Recently in the clinic, many friends have asked how to nourish Yang Qi in the summer. There is a wisdom in traditional Chinese medicine to share with you all: midsummer is actually the golden period to use "natural timing" to nourish Yang! Why? Because at this time, the Yang Qi in nature is at its peak. By aligning with the power of this "heavenly and earthly Yang" to warm and nourish ourselves, the results are often twice as effective with half the effort.

Guifu Dihuang Wan is a classic formula for warming and nourishing kidney Yang, and many people are using it. However, Dr. Wang has observed that for many, the results of nourishing Yang are not ideal. The problem often lies in the "pathways" being obstructed—Yang Qi is replenished, but there are "blockages" in the body, preventing it from being properly metabolized and transported to where it is needed. Today, I will share three clinically effective and commonly used combination methods that integrate "unblocking and nourishing," allowing the replenished Yang Qi to truly take effect, warming the entire body and even penetrating deep into the bones and muscles.

Combination One: Guifu Dihuang Pills + Jianpi Pills (or Xiangsha Liujun Pills and other spleen-strengthening dampness-resolving medicines)

What problem does it address? If you often feel heavy and lethargic, have a poor appetite, and experience loose stools (or even diarrhea), along with a swollen tongue with teeth marks and a white, greasy coating, it is likely a case of spleen and stomach deficiency with internal phlegm-dampness obstruction.

Why add Jianpi Pills? Traditional Chinese Medicine states that "the spleen governs transformation and transportation." The spleen and stomach are the source of qi and blood production and the hub of water-dampness metabolism. When the spleen and stomach are weak and dampness is excessive, it is like a muddy, impassable road (blockage in the middle jiao). Relying solely on Guifu Dihuang Pills as "warming and tonifying fire" alone is insufficient; it may even exacerbate dampness and generate heat, making one feel more stifled and uncomfortable. Adding Jianpi Pills focuses on strengthening the spleen and stomach, drying dampness, and transforming phlegm, clearing the "road" and effectively transporting "fuel" (the essence of water and grain). This allows the warming and tonifying yang qi to spread smoothly throughout the body, improving issues like fatigue and diarrhea.

Combination Two: Guifu Dihuang Pills + Xuefu Zhuyu Pills (or other blood-activating, stasis-removing, and channel-unblocking medicines)

What problem does it solve? Some people experience a fear of cold and icy hands and feet, yet also feel heat and irritability in the chest, insomnia, and even chest tightness. This condition is often due to stagnation of qi and blood and obstruction of the meridians in the body.

Why add blood-activating and stasis-removing herbs? Yang energy has been replenished, but the body's "qi and blood channels" are severely blocked, causing the yang energy to get "stuck" midway. It cannot ascend (resulting in irritability, chest tightness, and insomnia) and cannot descend (resulting in cold hands and feet). Merely tonifying without promoting free flow naturally reduces effectiveness. Medicines like Xuefu Zhuyu Pills function by activating blood, removing stasis, and unblocking the meridians. They clear the obstructed "pathways," allowing the yang energy tonified by Guifu Dihuang Pills to smoothly reach the extremities, warming the entire body and alleviating symptoms like irritability and chest tightness.

Combination Three: Guifu Dihuang Pills + Xiaohuoluo Dan (or similar herbs that dispel wind-dampness and unblock collaterals to relieve pain)

What problem does it solve? This combination is particularly suitable for those suffering from cold-dampness pathogens deeply lodged in the bones, joints, and tendons. Symptoms are distinct: joints fear cold, are painful, swollen, and may even become deformed; symptoms worsen with cold weather or exposure to cold water and improve with warmth.

Why Add Xiaohuoluo Dan? When cold-dampness settles deep in the joints, tendons, and bones, leading to conditions like "old cold legs" or "old cold waist," relying solely on Guifu Dihuang Wan to warm the yang energy of the internal organs may not be sufficient to dispel these stubborn cold-damp pathogens lodged in the crevices of the bones. Xiaohuoluo Dan contains Sichuan aconite (Chuanwu) and wild aconite (Caowu)—strictly to be used under medical guidance—which have strong properties to expel wind, disperse cold, remove dampness, and unblock collaterals, allowing it to "penetrate" into the bone crevices to drive out cold-dampness. Combined with frankincense (Ruxiang) and myrrh (Moyao) to invigorate blood, promote qi, reduce swelling, and relieve pain, it specifically targets joint stiffness and pain. The combination of these two formulas works to internally warm kidney yang to treat the root cause and externally disperse cold-dampness to unblock the collaterals. This dual approach, addressing both the root and the symptoms, effectively alleviates years of joint pain.

Real Case Study:

Last month, Aunt Li came to see me. She had been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for over ten years, with deformed finger joints, and was particularly sensitive to cold. She didn’t even dare to use a fan in the summer, as exposure to cold would cause severe pain. In the mornings, her fingers would be as stiff as wood. She was a classic case of kidney yang deficiency with deep-seated cold-dampness lodged in the bones and tendons. I advised her to use Guifu Dihuang Wan (Cinnamon and Aconite Rehmannia Pill) in combination with Xiaohuoluo Dan (Minor Invigorate the Collaterals Pill), strictly following the prescribed dosage and treatment course. After about two months of consistent treatment, Aunt Li reported that although the deformity could not be fully reversed, her sensitivity to cold had significantly decreased, and the duration of joint pain and morning stiffness had been greatly shortened. She felt much more comfortable, and her quality of life had improved considerably. This is the effect of "unblocking and tonifying in combination"—truly replenishing yang qi where it is needed and dispelling deeply entrenched cold pathogens.

Final Reminder:

Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes treatment based on syndrome differentiation. These three combination approaches are clinically common and effective, but the specific method, dosage, and duration for an individual must be determined under the guidance of a professional TCM practitioner. Do not combine medications arbitrarily to avoid incorrect treatment or adverse reactions. Seize the "timely opportunity" of summer, find the right method, and replenish yang qi adequately to reduce illnesses and feel more comfortable during autumn and winter!