests itself. A relatively high amount of licorice, moreover, fortifies the center and neutralizes the potential intensity of aconite.
All schools of Chinese medicine agree on the concept that the Kidney network functions as a type of “storage battery” for prenatal energy. Contemporary approaches to Kidney deficiency disorders, however, have strongly favored the tonification of Kidney yin by prescribing rehmannia based remedies such as Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia). The design of Qianyang Dan emphasizes the fact that failure of the Kidney system to act as an “oceanic receptacle” for the body’s descending qi processes (naqi)—typically leading to the flaring of false heat (as in insomnia or menopausal hot flashes)—can be just as often the result of (Kidney) yang deficiency as of (Kidney) yin deficiency. This formula thus fills an important clinical void for chronic Kidney problems caused by yang deficiency and dampness, a situation for which the prescription of the sticky yin herb rehmannia is contraindicated. Qianyang Dan can thus be regarded as a constitutional base formula for chronic cold-damp disorders characterized by the principal etiology of Kidney yang deficiency accompanied by false heat and/or phlegm symptoms in the upper part of the body. In order distinguish the suitability of the Qianyang Dan approach from flare-up symptoms that are due to yin deficiency or true fire, however, it is important to confirm the patient’s yang deficient constitution via the tongue and pulse.
Therapeutic Principles
- Tonify original yang and restore the Kidney’s function of drawing prenatal qi into the lower dantian
- Restore Spleen yang and dry cold damp in the middle burner
Formula Ingredients
| CHINESE | PINYIN | COMMON NAME; PAOZHI (PROCESSING) | AMOUNT |
| 附子 (竹刀削, 蒸制) | Fuzi | Aconite; peeled w/ bamboo knife, steam cured | 32.00% |
| (西) 砂仁 (薑汁炒) | (Xi) Sharen | Amomum, Myanmar; ginger fried | 40.00% |
| 龜板 (砂炒醋淬) | Guiban | Turtle shell; sand fried, vinegar treated | 8.00% |
| 甘草 (枣花蜜炙) | Zhi Gancao | Licorice; jujube flower honey baked | 20.00% |
Qianyang Dan Usage
Companion Remedies
SUITABLE FOR COMBINING
Similar Remedies
ALSO FEATURE ACONITE AS THE LEAD HERB AND/ORG AIM TO RETURN COUNTERFLOWING KIDNEY QI TO THE LOWER DANTIAN; ALTERNATION OPTIONS
| HERITAGE SERIES | LEGACY SERIES |
| Jingui Shenqi Wan | Guanyin Pearls |
| Fengsui Dan | Peace Pearls |
| Shenxian Dushi Dan | Vitality Pearls |
| Ocean Pearls | |
| Moon Pearls | |
| Sugar Pearls | |
| Heart Pearls | |
| Tiger Pearls | |
| Water Pearls |
Supplement Facts
Serving size: 3 capsules
- Servings per contains: 30
Amount per serving: 1500mg
*Proprietary blend containing pure herbal extracts of:
Amomum villosum fruit (Xi Sharen), Aconitum carmichaelii lateral root cured (Fuzi), Glycyrrhiza glabra root honey baked (Zhi Gancao), Plastrum testudinis (Guiban)
* % Daily value not established
Other ingredients: living green clay excipient, vegetable capsule