Nourish™

Unified Search · Symptom Finder · Herb Reference · Drug–Herb · Lab Test

TCM herbal formula based on Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) for Kidney yin deficiency with deficiency heat — menopause (hot flashes, night sweats, fluctuation of body temperature), eye and ear disorders (blurry vision, macular degeneration, optic nerve atrophy, glaucoma, tinnitus, diminished hearing), kidney disorders (chronic nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure), bladder (frequent urination, urinary incontinence), liver (chronic hepatitis), pancreas (diabetes mellitus), and skin dryness — nourishes Liver and Kidney yin; controls flare-ups of yin-deficient heat; regulates endocrine functions to balance hormones; restores normal functions of internal organs.

⚠️ Do NOT use for yang deficiency with intolerance of cold, cold hands and feet. Avoid stress, tension, and anxiety. Avoid cigarette smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke — dries yin and body fluids. Note: yam (Shan Yao) in this formula acts as a weak phytoestrogen and is safe regarding risks of cancer and cardiovascular diseases — in contrast to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which significantly increases risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer.

TCM pathophysiology: Chronic or consumptive disorders are characterized by weakness, dryness, and atrophy of the glands or organs — diagnosed in TCM as “yin deficiency.” Kidney yin deficiency manifests as hot flashes, fluctuation of body temperature, night sweats, tinnitus, blurred vision, dry eyes, dizziness, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, vertigo, diminished hearing, heat sensations, thirst, and dryness of mucous membranes. Aging itself is a sign of Kidney yin deficiency. Most patients with chronic or debilitating illness have an underlying Kidney yin deficiency — Nourish can change the fundamental constitution of these patients so they respond better to overall treatment.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Menopause: hot flashes, night sweats, fluctuation of body temperature

* Kidney yin deficiency with mild deficiency heat:

§ Eyes and ears: blurry vision, dizziness, general visual disturbance, fatigue of the eyes, optic nerve atrophy, mild cases of glaucoma, macular degeneration, tinnitus, diminished hearing

§ Kidneys: chronic nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure

§ Bladder: frequent urination, urinary incontinence

§ Liver: chronic hepatitis

§ Pancreas: diabetes mellitus

§ Skin: dryness with lack of elasticity throughout the body

Background: Nourish is a contemporary formula similar to the classical formulas Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill), and Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycium Fruit, Chrysanthemum, and Rehmannia Pill). As life expectancy increases, women spend more of their life in post-menopausal years. Western medicine’s hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly increases risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer — for most physicians and patients, the risks far outweigh the benefits. Synthetic hormone can never replace endogenous hormone. TCM offers a gentle yet effective alternative — Chinese herbs have demonstrated via numerous in vivo and in vitro studies to markedly alleviate hot flashes, vasomotor instability, loss of bone mass, and other menopausal conditions, with a much gentler and safer profile.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata): tonifies Kidney yin and Kidney jing (essence) — chief herb of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

— Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni): nourishes the Liver; prevents leakage of Kidney jing (essence); auditory function — ursolic acid protects auditory cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity through inhibition of lipid peroxidation and induction of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathione peroxidase)

— Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae): tonifies the Spleen; stabilizes Kidney jing (essence); antidiabetic — lowers blood glucose levels; controls the normally sharp increase of blood glucose following intraperitoneal injection of glucose; phytoestrogen — acts as a weak phytoestrogen and protects against proliferation in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells; reduces risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women

— Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis): clears deficiency fire from the Kidney; hepatoprotective — treats non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high-fat diet; decreases serum and liver lipids; reduces fasting serum glucose; improves insulin resistance

— Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan): sedates Liver fire

— Fu Ling (Poria): dissolves dampness from the Spleen; antihyperglycemic — reduces postprandial blood glucose levels via enhanced insulin sensitivity in streptozocin-induced diabetes

— Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae): sedates deficiency fire; antidiabetic and hypoglycemic — lowers blood glucose through increased insulin secretion and decreased insulin resistance

— Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis): sedates deficiency fire; berberine — reduces inflammation by inhibiting production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α in HepG2 cells

— Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii): benefits the eyes; treats dry and blurry vision by nourishing Liver and Kidney yin; zeaxanthin — prevents age-related macular degeneration (irreversible loss of central vision) in up-to-date human trial; hepatoprotective — protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity via antioxidative activity and CYP2E1 regulation; antidiabetic — lowers fasting plasma insulin; ameliorates insulin resistance; significantly increases insulin sensitive index in NIDDM; glycoconjugates — antiapoptotic and antioxidant properties; promotes survival of human dermal fibroblasts (skin protection); improves sperm count and sperm motility

— Ju Hua (Flos Chrysanthemi): benefits the eyes; treats dry and blurry vision by nourishing Liver and Kidney yin

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Endocrine / hormonal regulation — regulates endocrine functions to balance estrogen and testosterone; treats disorders of declining ovarian and testicular function; Liu Wei Di Huang Wan: 23 menopause patients — marked improvement in 9, moderate improvement in 14 (hot flashes, tidal fever, perspiration, palpitations, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, forgetfulness); Qi Ju Di Huang Wan: 144 women with menopausal symptoms — complete recovery in 12, significant improvement in 48, moderate improvement in 32

* Ocular / auditory — Gou Qi Zi / zeaxanthin (prevents age-related macular degeneration); Shan Zhu Yu / ursolic acid (protects auditory cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity); clinical: 140 patients with retinitis — complete recovery in 22, significant improvement in 21, moderate improvement in 70 (treatment duration 30–118 days, average 57 days)

* Renal / kidney — Liu Wei Di Huang Wan: increases blood perfusion to kidneys; improves kidney functions; reduces protein and uric acid in urine; clinical: 6 patients with edema and proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome); 12 patients with chronic renal failure; 30 patients with nephrotic syndrome

* Hepatoprotective — Gou Qi Zi (carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity; oxidative stress); Ze Xie (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; lipids↓, fasting glucose↓, insulin resistance↓); Huang Bo / berberine (IL-1β↓, TNF-α↓ in HepG2 cells); Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (protects against carbon tetrachloride, thioacetamide, prednisolone-induced liver damage); clinical: 65 patients with chronic hepatitis

* Antidiabetic / hypoglycemic — Fu Ling (postprandial blood glucose↓ via enhanced insulin sensitivity); Gou Qi Zi (fasting plasma insulin↓; insulin resistance↓; insulin sensitive index↑ in NIDDM); Shan Yao (blood glucose↓); Shan Zhu Yu (promotes islet proliferation; increases postprandial insulin secretion; accelerates glucose transport in NIDDM); Zhi Mu (insulin secretion↑; insulin resistance↓); clinical: adult-onset diabetes, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, diabetes with complications

* Reproductive / fertility — Gou Qi Zi (sperm count↑; sperm motility↑); Liu Wei Di Huang Wan: impotence in 18 men (complete recovery 12, improvement 4); 30 male infertility patients (83.3% effective); Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan: 220 men with infertility (92.2% effective); infertility in 16 males and 26 females ages 22–37

* Dermatological / skin — Gou Qi Zi glycoconjugates (antiapoptotic and antioxidant; promotes survival of human dermal fibroblasts); treats dryness of skin, dry mouth, dry nose, constipation in geriatric patients; spontaneous perspiration

* Bladder / urinary — treats frequent urination associated with declining bladder functions

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Nourishes Liver and Kidney yin; tonifies Kidney jing (essence) (Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, Shan Yao, Gou Qi Zi, Ju Hua)

* Controls flare-ups of yin-deficient heat; sedates deficiency fire (Ze Xie, Mu Dan Pi, Zhi Mu, Huang Bo)

* Dissolves dampness from the Spleen (Fu Ling)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. For prevention of chronic and recurrent infections in the genito-urinary region: 2–3 capsules three times daily.

Supplementary formulas: Menopause with deficiency heat (hot flashes and irritability) — add Balance (Heat). Vaginal dryness — add Balance Spring. Kidney yin deficiency without deficiency fire — use Kidney Tonic (Yin) instead. Irritability, stress, or anxiety — add Calm. Menopause with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and underlying deficiency — add Calm ZZZ. Osteoporosis — add Osteo 8. Excess fire with severe hot flashes — add Gardenia Complex. Constitutional tonic — add Imperial Tonic. Back pain — add Back Support (CR). Dry hair, premature gray hair, or hair loss — add Polygonum 14. General deterioration in mental and physical functions — use Neuro Plus. Hypertension — add Gastrodia Complex. Irregular menstrual bleeding — add Notoginseng 9. Chemotherapy and/or radiation side effects — use C/R Support. Acute attacks of herpes or urinary tract infection — use Gentiana Complex. Forgetfulness and memory improvement — add Enhance Memory. Adrenal insufficiency — add Adrenal+. Lack of sexual interest or sexual dysfunction — add Vitality. Constitutional deficiency — add Cordyceps 3. Visual disturbances, blurriness, redness, or pain — add Lycium Support.

Nutrition: Eat a variety of fresh organic fruits and vegetables of all colors. Incorporate more high-fiber whole grains and nuts. Drink warm or hot liquids with meals. Foods with antioxidant effects (vitamins A, C, and E): citrus fruits, carrots, green leafy vegetables, and green tea. Increase intake of foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness: yam, radishes, potatoes, carrots, melons, cucumbers, beets, turnips, malanga, celeriac, taro, and rutabaga. Avoid fast food, processed foods, artificial colors or sugars, carbonated drinks, greasy food, alcohol, caffeinated and energy drinks. Avoid spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables: pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, mustard, chili pepper, and wasabi. Avoid fruits that produce heat: mango and durian.

Tao of Nutrition:

— Menopause: black beans, sesame seeds, soybeans, walnuts, lycium berries, mulberries, yams, licorice, lotus seeds, and chrysanthemum flowers. Avoid stress, tension, and all stimulants.

— Tinnitus: black sesame seeds, black beans, walnuts, grapes, celery, oyster shells, pearl barley, azuki beans, Chinese black dates, yams, lotus seeds, chestnuts, and chrysanthemum. Avoid loud noise, stress, stimulating foods, spicy foods, smoking, alcohol, and coffee.

— Cataract: chrysanthemum, cilantro, spinach, cloves, water chestnuts, yams, lycium berries, black beans. Exercise the eyes regularly. Avoid spices, salt, and garlic.

CASE STUDIES

— J.M., 54-year-old female: Hot flashes especially bad at night — waking up constantly; Kidney yin deficiency; menopause. Nourish + Balance (Heat) up to 5 caps 3x daily. Result at 4 weeks: duration of hot flashes shorter; sleeping through the night.

— P.I., 46-year-old female: Spotting and uterine bleeding between menstrual cycles; irregular short cycles (15–27 days); heavy bleeding; night sweats; perimenopausal syndrome; Liver and Kidney yin deficiencies with deficiency heat. Calm (ES) + Nourish + Notoginseng 9 for 6 months. Result: Notoginseng 9 stopped irregular bleeding; Nourish helped with night sweats; periods returned to normal; anxiety much better since adding Nourish.

— J.C., 57-year-old female: Nervousness, insomnia, anxiety; night sweats; Kidney yin deficiency with heat; menopause and hypothyroidism. Nourish daily + Shine + Calm as needed. Result at 6 months: improved sleep; calmer and more balanced overall.

— L.C., 50-year-old female: Macular degeneration; tinnitus; low back and abdominal pain; Liver and Kidney yin deficiencies. Nourish + Mense-Ease. Result at 2 months: no more pain with menses; felt better overall.

— A.S., 29-year-old female (PCOS): Multiple sacs, no ripening of eggs, irregular cycles; two unsuccessful IUIs; cystic ovaries; Spleen and Kidney deficiencies. Blossom (Phases 1–4) + Imperial Tonic + Nourish for 6 months. Result: normal cycles re-established; cystic ovaries reduced; successful IUI — 2 months pregnant.

— 27-year-old female: Genital herpes with thick white discharge; damp-heat in the Liver. Nourish + Gentiana Complex. Result: decrease in symptoms noted; symptoms flared when formulas stopped.

— 50-year-old male: Hearing loss, ringing in the ear, diminished hearing; Kidney yin deficiency. Nourish. Result: good results.

— D.S., 45-year-old female: Insomnia, mood swings, cramps, fatigue; Spleen qi deficiency and blood deficiency. Nourish + Calm + Schisandra ZZZ. Result: sleep improved; moods balanced; energy increased.

— 53-year-old female: Anxiety, depression, cyclical bouts of rage, fatigue, severe depression; blood and yin deficiencies with Liver qi stagnation. Shine + Nourish + iron supplement. Result within first 10 days: noticeable change; felt as if “a cloud had been lifted”; sleep much better.

Related Reading

Also see: Balance (Heat) – for menopause with deficiency heat, hot flashes, and irritability | Balance Spring – for vaginal dryness | Kidney Tonic (Yin) – for Kidney yin deficiency without deficiency fire | Calm – for irritability, stress, or anxiety | Calm ZZZ – for menopause with insomnia and underlying deficiency | Osteo 8 – for osteoporosis | Gardenia Complex – for excess fire with severe hot flashes | Imperial Tonic – as a constitutional tonic | Back Support (CR) – for back pain | Polygonum 14 – for dry hair, premature gray hair, or hair loss | Neuro Plus – for general deterioration in mental and physical functions | Gastrodia Complex – for hypertension | Notoginseng 9 – for irregular menstrual bleeding | C/R Support – for chemotherapy and radiation side effects | Gentiana Complex – for acute herpes or urinary tract infection | Enhance Memory – for forgetfulness and memory improvement | Adrenal+ – for adrenal insufficiency | Vitality – for sexual dysfunction | Cordyceps 3 – for constitutional deficiency | Lycium Support – for visual disturbances | Mense-Ease – for menstrual pain | Women’s Health & Hormonal Support Collection | Kidney & Urinary Health Collection | Eye Health & Vision Collection.

Not sure if this is the right formula for you? Start with our Unified Search to search across all formulas, herbs, and conditions — or use the Symptom & Formula Finder to browse by symptom or TCM pattern — or check the Drug & Herb Alternative Reference Guide to see which pharmaceutical drugs this formula is commonly used alongside — or use our Lab Test & Formula Reference to find formulas based on abnormal lab values.