Hu Tao Ren (胡桃仁) is the walnut kernel, recorded as Semen Juglandis. It is sweet in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Kidney, Lung and Large Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that tonify Yang.

Pinyin

hu tao ren

Chinese

胡桃仁

Latin Name

Semen Juglandis

English Name

Walnut

Japanese

koto

Korean

hodoin

Actions and indications

Tonifies the Kidneys, replenishes Jing and strengthens the lower back and knees

Kidney Yang deficiency: a cold, aching, weak lower back and knees, cold limbs and frequent urination
Kidney Jing deficiency

Warms and astringes the Lungs, resolves Cold Phlegm, calms wheezing and helps the Kidneys grasp Qi

Deficient Lungs and Kidneys with chronic cough, wheezing or asthma made worse by any exertion
Kidneys failing to anchor the Lung Qi

Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels

Dry constipation from deficient fluids and Blood, relieved without the harshness of a purgative
Constipation in older or depleted people
Constipation after a febrile illness has damaged the fluids

Combinations

du zhong + bu gu zhi + xu duan

Kidney Deficiency with pain in the low back and knees and weak legs

du zhong + bu gu zhi + jin qian cao + hai jin sha

Kidney stones with back pain

ren shen + ge jie

Lung and Kidney Deficiency with wheezing

feng mi

Deficiency Cold with chronic cough; long-standing cough with dyspnea

feng mi + yin yang huo

Wind-Damp Bi with low back pain and weak legs at the same time

dang gui + huo ma ren + rou cong rong

Dry Large Intestine with constipation from lack of fluids

bu gu zhi

Kidney Yang Deficiency with low back pain, premature ejaculation, cough and wheezing. Strengthens Kidney Yang so it can grasp the Qi in cough and wheezing, builds up the sinews and bones, and treats aching low back and knees, impotence and premature ejaculation from Cold in the Lower Jiao

he shou wu + nu zhen zi + dang gui

Prematurely gray hair.

gou qi zi

Blurred vision.

yin yang huo

Arthritis.

dang gui + e jiao + rou cong rong

Chronic constipation.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 9-30g; Tincture: 2-4ml

9-30 g

—

2-4 ml

—

Cautions

contraindication Phlegm-Fire, or Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs with cough and yellow phlegm

contraindication Cough of Heat type

contraindication Yin deficiency with Heat signs or blazing Ming Men Fire

contraindication Watery stools or chronic diarrhea, which its oil content makes worse

caution Do not take it with strong tea

caution Eaten to excess, its oil can cause nausea or loose stools even without a Heat or Damp pattern

caution Tree-nut allergy: walnut commonly causes it

Interactions

Drug interactions

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medicines (heparin, warfarin, enoxaparin, clopidogrel, aspirin, dipyridamole): the herb is credited with anticoagulant and clot-dissolving effects, so use with caution; yet at normal dietary intakes, omega-3 research (warfarin users included) has found no clinically important bleeding risk

hu tao ren

About hu tao ren

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Tonifies the Kidneys, replenishes Jing and strengthens the lower back and knees

Warms and astringes the Lungs, resolves Cold Phlegm, calms wheezing and helps the Kidneys grasp Qi

Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions

About hu tao ren

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Tonifies the Kidneys, replenishes Jing and strengthens the lower back and knees

Warms and astringes the Lungs, resolves Cold Phlegm, calms wheezing and helps the Kidneys grasp Qi

Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions

Related

Used in 1 formula