What is the difference between Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan?
Nov 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
The differences between Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan are generally reflected in aspects such as core efficacy, applicable body constitutions, medicinal ingredients, pharmacological characteristics, and clinical applications. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan primarily nourishes yin and tonifies the kidneys, focusing on enriching kidney yin and replenishing deficiencies in kidney fluids. In contrast, Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan is based on Liu Wei Di Huang Wan but adds ingredients that warm yang; its main effect is to warm and tonify kidney yang while simultaneously nourishing kidney yin.
The differences between Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan are generally reflected in core functions, applicable body constitutions, medicinal ingredients, pharmaceutical properties, clinical applications, and other aspects. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Core Functions: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan primarily nourishes yin and tonifies the kidneys, focusing on enriching kidney yin and replenishing deficiencies in kidney fluids. Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan builds upon Liu Wei Di Huang Wan by adding yang-warming components; its main function is to warm and tonify kidney yang while simultaneously nourishing kidney yin. It is a formula that supplements both yin and yang but leans toward yang warming.
2. Applicable Body Constitutions: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan suits individuals with yin-deficient constitutions and addresses symptoms caused by deficiency of kidney yin. Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan suits those with yang-deficient constitutions and targets issues arising from insufficient kidney yang. Individuals with yin deficiency should avoid this formula, as it may exacerbate internal heat.
3. Medicinal Ingredients: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan consists of six yin-nourishing herbs including Rehmannia glutinosa (Shu Di), Cornus officinalis (Shan Zhu Yu), and Dioscorea opposita (Shan Yao), without any yang-warming components. Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan adds warming herbs such as Aconite root (Fu Zi) and Cinnamon bark (Rou Gui) to the original six-ingredient base, creating a combination that both nourishes yin and warms yang.
4. Pharmaceutical Characteristics: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan has a mild, slightly cooling nature, primarily functioning to nourish yin and moisten dryness, without significant warming properties. In contrast, Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan is distinctly warm in nature, with prominent yang-warming effects; its yin-nourishing components serve only as auxiliary support, making the overall effect偏向warm supplementation.
5. Clinical Applications: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is commonly used to improve symptoms caused by kidney yin deficiency, such as dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, night sweats, and tidal fever. Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan is typically used to relieve conditions due to kidney yang deficiency, including cold intolerance, cold limbs, urinary dysfunction, and limb edema.
Selection between these two medications must be based on accurate pattern differentiation of body constitution to prevent improper use that could worsen symptoms. Patients with yin deficiency should avoid Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan, while those with yang deficiency should use Liu Wei Di Huang Wan cautiously.
