Library

The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "The Kidney is the official responsible for strength and vigor, and dexterity arises from it." Generally, the function of the Kidney manifests as "strength and vigor" in men, and as "dexterity" in women. However, it is a prerequisite that men possess the capacity for strength and vigor before women can exert their dexterity. Therefore, those seeking offspring should certainly nourish the menstruation and blood of women, but even more so, they should tonify the essence and marrow of men to serve as the foundation for strength and vigor. The drugs recorded in medical texts to assist the Kidney, such as Hippocampus (Sea Horse), Hyracoidea Ren (Hyrax Kidney), and Gecko, although they can temporarily enhance a man's strength and vigor, are actually substances that damage the Kidney and should not be tried lightly. Only Deer Antler Glue (Lujiaojiao) is considered by medical texts to be a key item for tonifying the Kidney; however, it can only tonify the Yang Qi within the Kidney, and long-term use may also produce adverse effects. Only the glue boiled from Deer Antler, referred to as Baijiao (White Glue) in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), possesses properties that tonify both Yin and Yang, greatly benefiting the Kidneys. Therefore, Baijiao is listed as a superior grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*, while Deer Antler is only listed in the middle grade. I once treated a person nearing fifty years of age who suffered from pain in his left leg due to cold invasion. I instructed him to dissolve and swallow three qian of Deer Antler Glue daily. After two months, we met again, and he said that after taking Deer Antler Glue for half a month, the leg pain had ceased. However, since taking this medicine, he developed a condition of frequent erections, so he stopped taking it. I said, "This is not a disease, but rather the Kidneys becoming robust due to the medication." From this, the utility of Deer Antler Glue can be understood. If a person has severely deficient Ministerial Fire (Xianghuo) and constantly feels cold in the Lower Jiao, Raw Sulfur (Sheng Liuhuang) can be taken together with it. Deer Antler Glue should still be dissolved in the mouth. Additionally, before each meal, take 3 fen of powdered Raw Sulfur, gradually increasing the dose based on experience, until a slight warmth is felt after some time.

The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) states that at the location of the Mingmen (Gate of Life), men store essence, and women anchor the Bao (uterus). The Bao is the uterine chamber, connected to the Kidney system and linked to the Mingmen. Western physiologists have newly discovered that this area corresponds to the adrenal medulla, and further stated that it is the mechanism for ejaculation; thus, Chinese and Western theories agree here. It is also said that the secretion of the adrenal medulla is called adrenaline, and chicken egg yolk indeed contains this substance, which can be used to supplement a deficiency of adrenaline. I have experimented with this theory, and it is indeed credible. The prescription uses one to three raw chicken egg yolks, mixed with boiling water for ingestion. Do not let them cook; if cooked, they will be ineffective.

I once formulated a prescription to strengthen the Kidneys, using Jian Lotus Seeds (Jian Lianzi) with the hearts removed, ground into powder, and roasted. Then, mix with pig or sheep spinal cord to make pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take two qian per dose, twice daily. Regular use has a significant effect in strengthening the Kidneys, so I named this prescription Qiangshen Ruilian Wan (Kidney-Strengthening Auspicious Lotus Pill). Generally speaking, any animal with a spine must have a pouch-like structure within the spine, which is the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). The fluid stored within is the spinal cord, which is also what Westerners call adrenaline, thus assisting the Kidneys in performing functions of strength and vigor. Moreover, the pouch of the Du Mai connects upwards to the brain. In all animals, horns are connected to the brain; deer antlers are the largest, indicating the strength of their Du Mai. Therefore, using Deer Antler Glue to tonify the Kidneys follows the same principle as using pig or sheep spinal cord to tonify the Kidneys.

The Kidney governs the bones. Walnut Kernel (Hetao Ren) is best at tonifying the Kidneys. When people eat sour foods and their teeth become soft, eating walnuts cures it, because teeth are the surplus of bone, originally governed by the Kidney, hence this effect. This is clear evidence of its ability to tonify the Kidneys. Ancient formulas use it to treat deficiency-cold of the Kidney Meridian, combined with Psoralea Fruit (Buguzhi), claiming the wonder of Wood generating Fire (Walnut belongs to Wood, Buguzhi belongs to Fire). For deficiency-cold of the Kidney Meridian causing diarrhea, bone flaccidity, and leg pain, it is effective, truly an excellent formula.

Goji Berry (Gouqi) is also an important herb for strengthening the Kidneys, hence the folk saying, "Do not eat Goji berries if you live a thousand miles away from your neighbor." However, those prone to nocturnal emissions should not take it alone or for a long time, as it tends to stimulate erections. Only when taken together with Cornus Fruit (Shanzhuyu) does it avoid this drawback.

The nature of Zixiaohua (Cibotium Barometz Stamen) is often regarded by people as an aphrodisiac drug, unaware of its great merit in warming and tonifying the Lower Jiao. For diarrhea caused by deficiency-cold of the Lower Jiao that does not respond to other medicines, taking Zixiaohua often leads to recovery, demonstrating its ability to greatly tonify the Yuan Qi (Original Qi) of the Kidneys. Long-term use can make the whole body strong. If heat is felt in the Upper Jiao after taking it, add a small amount of Rehmannia Root (Sheng Dihuang). However, it should be made into pills or powders, not decocted in soup. I once treated a person over forty years old who was emaciated, with a fine and subtle pulse, suffering from occasional diarrhea and inability to perform sexual functions vigorously. He was instructed to take powdered Zixiaohua, 2.5 qian per dose, twice daily; and casually chew 5-6 qian of Goji Berries. After two months, his physique suddenly became strong, and both diarrhea and flaccidity were cured. Upon re-examination, his pulse had significantly improved. Furthermore, whereas he previously felt his spirit and mental power declining day by day, since taking this medicine, he felt them increasing day by day.