Overview

Liuwei Dihuang Pills represent one of the most studied classical TCM formulations, originating from the Song Dynasty treatise by Qian Yi. The 216-tablet concentrated pill format manufactured by Jiangxi Yaodu Zhangshu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd delivers a standardized six-herb combination — Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared), Cornus officinalis, Dioscorea opposita, Alisma orientale, Paeonia suffruticosa, and Poria cocos — in a ratio designed to nourish kidney-yin while draining deficiency-induced dampness. For B2B importers serving TCM clinics and integrative health retailers, this water-honey-bound pill presentation offers extended shelf stability and consistent dosing compared to raw decoction pieces.

How It Works

The formula operates through a three-tonifying, three-draining principle. Prepared Rehmannia root serves as the sovereign herb, nourishing kidney-yin and replenishing essence. Cornus fruit and Dioscorea rhizome act as ministerial herbs, stabilizing liver and spleen while supporting kidney function. The three draining herbs — Alisma, Moutan cortex, and Poria — clear damp-heat, drain ministerial fire, and leach out turbid dampness, preventing cloying stagnation. Modern pharmacological studies identify catalpol, loganin, and morroniside from Rehmannia as contributors to renoprotective effects through Nrf2 pathway activation.

Indications

Liuwei Dihuang Pills are traditionally indicated for kidney-yin deficiency presenting with soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, night sweating, seminal emission, and a red tongue with scant coating. In contemporary practice, the formula has been studied for adjunctive use in type 2 diabetes with yin-deficiency pattern, hypertensive nephropathy, and post-menopausal osteoporosis. The 216-tablet packaging provides a 27-day supply at standard dosing.

Dosage & Administration

The standard adult dose is 8 concentrated pills orally three times daily with warm water, preferably after meals. Each pill weighs approximately 0.2g of concentrated water-honey-bound extract. The 216-tablet bottle provides a full 27-day course. For maintenance therapy, the dose may be reduced to 8 pills twice daily. Pediatric dosing should be adjusted proportionally by body weight under qualified TCM practitioner guidance.

Storage & Sourcing

Store in a cool, dry place below 25 degrees Celsius, tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption and microbial growth. The water-honey binding method provides natural preservation, but the product should be protected from temperatures above 30 degrees that cause honey crystallization. B2B importers should request heavy metal testing (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury), pesticide residue screening per pharmacopoeia standards, and species authentication via HPLC fingerprinting for each of the six component herbs.

FAQ

Q: What documentation do importers need for Liuwei Dihuang Pills customs clearance? Importers should obtain the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) issued by NMPA, a GMP certificate, and a certificate of analysis including heavy metal and pesticide residue testing. For EU markets, the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Product Directive (THMPD) registration pathway applies. In the US, the product may enter as a dietary supplement with a compliant Supplement Facts panel.

Q: How does the concentrated pill form compare to traditional honeyed pills in dosing accuracy? Concentrated water-honey-bound pills undergo standardized extraction where the six herbs are decocted together, concentrated under vacuum, and formed into uniform pellets. This provides batch-to-batch consistency in active marker compounds (catalpol, loganin, paeonol) that raw honeyed pills cannot guarantee. Each batch should include HPLC quantification for at least three marker compounds.

Q: Why does the formula include draining herbs alongside tonifying herbs? Pure yin-tonifying formulas can create tonic cloying, where supplemented substances stagnate rather than integrate. The three draining herbs ensure supplemented yin is distributed and utilized rather than accumulating as pathological dampness. This balanced architecture distinguishes Liuwei Dihuang Pills from simpler single-herb tonics and accounts for its versatility across multiple deficiency patterns.