Epimedium (Yinyanghuo)

Epimedium (Yinyanghuo)

Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Epimedii
Botanical Name: Epimedium koreanum Nakai
Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb. Et Zucc.) Maxim.
Epimedium brevicornum Maxim
Epimedium pubescens Maxim.
Common Name:Epimedium
Source of Earliest Record: Haiyao Bencao
art Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The aerial part of the herb is gathered in spring and autumn, dried in the sun and cut into pieces.
Properties and Taste: Pungent, sweet and warm
Meridian: Liver and kidney
Functions: To tonify the kidneys and strengthen yang
To expel wind and dampness
Indications and Combinations: 1.     Deficient kidney yang manifested as impotence, weakness of the lower back and knees and frequent urination.
*Use with Curculigo rhizome (Xianmao) and Prepared rehmannia root (Shudihuang).
2. Cold pain in the lower back and knees and numbness of limbs due to obstruction by invasion of wind-cold-damp.
*Use with Clematis root (Weilingxian), Eucommia bark (Duzhong) and Cinnamon twigs (Guizhi).
Dosage: 10-15 g
Cautions: This herb is contraindicated in cases with deficiency of yin with excessive fire.