Rehmannia Eight is a faithful rendition of Eight Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia (Ba Wei Di Huang Wan), itself a modification of Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan). It is a warmer and slightly stronger Yang tonic than the base formula. Rehmannia Eight is a foundational formula to tonify the Kidney Yang, and strengthen the Kidney Essence. Kidney Yang is the Essence, the Fire, the warmth, and is a manifestation of the Mingmen Fire, or the Gate of Destiny. It is housed in the lower back and is said to correlate to the right Kidney. Kidney Essence, originating between the Kidneys is the root of Kidney Qi, the basis of constitutional strength, and the foundation of the three Treasures, Essence (Jing), Qi, and Mind (Shen). Kidney Essence is comprised of both the prenatal Essence received at birth, and postnatal Essence derived from the digestion of Gu Qi by the Spleen and Stomach. While the generalization that women tend toward Yin deficiency and men toward Yang deficiency is true, this is not always the case. Yang deficiency can be as prevalent for a man or a woman due to lifestyle or environmental influences. For instance, Kidney Yang can become damaged due to an externally cold environment or cold foods dampening the digestive Fire. Rehmannia Eight warms and tonifies Kidney Yang and Kidney Essence. The combination of prepared Rehmannia root, Asiatic cornelian cherry and Chinese yam rhizome provides the tonification for this formula. Prepared Rehmannia root strengthens and tonifies the Kidney Yin and Jing. Asiatic cornelian cherry strengthens the Liver and Kidney, tonifies the Essence and assists the Yang. Chinese yam rhizome tonifies the Qi and Yin of the Lungs, Spleen and Kidneys and secures the Essence. Asian water plantain rhizome, Tree peony root bark and Poria combine to drain Dampness accumulation and turbidity downward. Asiatic water plantain rhizome regulates the water passages, supports healthy urination, leaches out Dampness and benefits the Kidneys by draining Dampness from the Lower Burner. Tree peony root bark clears Heat due to deficiency or excess and gently invigorates Blood without injuring Blood or Yin. It also clears lurking Fire from the Blood and helps to balance the temperature of the formula. Poria supports healthy urination and drains Dampness, strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Stomach and calms the Spirit. Chinese cinnamon bark and prepared Aconite root allow the Fire of the Kidney Yang to ignite and take root. Prepared Aconite root revives devastated Yang Qi, tonifies the Fire at the Gate of Vitality, expels Cold Damp accumulations, and guides the actions of the other herbs into all twelve channels. Chinese cinnamon bark fortifies the Kidney and Spleen Yang, and warms the Heart Yang. It also disperses deep Cold, warms and unblocks the channels and vessels. It leads the Fire back to its source and is the principal herb for addressing the upward floating of deficient Yang. This formula can be combined with most other formulas whenever there is concurrent Kidney Yang deficiency. If there is concurrent Liver Qi stagnation, combine with Free and Easy Wanderer. If there is concurrent Spleen Qi deficiency, combine with Four Gentlemen or Shen Ling Spleen Support. If Blood deficiency is also present, combine with Four Substances. ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENTEight Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia (Ba Wei Di Huang Wan), itself a modification of Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan).
