Functions
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan mainly functions to tonify the liver and the kidney. Traditionally, this formula has been considered an effective remedy for the following syndromes: general liver and kidney insufficiencies, early appearance of white hair, the loosening of teeth, nocturnal emission, and lassitude in the loins and legs. More recently, though, the formula is mainly used to treat aplastic anemia, male infertility, menopausal syndrome, and chronic persisting hepatitis.
Dosage Info
Honeyed pill taken with saline solution or wine. Contact with iron vessels is avoided. The modernized method for administration: disintegrate and make each honeyed pill weighed 10g. Take one pill with saline solution each morning and night. 5:1 concentrated extract: 9 grams/day.
Ingredients
Pharmacology
Anti-aging effect: Experiments show that administered to hydrocortisone-modeled yang-deficiency animals, Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan can, in a dose-dependent manner, increase the activity of superoxide dismutase in red cells and reduce formation of lipid peroxides. (1) In experimental cultivation of embryonic lung diploid cell strain, the formula can increase the number of generations propagated. (2)
Anticoagulation effect: The anticoagulation effect of the formula’s ethanol extract is experimentally demonstrated as follows: The formula prolongs the bleeding time and clotting time in rabbits, reducing the platelet count and its adhesive capability, and prolonging platelet factor I, IV time; the formula also prolongs plasma prothrombin time, prothrombin consumption time and recalcification time, although the differences are not significant; the formula prolongs clot retraction time, increases red cell sedimentation rate, decreases packed cell volume; and finally, the plasma protamine anti-agglutination test is positive. (3)
Anti-hypoxic and anti-anemic effects: Fed to mice and rats for 15 days, this formula can significantly raise the subject’s tolerance level for hypoxia, increase the hemoglobin and serum iron levels in rats, and increase catalase activity in mice. (4)
Enhancing adrenal cortical function: Experiments show that at 6g/kg or 12g/kg, the formula can increase the wet weight of the adrenal gland, significantly decrease the vitamin C level in the adrenal gland, and increase the glycogen level in the liver. The formula is effective in enhancing the adrenal cortical function of yang-deficient animals. (5)
Clinical Applications
Osteoporosis
76 cases of osteoporosis were treated with this formula. The prescription contained processed He Shou Wu (Fleece-flowered Root), Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea), Gou Qi Zi (Lycium Fruit), Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Fu Ling (Hoelen), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Niu Xi (Achyranthes), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root). Modifications were made according to symptoms. The formula was boiled with water to obtain 300ml of decoction. One dose was taken each day, at two different times. The results: 12 significantly improved, 57 improved, and the remaining 7 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 90.8%. (6)
Menopausal syndrome
One study treated menopausal syndrome with a modification of Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan, and reported satisfactory results. (7)
Male infertility
A modification of Qi Bai Mei Ran Dan was used to treat 36 cases of male infertility due to unliquefied semen. The basic prescription consisted of Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathulae), processed He Shou Wu (Fleece-flowered Root), Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea), Gou Qi Zi (Lycium Fruit), Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Fu Ling (Hoelen), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Shu Di Huang (cooked Rehmannia), and Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark). For lassitude in the loin and legs, Du Zhong (Eucommia) and Sang Ji Sheng (Loranthus) were added. For vexation with mouth dryness, Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena) and Huang Bo (Phellodendron) were added. Sexual activities were avoided while under treatment. The treatment lasted 20-30 days, and had these results: 22 cases were resolved, 6 cases improved, and 8 cases had no effect. (8)
Another study treated 35 cases of male infertility with a modification of Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan, and reported that 22 cases significantly improved, 8 cases improved, and 5 cases did not respond to the treatment. (9)
Aplastic anemia
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan was used to treat 38 cases of aplastice anemia. For yin-deficient patients the following herbs were added: Xuan Shen (Scrophularia), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Root), Sang Shen (Mulberry), Can Shan (Excrementum Bombycis), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), Wu Mei (Mume), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Du Zhong (Eucommia), and Zong Lu (Fortune Windmillpalm). For those with yang-deficiency, the following herbs were added: Xian Mao (Curculigo), Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche), Ba Ji Tian (Mroinda), Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Fu Zi (Aconite), and Lu Rong (Hairy Antler). For deficiency in both yin and yang, the following were added: Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel Fruit), Xu Duan (Dipsacus), Huang Jing (Polygonatum Root), and Shan Yao (Dioscorea). One dose of the formula in decoction was administered daily, and one course of treatment lasted 30 days. The results: after 3 courses of treatment, 17 cases were basically resolved, 11 cases entered remission, 17 cases improved, and 3 cases did not respond to the treatment. A follow-up survey spanning 2-18 years found that 13 cases were resolved, 13 cases entered remission, 9 cases improved, and the remaining 3 cases did not respond to the treatment. (10)
Chronic persisting hepatitis
32 cases of chronic persisting hepatitis were treated with this formula. After 2-3 months of treatment, 14 cases were resolved, 3 cases improved, 5 cases had no effect. A one-year follow-up found that 3 cases had relapses but were eventually resolved after using this formula again. (11)
References
- Xu Qing Yuan, et al. Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan’s anti-aging effect on animals with kidney-yang deficiency. China Journal of Experimental Recipes. 1996;2(3):33-35.
- Zhai Yan Hui, et al. Anti-aging Chinese herbs’ effect on the propagation of embryonic lung diploid cell strain. Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Application of TCM. 1997;13(4):39-41.
- Xu Qing Yuan, et al. Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan’s anticoagulation effects. Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Application of TCM. 1988;4(4):8-9.
- Wu Jia Ning. Experimenting with Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan. Journal of Chinese Patent Medicine Research. 1986;12:40.
- Xu Qing Yuan, et al. Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan’s effects on blood rheology and adrenal cortical function in animals with kidney-yang deficiency. Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Application of TCM. 1990;6(1):10-11.
- Liu Ding An, et al. Treating 76 cases of osteoporosis with Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan. Hunan Journal of TCM. 1999;15(2):26-27.
- Shan Mei Yin, et al. Treating menopausal syndrome with a modification of Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan. Sichuan Journal of TCM. 1995;13(9):45.
- Li Mao Huai. Treating 36 cases of unliquified semen with a modification of Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1995;30(9):406.
- Zhang Jing Xiao. Treating 35 cases of male infertility with a modification of Qi Bao Mei Ran dan. Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1987;11(2):22.
- Cao Zhi Gang. Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan as primary treatment for 38 cases of recurrent aplastic anemia. Journal of Integrated Medicine. 1990;10(1):49.
- Hao Hai Shan, et al. Treating 32 cases of chronic persisting hepatitis with a modification of Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1993;28(4):150.