Useful kidney tonic

 肾虚虧的腿膝痠痛

双脚浮肿、头晕、耳鸣、
心悸、夜尿多、尿频、阳痿、
皮肤时常莫名发痒。

杜仲 30g
淮牛膝 15g
黑豆 30g

五碗水小火煮一小时
三天一次

For symptoms:
Kidney deficiency leading to sore and weak knees, leg pain, swollen feet, dizziness, tinnitus (ear ringing), palpitations, frequent or nighttime urination, impotence, and unexplained skin itching.

Herbal Formula:

• 杜仲 (Dù Zhòng) – 30g

• 淮牛膝 (Huái Niú Xī) – 15g

• 黑豆 (Hēi Dòu / Black Soybean) – 30g

Preparation:

• Add the herbs into 5 bowls of water

• Simmer over low heat for 1 hour

• Take once every 3 days

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🌿 Herbal Analysis

1. 杜仲 (Duzhong / Eucommia Bark)

   • TCM Function:
     Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, strengthens tendons and bones, and calms the fetus.

   • Usefulness in this formula:
     Helps relieve lower back and knee pain, weakness of legs, and impotence due to Kidney deficiency.

   • Nature: Warm and sweet.

   • Meridians: Liver, Kidney.

2. 淮牛膝 (Huai Niuxi / Achyranthes Root)

   • TCM Function:
     Tonifies Liver and Kidneys, strengthens bones and sinews, promotes blood circulation, and guides fire and blood downward.

   • Usefulness in this formula:
     Directs tonifying effects to the lower body (knees, legs); helps with swelling, knee pain, and urination problems.

   • Nature: Bitter, sour, neutral.

   • Meridians: Liver, Kidney.

3. 黑豆 (Black Soybean)

   • TCM Function:
     Nourishes Kidney Yin, detoxifies, and improves blood and essence.
     It’s known to balance and harmonize strong tonics, making formulas gentler on the body.

   • Usefulness in this formula:
     Enhances Kidney nourishment, reduces fatigue, and helps with itchy skin due to Yin deficiency.

   • Nature: Neutral and sweet.

   • Meridians: Kidney.

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⚖️ TCM Diagnosis Summary

This formula targets Kidney deficiency (especially Kidney Yang and Qi weakness) accompanied by blood stasis and fluid retention.
It:

• Strengthens tendons and bones

• Improves circulation to lower limbs

• Supports urinary and sexual function

• Nourishes Kidney essence

• Alleviates unexplained itching caused by internal deficiency

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🌟 Usage Notes

• Take warm, preferably in the evening.

• Avoid cold or greasy foods during treatment.

• If symptoms include strong heat signs (red face, dry throat, irritability), reduce 杜仲 slightly.

• If swelling is severe, can add 茯苓 (Poria) or 泽泻 (Alisma) for better water metabolism.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), black beans (黑豆, Hei Dou) are regarded as a highly nourishing food and mild medicinal herb. They are known for tonifying the kidney, strengthening the blood, and detoxifying the body. Below is a detailed breakdown of their TCM properties and benefits:

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🌿 Basic TCM Profile

• Chinese Name: 黑豆 (Hei Dou)

• Nature (性): Neutral (平)

• Flavor (味): Sweet (甘)

• Meridian Affiliation: Kidney (肾), Liver (肝)

• Category: Tonic food & detoxifying herb

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⚖️ Main TCM Actions

1. Tonifies Kidney and Nourishes Yin

   • Black beans are especially beneficial for Kidney Yin or Yang deficiency.

   • Helps relieve symptoms like fatigue, low back pain, weak knees, hair loss, or tinnitus.

   • Often used in anti-aging formulas to strengthen the body’s “essence” (精, Jing).

2. Strengthens Blood and Promotes Circulation

   • Black color corresponds to the Kidney system and supports Blood in TCM theory.

   • Used to nourish the Blood, improving complexion and vitality.

   • Helpful for women after menstruation or childbirth.

3. Removes Wind and Dampness

   • Used to alleviate joint pain, rheumatism, and stiffness caused by Wind-Damp.

   • Often combined with herbs like Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark) or Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root).

4. Detoxifies and Clears Heat

   • Traditionally used to neutralize toxins from other herbs or food poisoning.

   • Can be boiled and consumed to reduce skin eruptions or swelling.

5. Promotes Hair Growth and Prevents Premature Graying

   • Nourishes the Liver and Kidney, which govern hair health in TCM.

   • Commonly included in anti-aging and beauty formulas.

6. Supports Spleen and Stomach Function

   • Gentle on digestion and improves nutrient absorption.

   • Often used as a tonic food during recovery or weakness.

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🌰 Common TCM Uses & Formulas

Condition	Example Combination	Function
Kidney deficiency, back/knee weakness	Black bean + Walnuts + Goji berries	Tonifies Kidney & strengthens essence
Hair loss / premature gray hair	Black bean + He Shou Wu (何首乌)	Nourishes Liver & Kidney, darkens hair
Detoxification	Black bean + Green bean soup	Clears heat & removes toxins
Rheumatism, joint pain	Black bean + Du Zhong (杜仲)	Dispels Wind-Damp, strengthens tendons
Postpartum recovery	Black bean + Dang Gui (当归)	Nourishes Blood, restores vitality

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🍵 Usage & Preparation

• Black Bean Soup (黑豆汤):
  Simmer 30–50 g of black beans with water (or with Dang Gui, Goji berries, or pork ribs) for a nourishing tonic.

• Black Bean Soak Water:
  Soak beans overnight and drink the water to help detoxify and strengthen kidneys.

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⚠️ Precautions

• Avoid excessive intake if you have Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness (e.g. bloating, loose stools).

• Should be well-cooked to prevent flatulence or indigestion.

• Not suitable during acute cold or flu with chills.

Here are some classic and effective TCM formulas using black beans (黑豆 Hei Dou) for different health goals — organized by function.

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🧠 1. Kidney Tonic & Anti-Aging Formulas

⚫️ Black Bean Essence Soup (黑豆补肾汤)

Ingredients:

• Black beans (黑豆) – 30g

• Goji berries (枸杞子) – 15g

• Walnuts (核桃仁) – 15g

• Chinese yam (山药) – 20g

• Black sesame (黑芝麻) 

Effects:

• Tonifies Kidney Yin and Yang

• Strengthens lower back and knees

• Nourishes essence (精) and prevents premature aging

Best For: Fatigue, weak back/knees, hair loss, low libido

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🦴 2. Joint Pain & Rheumatism (Wind-Damp Type)

⚫️ Black Bean Du Zhong Decoction (黑豆杜仲汤)

Ingredients:

• Black beans – 30g

• Eucommia bark (杜仲) – 10g

• Achyranthes root (牛膝) – 10g

• Dang Gui (当归) – 10g

Effects:

• Strengthens tendons and bones

• Dispels Wind-Damp and relieves joint pain

Best For: Chronic joint stiffness, knee pain, lower back soreness

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💇‍♀️ 3. Hair Growth & Anti-Gray Formulas

⚫️ Black Bean He Shou Wu Soup (黑豆何首乌汤)

Ingredients:

• Black beans – 30g

• He Shou Wu (何首乌) – 15g

• Goji berries – 15g

• Black sesame – 10g

Effects:

• Nourishes Liver and Kidney

• Promotes hair growth and restores hair color

• Tonifies Blood

Best For: Premature gray hair, hair loss, fatigue

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💪 4. Blood & Energy Recovery (Post-Illness or Postpartum)

⚫️ Black Bean Dang Gui Soup (黑豆当归汤)

Ingredients:

• Black beans – 30g

• Dang Gui (当归) – 10g

• Red dates (红枣) – 5 pieces

• Brown sugar – to taste

Effects:

• Nourishes Blood and Qi

• Restores strength and vitality

• Promotes circulation and detoxification

Best For: Postpartum weakness, menstrual irregularity, fatigue

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🌿 5. Detoxifying & Skin-Clearing Formula

⚫️ Black Bean + Green Bean Detox Drink (黑豆绿豆汤)

Ingredients:

• Black beans – 20g

• Green beans (绿豆) – 20g

• Water – 1 liter

Effects:

• Clears heat, detoxifies blood, and promotes urination

• Improves skin complexion and reduces swelling

Best For: Acne, skin rashes, summer heat, mild edema

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💧 6. Kidney & Liver Nourishing Tea (肝肾双补茶)

Ingredients:

• Black beans – 20g

• Goji berries – 10g

• Polygonatum root (黄精) – 10g

• Licorice (甘草) – 3g

Effects:

• Nourishes Yin and Jing

• Strengthens vision and endurance

Best For: Eye fatigue, dry eyes, long work hours, aging prevention

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⚠️ TCM Tips for Using Black Beans:

• Always cook thoroughly; raw beans can cause bloating.

• Best consumed warm, not cold.

• Can be added to soups, congee, or herbal teas 2–3 times a week.

• Combine with Kidney or Blood tonics for maximum effect.