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Knowledge baseHerbs

Hu Tao Ren胡桃仁

Semen JuglandisWalnut

Also known asEnglish Walnut · Persian Walnut

Category
Herbs that tonify Yang
Nature
warm
Taste
sweet
Channels entered
Kidney, Large Intestine, Lung
Dosage
9–30 g

Usual doses

Dosage
9–30 g
Tincture
2–4 ml

Actions & indications

Tonifies the Kidneys, replenishes Jing and strengthens the back and knees
  • Kidney Yang Deficiency with a Cold and painful back and knees and urinary frequency
  • Kidney Jing Deficiency
Warms and astringes the Lungs, resolves cold Phlegm, arrests wheezing and helps the Kidneys grasp *Qi*
  • Lung and Kidney Deficiencies with chronic cough and wheezing that worsens with any exertion
  • Kidney unable to grasp Lung Qi
Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels
  • Constipation from Deficient Fluids and Blood
  • Constipation in the elderly
  • Constipation due to injured Fluids following a febrile disorder

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated in Phlegm Fire.
  • Contraindicated in Hot-type cough.
  • Contraindicated in Yin Deficiency with Heat signs.
  • Contraindicated in watery stool.
  • Avoid taking with strong tea.

Interactions

Hu Tao Ren has anticoagulant and thrombolytic properties, so it should be used cautiously in patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine), and clopidogrel (Plavix).

Combinations

  • Kidney Deficiency with low back and knee pain and weak legs.

  • Back pain related to Kidney stones.

  • Wheezing due to Lung and Kidney Deficiency.

  • Chronic cough from Deficiency Cold, or chronic cough with dyspnea.

  • Wind-Damp Bi with concurrent lower back pain and weak legs.

  • Constipation from fluid insufficiency in the Large Intestine.

  • Kidney Yang Deficiency with low back pain, premature ejaculation, cough, and wheezing; strengthens Kidney Yang so it can grasp the Qi in treating cough and wheezing, strengthens the sinews and bones, and treats low back and knee aching, impotence, and premature ejaculation from Lower Jiao Cold.

  • Premature graying of the hair.

  • Blurred vision.

Notes

  • This herb is indicated when the pattern involves both the Kidneys and Lung.
  • It is mild in action and usually functions as an assistant herb.
  • According to one source, Walnuts tonify Qi, nourish Blood, moisten Dryness, transform Phlegm, strengthen the Ming Men, free the San Jiao, warm the Lungs, and moisten the Intestines, treating cough from Deficiency Cold and heavy pain of the low back and feet.
  • Another source states that this herb enriches and tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, strengthens the sinews and bones, firms the teeth, and darkens the hair.

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