Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao — Tortoise & Deer Antler Two Immortals Glue

On this page

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

Overview

Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao — the “Tortoise and Deer Two Immortals Glue” — is from Wang Kentang’s Yi Fang Kao. It is one of the most powerful and concentrated tonic formulas in the Chinese pharmacopoeia, combining four substances that together address simultaneous severe Yin, Yang, Qi and Essence depletion at the constitutional root. The two animal substances — Gui Ban Jiao (tortoise plastron glue, deep Yin) and Lu Jiao Jiao (deer antler glue, deep Yang) — are paired with Ren Shen (Qi) and Gou Qi Zi (Blood/Essence). Traditionally taken as a thick glue (jiao) prepared by long simmering. Reserved for the most depleted patients.

I prescribe Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan; both Gui Ban and Lu Jiao are from regulated, sustainable, ethically harvested sources.

TCM pattern

Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao is prescribed for severe combined Yin-Yang-Essence depletion:

• Profound chronic fatigue, weakness
• Severe lower back ache, weak knees
• Premature ageing, premature greying
• Marked low libido, infertility
• Both cold extremities and night sweats (mixed Yin-Yang deficiency)
• Severe memory and concentration decline
• Tongue — pale or red, possibly with peeled areas
• Pulse — deep, thin, weak in chi position

Key herbs

1. Lu Jiao Jiao (Colla Cornus Cervi, deer antler glue, 3–9g) — powerfully tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence
2. Gui Ban Jiao (Colla Plastri Testudinis, tortoise plastron glue, 3–9g) — powerfully nourishes Kidney Yin and Essence
3. Ren Shen (Rx. Ginseng, 6–15g) — tonifies Yuan Qi
4. Gou Qi Zi (Fr. Lycii, 9–15g) — tonifies Liver-Kidney Blood and Essence

Formula actions

1. Powerfully tonifies Kidney Yin and Yang together
2. Replenishes Essence at the constitutional root
3. Tonifies Qi and Blood
4. Restores reproductive function and reverses premature ageing patterns

Conditions treated

1. Severe Kidney Essence depletion in older adults
2. Premature ovarian insufficiency — see premature ovarian failure
3. Low AMH and diminished ovarian reserve — see low AMH
4. Severe male infertility with both Yin and Yang depletion
5. Severe andropause with libido collapse
6. Severe chronic fatigue syndrome with deep Kidney depletion
7. Recovery from prolonged severe illness with multi-system depletion
8. Premature ageing across multiple body systems

Cautions

Animal substances: Lu Jiao Jiao is from cultivated deer (deer antler is regenerated annually and harvested non-lethally); Gui Ban Jiao is from regulated farmed turtle sources (wild tortoise is endangered — pharmaceutical-grade sources use farmed Chinemys reevesii or substitutes).

For longer-term constitutional treatment; gradual improvement over months. Concentrated and potent — small doses are effective.

Not appropriate for excess patterns, acute Heat patterns, or pure Damp/Phlegm patterns — the rich nourishing substances cause stagnation in Damp patterns.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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