Suǒ Yáng (锁阳), known in English as Cynomorium (Cynomorium songaricum), is a warm, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify yang category. It enters the Liver, Kidney and Large Intestine channels. Its main action: tonifies Kidney Yang, nourishes Jing and Blood.
| Pinyin | Suǒ Yáng (Suo Yang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 锁阳 |
| English | Cynomorium |
| Botanical name | Cynomorium songaricum |
| Category | Tonify yang |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney, Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; diarrhoea |
Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang, nourishes Jing and Blood
- Moistens intestines, unblocks bowels
Indications
- Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, cold limbs
- Blood and Jing deficiency with constipation
How to remember Suǒ Yáng
Tonify yang herbs are mostly warm or hot and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Sweet, Liver channel: like most Tonify yang herbs
- Kidney channel: from its action “Tonifies Kidney Yang”
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Moistens intestines”
Other Tonify yang herbs
- Dù Zhòng
- Lù Róng
- Xiān Máo
- Yín Yáng Huò
- Bǔ Gǔ Zhī
- Tù Sī Zǐ
- Bā Jǐ Tiān
- Xù Duàn
- Ròu Cōng Róng
- Dōng Chóng Xià Cǎo
- Hé Táo Rén
- Shā Yuàn Zǐ
- Yì Zhì Rén
- Lù Jiǎo Jiāo
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Suǒ Yáng?
Suǒ Yáng is warm and sweet.
Which channels does Suǒ Yáng enter?
Suǒ Yáng enters the Liver, Kidney and Large Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Suǒ Yáng?
Tonifies Kidney Yang, nourishes Jing and Blood; Moistens intestines, unblocks bowels.
What is Suǒ Yáng used for?
Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, cold limbs; Blood and Jing deficiency with constipation.
Practise Suǒ Yáng and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.