Yin Yang Huo

Epimedium

YIN YANG HUO, also known as XIAN LING PI, horny goat weed, rowdy sheep plant, randy bull grass, barrenwort, bishop's hat, and fairy wings, is a genus of the family Berberidaceae.

The leaf and stems that are used as medicine.

Though it is considered a Chinese herb, its use as a supplement for libido is known worldwide.

YIN YANG HUO's TCM Functions

• Supports reproductive Qi
• Tonifies Kidney 
• Fortifies the YANG
• Expels Wind-Cold Dampness
• Tonifies Kidney YIN
• Harnesses Ascendent Liver YANG

You can Improve YIN YANG HUO by Combining it:

• For Kidney deficient impotence and infertility combine with WU WEI ZI (schisandra) and  SHA YUAN JI LI (astragalus seed).
• For pain, stiffness, and spasms in the extremities combine with SANG JI SHENG (loranthus) 
• For palor, low back pain, and dizziness caused by Deficient Yin and Ascending Liver YANG combine withXIAN MAO, ZHI MU, and HUANG BAI

Dosage & Administration of Yin Yang Huo

Granules: 1-2 grams, taken 2-3 times a day, best on an empty stomach

Whole Herbs: Using a container made of ceramic, glass, or stainless steel (no aluminum, iron or copper) boil 50 grams of Yin Yang Huo for about 20 minutes, in 1-2 quarts of water until 2 cups of medicine remain. Strain herbs. Drink 1 cup in the AM. And 1 cup in the PM. You must refrigerate the liquid between doses and reheat to room temperature before taking. Good quality herbs can be boiled a second time, so you can re-boil the following day, using the saved herbs from the refrigerator.  Note that on the second boiling you will need less water, as the leaves will have absorbed water from the first day's cooking.

Tips on Boiling Chinese Herbal Decoctions

The potent odors and flavors of Chinese herbs are legendary. Boiling the herbs and drinking the tea will provide the fullest experience of these medicines. 

Boiling times are averaged according to the composition of the formula. Flower and leaf, such as Yin Yang Huo, will yield medicine in 5 -20 minutes. Branches cook for 10-30 minutes, roots take 20 to 40 minutes; Shells and minerals must cook for at least one hour. A few herbs, like mint or tangerine peel, must be quick-boiled for only 1-5 minutes and are added separately to the boiling mixture just before completion.  Certain herbs, like powdered minerals and tree saps, are not boiled, but stirred into to the hot strained decoction.

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is very potent, but can also be complex; Self diagnosis and treatment are NOT recommended.  Best to find a nearby practitioner.  If none are available, you may purchase an e-mail/phone consultation at http://www.drshen.com/consultation.html