What are the seven ingredients of the Huyuan Shengyang Formula?

Generally speaking, there is no standard formulation specifying exactly seven ingredients in the "Huyuan Shengyang Fang" (a traditional Chinese medicine prescription). Huyuan Shengyang Fang is a herbal formula used to regulate conditions of deficient kidney yang and insufficient kidney qi. Commonly included herbs are ginseng, deer antler, softshell turtle shell, dried rehmannia root, and goji berries. It is recommended to use this formula under the guidance of a physician according to prescribed dosages. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Ginseng

Ginseng is a perennial herb belonging to the Araliaceae family and Panax genus. It has a warm nature with a sweet, slightly bitter, and mildly warming taste. Ginseng is known to enhance myocardial contractility, dilate blood vessels, and boost immune function.

2. Deer Antler (Lu Rong)

Deer antler is made from the immature, non-ossified horns of young male deer, such as those from sika deer or red deer. It has a sweet, salty taste and warm nature. This herb is believed to tonify kidney yang and can help improve symptoms caused by kidney yang deficiency, such as impotence, premature ejaculation, and weakness or soreness in the lower back and knees.

3. Softshell Turtle Shell (Bie Jia)

Bie Jia refers to the carapace (dorsal shell) of the softshell turtle (Trionychidae family). It has a salty taste and slightly cold nature. It is traditionally used for nourishing yin and moistening dryness, helping to alleviate symptoms of kidney yin deficiency such as dry mouth, sore throat, dizziness, and tinnitus.

4. Dried Rehmannia Root (Di Huang)

Dried rehmannia root comes from the tuberous roots of Rehmannia glutinosa, a plant in the Scrophulariaceae family. It has a sweet and slightly bitter taste with a slightly cold nature. Prepared rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) is believed to nourish the blood and calm the spirit, helping to relieve insomnia, anxiety, and palpitations.

5. Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)

Goji berries are the mature fruits of Lycium barbarum, a plant in the Solanaceae family. They have a sweet taste and neutral nature. Goji berries possess antioxidant properties and may help slow cellular aging while supporting the health of the skin and internal organs.

When taking Huyuan Shengyang Fang, it is advisable to avoid spicy and stimulating foods. Instead, consume light, easily digestible foods such as steamed egg custard, rice porridge, and yam congee, which can aid in the absorption of the medicine's therapeutic effects.