Mechanism of Yougui Pill in Regulating Thoroughfare and Conception Vessels for Treating Infertility

Yougui Pill originates from Jingyue's Complete Works·New Formulations in Eight Strategies by the eminent Ming Dynasty physician Zhang Jiebin (Zhang Jingyue). As a representative formula for warming kidney yang and replenishing the life-gate fire, it complements Zuogui Pill (which nourishes kidney yin), together forming the core of Zhang Jingyue's theory of "dual supplementation of kidney yin and yang."

1. Core Pathogenesis: Kidney Yang Deficiency and Cold in Thoroughfare-Conception Vessels

Traditional Chinese Medicine holds:

  • Kidney yang (life-gate fire) serves as the fundamental driving force of reproductive function. Kidney yang deficiency leads to loss of warmth in thoroughfare and conception vessels, causing:

    • Thoroughfare vessel (sea of blood) deficiency-cold → delayed menstruation, scanty pale flow, dysmenorrhea (relieved by warmth)

    • Conception vessel (governing the fetus) instability → uterine cold infertility, fetal instability (predisposition to miscarriage)

  • Yougui Pill warms and tonifies kidney yang, reigniting the life-gate fire, warming the thoroughfare and conception vessels, and enriching uterine qi-blood, thereby improving reproductive function.

2. Formula Composition and Its Regulatory Effects

Yougui Pill contains: Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Corni Fructus, Lycii Fructus, Cervi Cornus Colla, Cuscutae Semen, Eucommiae Cortex, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Cinnamomi Cortex, and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata.

Its characteristic combinations for regulating thoroughfare-conception vessels:

  • Aconite + Cinnamon: Strongly tonify life-gate fire, warm and unblock thoroughfare-conception vessels, dispel uterine cold

  • Deer antler glue + Dodder seed: Warm kidneys and replenish essence, directly nourishing the eight extraordinary meridians (thoroughfare and conception vessels belong to extraordinary meridians)

  • Rehmannia + Angelica: Enrich blood and regulate menstruation, ensuring sufficient sea of blood and regular cycles

  • Eucommia + Wolfberry: Tonify liver-kidney, strengthen tendons-bones, stabilize conception vessel (governing the fetus)

3. Modern Medical Mechanisms for Fertility Enhancement

  • Ovarian function improvement: Regulates hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, promoting follicular development and luteal function

  • Uterine blood flow enhancement: Cinnamon and aconite dilate blood vessels, improving endometrial receptivity and implantation rate

  • Hormonal regulation: Deer antler glue contains natural estrogen-like substances that help balance endocrine function

Clinical Application Guidelines

  • Indications: Infertility due to kidney yang deficiency (manifesting as delayed menstruation, cold lower abdominal pain, low libido, pale tongue with white coating, deep-slow pulse)

  • Contraindications: Not suitable for yin deficiency with fire excess or excess-heat patterns (e.g., red tongue with yellow coating, dry mouth and throat)

  • Modifications:

    • Severe uterine cold: Add Artemisiae Argyi Folium and Evodiae Fructus

    • With blood stasis: Add Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix

    • Luteal phase defect: Add Hominis Placenta and Morindae Officinalis Radix

Comparison with Zuogui Pill

Conclusion

Yougui Pill treats infertility through the mechanism of "warming kidney yang → warming thoroughfare-conception vessels → regulating the uterus." It is particularly effective for infertility caused by kidney yang deficiency and thoroughfare-conception vessel cold. Its core action lies in restoring life-gate fire, warming qi-blood in thoroughfare-conception vessels, and enabling conception. Clinically, precise pattern differentiation is essential to distinguish it from Zuogui Pill (which nourishes yin). When necessary, combined use for dual yin-yang supplementation (e.g., integrating Zuogui and Yougui Pills) may be employed.

小朋友 张