淮熟地黄（八两） 山茱萸肉 山药（各四两） 牡丹皮 白茯苓 泽泻（各三两） 肉
桂
附子（各一两）
肾间水火俱虚者，此方主之。
君子观象于坎，而知肾俱水火之道焉，故曰七节之旁，中有小心。小心，少火也。又曰
∶肾有两枚，左为肾，右为命门。命门，相火也，相火即少火耳。夫一阳居于二阴为坎，水
火并而为肾，此人生与天地相似也。今人入房盛而阳事愈举者，阴虚火动也。阳事先萎者，
命门火衰也。真水竭，则隆冬不寒。真火息，则盛夏不热，故人乐有药饵焉。是方也，熟地、
山
所以益命门相火。水火得其养，则二肾复其天矣。互考见小便不禁门。
杜仲（姜汁炒） 牛膝 陈皮（各二两） 黄柏（盐酒炒） 龟板（酥炙，各四两） 夏
加五味
子（一两，炒） 冬加干姜（五钱）
此亦滋肾阴之方也。
黄柏、龟板、杜仲、牛膝，皆濡润味浓物也，故能降而补阴。复用陈皮，假以疏滞。夏
加
黄柏 龟板（各四两） 杜仲 牛膝 陈皮（各二两） 夏加五味子（炒，一两） 冬
加干姜
（五钱） 人胞（一具，酒洗，蒸烂捣丸）
男女交合非时，天癸虚损者，此方主之。
此即前方补肾丸加人胞也。天癸者，男之精，女之血，先天得之以成形，后天得之以有
生者也，故曰天癸。补肾丸，前考已悉。人胞者，亦精血之所融结，乃无极之极未生之天也。
已生之后，天癸虚损，补以草木之药，非其类也。卒难责效。人胞名曰混沌皮，则亦天耳。
以先天之天。而补后天之天，所谓补以类也，故曰补天。
[Cui's Eight-Ingredient Pill / Kidney-Tonifying Pill / Heaven-Replenishing Pill]
Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shu Dihuang) [8 liang], Corni Fructus (Shanzhuyu Rou), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao) [4 liang each], Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi), Poria (Baifuling), Alisma Rhizoma (Zexie) [3 liang each], Cinnamon Twig (Rougui), Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) [1 liang each].
For conditions where both the Water and Fire within the Kidney are deficient, this formula is indicated.
The gentleman observes the image of Kan (the trigram for Water), thereby understanding that the Kidneys encompass both Water and Fire; thus it is said, "Beside the seventh vertebra, there lies the 'Small Heart'." The "Small Heart" refers to Shao Huo (Ministerial Fire/Physiological Mild Yang). It is also stated: "There are two Kidneys; the left is the Kidney, and the right is the Mingmen (Gate of Life)." The Mingmen is Xiang Huo (Ministerial Fire), which is essentially Shao Huo. One Yang line situated between two Yin lines forms the Kan trigram; Water and Fire combine to constitute the Kidney function, mirroring the similarity between human life and Heaven and Earth. Currently, if a person engages in excessive sexual activity yet experiences heightened sexual arousal, it is due to Yin deficiency causing hyperactive fire. If sexual function declines prematurely or becomes flaccid, it is due to the decline of Mingmen Fire. When True Water (True Yin) is exhausted, it resembles mid-winter lacking coldness (indicating imbalance); when True Fire (True Yang) extinguishes, it resembles midsummer lacking heat (indicating extreme Yang deficiency and lack of warmth); hence, people rely on medicinal herbs for regulation. In this formula, Prepared Rehmanniae Radix, Corni Fructus, and Dioscoreae Rhizoma nourish Kidney Yin, while Cinnamon Twig and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata assist the Ministerial Fire of the Mingmen. By nurturing both Water and Fire, the two Kidneys can restore their innate foundation. For related discussions, refer to the section on "Incontinence of Urine."
Eucommiae Cortex (Duzhong, stir-fried with ginger juice), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) [2 liang each], Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai, stir-fried with salted wine), Testudinis et Chelonis Carapax et Plastrum (Guiban, roasted with rendered fat) [4 liang each]. Add Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi, stir-fried, 1 liang) in summer; add Zingiberis Rhizoma (Ganjiang, 5 qian) in winter.
This is also a formula for nourishing Kidney Yin.
Phellodendri Cortex, Testudinis et Chelonis Carapax et Plastrum, Eucommiae Cortex, and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix are all moistening and rich substances, capable of descending and tonifying Yin. Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium is added to facilitate the dispersion of stagnation. In summer, Schisandrae Fructus is added for astringency; in winter, Zingiberis Rhizoma is added to warm the middle and dispel cold.
Phellodendri Cortex, Testudinis et Chelonis Carapax et Plastrum [4 liang each], Eucommiae Cortex, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium [2 liang each]. Add Schisandrae Fructus (stir-fried, 1 liang) in summer; add Zingiberis Rhizoma (5 qian) in winter. Human Placenta (Renbao, one unit, washed with wine, steamed until soft, mashed into pills).
For conditions where non-timely sexual intercourse leads to deficiency and damage of Tiangui (Heavenly Water/Substances governing reproductive maturity), this formula is indicated.
This is the aforementioned Kidney-Tonifying Pill plus Human Placenta. Tiangui refers to semen in men and menstrual blood in women; it is relied upon in the pre-heaven stage to form the body structure and in the post-heaven stage to sustain life, hence the name Tiangui. The Kidney-Tonifying Pill has been detailed in previous examinations. The Human Placenta is also a fusion of essence and blood, representing the state before birth at the ultimate limit of Wuji (Non-Limit). After birth, if Tiangui is deficient, using herbal medicines (plant-based) is not congruent with its nature, making it difficult to achieve rapid efficacy. The Human Placenta is also called "Hundun Pi" (Skin of Chaos), embodying Heaven itself. Using the pre-heaven "Heaven" (Placenta) to tonify the post-heaven "Heaven" (human reproductive function) is known as "tonifying by similarity," hence it is called "Replenishing Heaven."