Yín Yáng Huò (淫羊藿), known in English as Epimedium/Horny goat weed (Epimedium grandiflorum), is a warm, acrid and sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify yang category. It enters the Kidney and Liver channels. Its main action: tonifies Kidney Yang, strengthens sinews and bones.
| Pinyin | Yín Yáng Huò (Yin Yang Huo) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 淫羊藿 |
| English | Epimedium/Horny goat weed |
| Botanical name | Epimedium grandiflorum |
| Category | Tonify yang |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Sweet |
| Channels | Kidney, Liver |
| Dosage | 6–15g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; excess Fire |
Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang, strengthens sinews and bones
- Expels Wind-Cold-Damp
Indications
- Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, cold limbs, urinary frequency
- Wind-Cold-Damp Bi
- Osteoporosis
- Menopausal syndrome
How to remember Yín Yáng Huò
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: like most Tonify yang herbs
- Kidney channel: from its action “Tonifies Kidney Yang”
- Liver channel: from its action “strengthens sinews and bones”
- Learn by heart
- Acrid: unusual for Tonify yang herbs (most are sweet)
Other Tonify yang herbs
- Dù Zhòng
- Lù Róng
- Xiān Máo
- Bǔ Gǔ Zhī
- Tù Sī Zǐ
- Bā Jǐ Tiān
- Suǒ Yáng
- 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 Yín Yáng Huò?
Yín Yáng Huò is warm and acrid and sweet.
Which channels does Yín Yáng Huò enter?
Yín Yáng Huò enters the Kidney and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Yín Yáng Huò?
Tonifies Kidney Yang, strengthens sinews and bones; Expels Wind-Cold-Damp.
What is Yín Yáng Huò used for?
Kidney Yang deficiency: impotence, cold limbs, urinary frequency; Wind-Cold-Damp Bi; osteoporosis; menopausal syndrome.
Practise Yín Yáng Huò 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.