Source: Jingyue Quanshu (Complete Works of Jingyue).

Ingredients:
No.1  Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 12 g
No.2  Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae) 6 g
No.3  Roucongrong (Herba Cistanchis) 9 g
No.4  Zexie (Rhizoma Alismatis) 5 g
No.5  Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) 3 g
No.6  Zhike (Fructus Aurantii) 3 g

Administration:
Decoct the above drugs for oral application.

Actions:
Warming the kidney and nourishing blood, moistening the intestine to relieve constipation.

Clinical Application:
This recipe is used to treat constipation due to deficiency of the kidney, marked by constipation, profuse clear urine, soreness of the waist and knees, pale tongue with whitish fur, and deep, thready and slow pulse. It is applicable to habitual constipation, and senile constipation, which pertain to deficiency of the kidney and body fluid, and dry intestine. If complicated with shortness of breath and lassitude, replace the last ingredient with Renshen (Radix Gingseng) to replenish qi and promote the transporting action of the large intestine.

In case of excessive deficiency of the kidney essence manifesting dizziness and tinnitus, add Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparatae) to reinforce the kidney and replenish kidney essence, as well as nourish yin and loosen the bowels. In case of protracted constipation manifesting dryness of the mouth and tongue, replace ingredient No. 4 with Suoyang (Herba Cynomorii) and Huomaren (Fructus Cannabis) to enhance the effect of relaxing bowels to relieve constipation.

Elucidation:
The syndrome results from deficiency of kidney-qi, leading to disorder in transportation and lack of essence and blood, which further causes lack of nutrients in the large intestine. It should be treated by means of warming kidney-yang and enriching blood, as well as moistening the bowels to relieve constipation. Ingredient No. 3 is used as monarch drug to replenish the kidney essence, warm the waist and relax the bowels. Ingredients No. 1 and No. 2 act together as minister drug, the former capable of nourishing blood and moistening the bowels and the latter reinforcing the kidney. Ingredients No. 6 and No. 4 bear the respective function of descending qi and sending down turbid substances, and together promote transporting action of the large intestine.

Ingredient No. 5 is meant to ascend the lucid yang and to descend the turbid yin in compatibility with ingredients No. 2, No. 6 and No.4. The four ingredients together play the role of adjuvant drug. All ingredients in combination achieve the purpose of laxation implied in reinforcement and ascending implied in descending. This recipe can make up deficiency of the kidney, and lack of fluid in the intestine, further promoting the function of the large intestine.
   
Cautions:
It is contraindicated in those with deficiency of kidney-yin and dry intestine, manifesting constipation, dryness of the mouth and reddened tongue.