Shú Dì Huáng · Prepared Rehmannia Root
Shú Dì Huáng (熟地黄, Prepared Rehmannia Root) is a herb of Warm nature and Sweet flavor, in the “Blood Tonifying” category. Tradition uses it to nourish Blood, Nourish Yin of Liver and Kidney, Tonify Essence.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Shú Dì Huáng
- Characters
- 熟地黄
- Botanical name
- Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC.
- Family
- Orobanchaceae
- Part used
- Root (steamed with wine)
- Nature
- Warm
- Flavor
- Sweet
- Meridians
- Kidney, Liver
- Category
- Blood Tonifying
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- No contraindication described (always consult)
- Origin
- China
Actions according to tradition
- Nourish Blood
- Nourish Yin of Liver and Kidney
- Tonify Essence
- Fill Marrow
Traditional uses
- Blood deficiency with pale complexion and heart palpitations
- Liver and kidney yin deficiency
- Dizziness, tinnitus, weakness in lumbar region
- Night sweats and afternoon fever from yin deficiency
- Premature graying of hair
Studied effects and current applications
- Profoundly nourishes blood and yin
- Strengthens kidney essence and bone marrow
- Addresses premature aging signs (gray hair, weak knees)
- Moistens dryness and alleviates thirst
- Consolidates essence to prevent seminal loss
Applications under investigation
- Anemia and blood disorders
- Adrenal fatigue and burnout
- Osteoporosis and bone deficiency
- Menopausal syndrome
- Male reproductive deficiency
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Severe digestive weakness with abdominal distension
- Phlegm-damp obstructing spleen
Relative contraindications
- Spleen and stomach weakness
- Use without digestive herbs (chen pi, sha ren)
- Pregnancy
- Generally considered safe; often used in pregnancy blood deficiency formulas.
- Breastfeeding
- Safe for nursing mothers.
- Children
- Use cautiously in children with weak digestion.
- Older adults
- Excellent for elderly blood and yin deficiency; use with digestive herbs to prevent stagnation.
Possible adverse effects
- Abdominal fullness and bloating
- Loose stools
- Nausea if not combined with aromatic herbs
When to stop
- Persistent digestive discomfort
- Diarrhea develops
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes medications | Metformin, Insulin | Mild | May have mild hypoglycemic effect Monitor blood glucose |
| Anticoagulants | Warfarin | Mild | May slightly affect clotting Monitor INR |
With other herbs
- chen_pi Chen Pi helps prevent digestive stagnation from Shu Di Huang
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 9-30 grams daily
- Powder
- 3-9 grams daily
- Acute use
- 2-4 weeks
- Chronic use
- 1-3 months
- Maximum
- Continuous long-term possible in yin deficiency
- Children
- Use cautiously in children with digestive weakness.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 9-30g in 4 cups water 45-60 min. Drink warm in two doses.
Maximum blood and yin tonification
Steep in rice wine 2-4 weeks. Take 1-2 tsp daily.
Blood tonification and circulation
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Reduced iridoid glycosides, polysaccharides and verbascoside
Modified iridoid glycoside and furan · Kidney tonic, antioxidant, hematopoietic
Generated during processing (steamed with wine); erythropoiesis stimulation, radical scavenging · Increased vs. Sheng Di Huang
Phenylpropanoid glucoside · Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective
Radical scavenging, PKC inhibition, NF-κB inhibition · 0.1-0.5% (reduced after processing vs. raw form)
Heterogeneous polysaccharides · Immunomodulator, hypoglycemic
Macrophage activation, α-glucosidase inhibition · 20-35% in aqueous extract
Pentacyclic triterpenes · Anti-inflammatory, antitumor
NF-κB inhibition, mitochondrial apoptosis induction · Traces
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Autumn (October-November) for raw Rehmannia base
Raw Rehmannia (生地黄) is harvested in autumn and then undergoes the process of nine steamings to become processed Rehmannia (熟地黄). This months-long process is the most elaborate in Chinese pharmacology.
COMPLEX PROCESS: Cleaned raw roots are mixed with yellow rice wine (30%), ginger juice and other herbs. They are subjected to repeated cycles of: vaporization 4-6 hours, cooling, sun exposure, vaporization. The classic minimum process is 9 cycles (九蒸九晒). The result is black, sweet and shiny.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
