Can Rehmannia glutinosa, Astragalus complanatus, and Paeonia lactiflora be used together to nourish the liver and kidneys?
Aug 01, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
If symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, or tinnitus—indicative of liver and kidney yin deficiency—are present, combining these three herbs in an appropriate ratio may help nourish the liver and kidneys, especially if symptoms gradually improve after administration and no adverse reactions occur. However, if the individual does not have a liver and kidney yin deficiency constitution, or if the dosage is excessive or the herb ratio is improperly balanced, it may lead to physical discomfort.
Generally, Rehmannia glutinosa (Sh熟地黄), Astragalus complanatus (Sh沙苑子), and Paeonia lactiflora (B白芍) may assist in nourishing the liver and kidneys when used together under conditions of mild symptoms of liver and kidney yin deficiency. However, if the syndrome differentiation does not match or the dosage is inappropriate, these herbs may fail to exert their nourishing effects on the liver and kidneys. Detailed analysis is as follows:
If symptoms of liver and kidney yin deficiency such as soreness and weakness of the waist and knees or dizziness and tinnitus are present, using these three herbs in an appropriate ratio may help nourish the liver and kidneys, provided symptoms gradually improve after administration and no adverse reactions occur.
If the individual does not have a constitution of liver and kidney yin deficiency, or if the dosage is excessive or the proportion of the herbs is imbalanced, it may lead to physical discomfort, fail to improve symptoms of liver and kidney deficiency, and even exacerbate existing problems, thus failing to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Before using these three herbs, one should clearly identify their own constitution and symptoms, determine the dosage and combination under professional guidance, monitor physical reactions during the course of treatment, and discontinue use promptly and consult a physician if discomfort occurs or symptoms fail to improve.
