Da Bu Yuan Jian — Great Tonify the Source Decoction

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1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Da Bu Yuan Jian — the “Great Tonify the Source Decoction” — is from Zhang Jingyue’s Ming-dynasty Jing Yue Quan Shu. It is one of Zhang Jingyue’s signature comprehensive tonics, addressing severe Kidney Essence depletion with concurrent Yin and Yang deficiency, Qi-Blood deficiency, and Spleen weakness. Reserved for the most depleted patients — those with the constitutional “source” (Yuan) deeply consumed by chronic illness, prolonged stress, ageing or major reproductive depletion. The formula combines major Yin tonics (Shu Di, Shan Zhu Yu, Gou Qi Zi) with Qi tonics (Ren Shen, Shan Yao), Blood tonics (Dang Gui), and Yang support (Du Zhong).

I prescribe Da Bu Yuan Jian as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Da Bu Yuan Jian is prescribed for severe Kidney Essence depletion with combined Yin-Yang and Qi-Blood deficiency:

• Profound chronic fatigue and weakness
• Premature ageing signs — grey hair, hair loss, weak teeth
• Lower-back ache, weak knees
• Low libido, infertility, miscarriage history
• Memory and concentration decline
• Pale or wan complexion
• Tinnitus, dizziness
• Tongue — pale, may have peeled coat in places
• Pulse — deep, weak, especially in chi position

Key herbs

1. Ren Shen (Rx. Ginseng, 3–15g) — strongly tonifies Yuan Qi
2. Shu Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata, 9–30g) — nourishes Kidney Yin and Essence
3. Shan Zhu Yu (Fr. Corni, 6–15g) — tonifies Liver-Kidney Yin; astringes Essence
4. Shan Yao (Rz. Dioscoreae, 9–15g) — tonifies Spleen, Lung and Kidney
5. Du Zhong (Cx. Eucommiae, 6–12g) — tonifies Kidney Yang; strengthens lumbar and knees
6. Gou Qi Zi (Fr. Lycii, 6–15g) — tonifies Liver-Kidney Yin and Blood
7. Dang Gui (Rx. Angelicae Sinensis, 6–15g) — nourishes Blood
8. Zhi Gan Cao (Rx. Glycyrrhizae Preparata, 3–6g) — harmonises

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Kidney Essence at the deepest constitutional level
2. Tonifies Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang together
3. Restores the depleted “source” for chronic recovery

Conditions treated

1. Severe chronic fatigue syndrome with deep Kidney depletion
2. Premature ovarian insufficiency — see premature ovarian failure
3. Low AMH and diminished ovarian reserve — see low AMH
4. Severe male infertility with Kidney depletion
5. Premature ageing with multi-system depletion
6. Recurrent miscarriage with Kidney Essence depletion
7. Andropause with severe Kidney depletion
8. Recovery from prolonged severe illness

Cautions

For longer-term constitutional treatment; gradual improvement over months.

Not appropriate for excess patterns, acute conditions, or pure Damp/Phlegm patterns — the nourishing herbs cause stagnation in Damp patterns.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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