熟地黄（八两） 山茱萸（去核，炙） 山药（各四两） 泽泻 牡丹皮（去木） 白
茯苓（各
三两） 黄柏（盐炒） 知母（盐炒，各二两）
肾劳，背难俯仰，小便不利，有余沥，囊湿生疮，小腹里急，便赤黄者，此方主之。
肾者，藏精之脏也。若人强力入房，以竭其精，久久则成肾劳。肾主精，精主封填骨髓
，肾精以入房而竭，则骨髓日枯矣，故背难俯仰。前阴者，肾之窍，肾气足，则能管摄小便，
而溺溺惟宜。肾气怯，则欲便而不利，既便而有余沥，斯之谓失其开合之常也。肾者水脏，
传化失宜，则水气留之，水气留之，则生湿热，故令囊湿生疮也。小腹里急者，此真水枯而
真火无制。真水枯，则命门之相火无所畏，真火无制，故灼膀胱少腹之筋膜而作里急也。便
赤黄者，亦皆火之所为。熟地、山萸，味浓者也，味浓为阴中之阴，故足以补肾间之阴血。
山药、茯苓，甘淡者也，甘能制湿，淡能渗湿，故足以去肾虚之阴湿。泽泻、丹皮，咸寒者
也，咸能润下，寒能胜热，故足以去肾间之湿热。黄柏、知母，苦润者也，润能滋阴，苦
能济火，故足以服龙雷之相火。夫去其灼阴之火，滋其济火之水，则肾间之精血日生矣。王
冰曰∶壮水之主，以制阳光。此之谓也。
Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shu Dihuang, 8 liang), Cornus Officinalis Fructus (Shanzhuyu, pitted and stir-fried), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao, each 4 liang), Alisma Orientale Rhizoma (Zexie), Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi, free of wood), Poria (Baifuling, each 3 liang), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai, salt-stir-fried), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu, salt-stir-fried, each 2 liang).
This formula is indicated for Shen Lao (Kidney Exhaustion due to sexual overindulgence), characterized by difficulty in bending or extending the back, dysuria, post-void dribbling, damp scrotum with sores, urgency and tightness in the lower abdomen, and dark yellow urine.
The Kidney is the zang organ that stores Jing (Essence). If one engages in strenuous sexual activity, depleting the Jing, it will eventually lead to Kidney Exhaustion. The Kidney governs Jing, and Jing primarily fills the Marrow. When Kidney Jing is depleted by sexual intercourse, the Marrow becomes increasingly dry day by day; hence, there is difficulty in bending or extending the back. The anterior yin (external genitalia and urethral opening) is the orifice of the Kidney. When Kidney Qi is sufficient, it can control and regulate urination, making it smooth and appropriate. When Kidney Qi is weak, one may desire to urinate but cannot, or experience dribbling after voiding; this is referred to as losing the normal rhythm of opening and closing. The Kidney is a Water organ. If its transmission and transformation functions are impaired, Water Qi will stagnate. Stagnant Water Qi generates Damp-Heat, leading to a damp scrotum with sores. Urgency and tightness in the lower abdomen occur because True Water (Kidney Yin) is depleted and True Fire (Mingmen Fire) is uncontrolled. When True Water is depleted, the Ministerial Fire of Mingmen has nothing to fear; when Ministerial Fire is uncontrolled, it scorches the fascia of the Bladder and lower abdomen, causing internal urgency. Dark yellow urine is also caused by Fire. Prepared Rehmanniae Radix and Cornus Officinalis Fructus have rich flavors; rich flavors belong to Yin within Yin, thus they are sufficient to tonify the Yin and Blood in the Kidney region. Dioscoreae Rhizoma and Poria have sweet and bland flavors; sweetness can restrain Dampness, and blandness can leach out Dampness, thus they are sufficient to remove Yin-Dampness resulting from Kidney deficiency. Alisma Orientale Rhizoma and Moutan Cortex are salty and cold; saltiness can moisten and direct downwards, and coldness can overcome Heat, thus they are sufficient to eliminate Damp-Heat in the Kidney region. Phellodendri Cortex and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma are bitter and moistening; moistening can nourish Yin, and bitterness can assist Fire (here referring to bitter-cold herbs that drain fire and preserve yin), thus they are sufficient to subdue the Dragon-Lei Ministerial Fire (hyperactive Ministerial Fire). By removing the Fire that scorches Yin and nourishing the Water that controls Fire, the Essence and Blood in the Kidney region will daily increase. Wang Bing said: "Strengthen the master of Water to control the sunlight." This is what is meant.