Kan Essentials Free the Sinews (Yi Yi Ren Tang) is a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) herbal formula formulated to disperse Dampness, release the Tai Yang to expel Wind and Dampness, invigorate Blood, and gently tonify Spleen and Kidney Qi to support joint comfort, musculoskeletal health, and healthy skin and coat. Recommended by holistic veterinarians, this formula is especially well-suited for animals whose joint discomfort worsens in cold, damp weather and improves with continued gentle movement. Available in liquid and tablet forms. Dosing varies by species and body weight; your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
What It Supports
- Dampness dispersion: Disperses internal Damp accumulation via the urinary tract and expels Wind Damp from the Exterior to address the root predisposition to Damp invasion from faulty Spleen function
- Joint and musculoskeletal comfort: Releases the Tai Yang and expels Wind Cold Damp from the joints to address occasional joint discomfort that is worse with cold and damp weather and better with continued gentle movement
- Blood invigoration: Invigorates and moves Blood and tonifies Blood where it is lacking due to Spleen deficiency to support peripheral circulation and musculoskeletal health
- Skin, coat, and vitality support: Addresses dry skin, hair, and coat associated with Blood deficiency and Damp accumulation; supports occasional fatigue, lethargy, and back spasm in patterns of Wind Cold Damp invasion
TCVM Principles
- Primary action: Releases the Tai Yang to expel Wind and Dampness, invigorates and moves Blood, and gently tonifies Spleen and Kidney Qi
- Pattern addressed: Wind Cold Damp invasion with internal Dampness; the predisposition to Damp invasion comes from internal Damp accumulation due to faulty Spleen function - consult your TCVM veterinarian to confirm the appropriate pattern diagnosis
- Approach: Combines Damp-dispersing herbs (Yi Yi Ren, Cang Zhu) with Tai Yang-releasing herbs (Gui Zhi, Bai Shao), Blood-moving herbs (Dang Gui Shen, Bai Shao), a back-stagnation herb (Du Huo), and a harmonizing Spleen tonic (Gan Cao) to address Wind Cold Damp invasion at multiple levels
Available Forms
- 1 oz Liquid: Concentrated liquid extract; easy to mix into food or administer directly
- 4 oz Liquid: Larger liquid supply for ongoing use
- 8 oz Liquid: Bulk liquid supply for extended use or multi-pet households
- 60 Tablets - 500mg: Traditional small tablet format; can be hidden in food or a soft treat for easy administration
- 120 Tablets - 500mg: Mid-size tablet supply for ongoing use
- 300 Tablets - 500mg: Largest tablet supply; ideal for long-term use
Ingredients
Yi Yi Ren (Coix lacryma-jobi), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes lancea), Dang Gui Shen (Angelica sinensis, root body), Gui Zhi (Cinnamomum cassia, twig), Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora, white), Du Huo (Angelica pubescens), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis)
Inactive ingredients vary by form; liquid extracts contain alcohol and water; tablets may contain excipients standard to tablet manufacturing.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Active Ingredient TCVM Actions
Each herb in Free the Sinews is selected for its specific role within the TCVM framework. Together, they disperse Dampness from inside and outside the body, release the Tai Yang, invigorate Blood, and gently tonify Spleen and Kidney Qi to address Wind-Cold-Damp invasion with underlying Spleen deficiency.
- Yi Yi Ren (Coix lacryma-jobi) - Job's Tears Seed / Coix Seed: A key herb with dual action: leeches accumulated Damp out of the body via the urinary tract while providing mild Spleen support; when used with warm pungent herbs like Gui Zhi, also helps expel Wind Damp from the Exterior
- Cang Zhu (Atractylodes lancea) - Cang-Zhu Atractylodes Rhizome / Gray Atractylodes: Expels Wind Cold Damp from the joints and from the Spleen itself; strongly dries Damp and warms the Spleen and Stomach
- Dang Gui Shen (Angelica sinensis, root body) - Dong Quai Root Body / Chinese Angelica: Moves and tonifies Blood; tonifies Blood where it is lacking due to Spleen deficiency; works with Bai Shao to invigorate Blood and support peripheral circulation
- Gui Zhi (Cinnamomum cassia, twig) - Chinese Cinnamon Twig: Releases the Tai Yang, expels invading Wind Damp, and boosts peripheral circulation; works with Yi Yi Ren to expel Wind Damp from the Exterior
- Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora, white) - White Peony Root: Releases the Tai Yang together with Gui Zhi and supports the actions of Dang Gui Shen in moving Blood; nourishes Blood and moderates the drying action of Cang Zhu
- Du Huo (Angelica pubescens) - Pubescent Angelica Root / Hairy Angelica: Alleviates back and neck stagnation; expels Wind-Cold-Damp from the lower body and joints; particularly effective for Bi syndrome patterns affecting the lower back and limbs
- Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) - Chinese Licorice Root: Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi, moderates the actions of other herbs, and harmonizes the formula as a whole
Potential Drug Interactions
Free the Sinews contains several potent Chinese herbs, including Damp-dispersing, Blood-invigorating, and spleen-tonifying herbs with known musculoskeletal, diuretic, and circulatory activity. Because herb-drug interaction research in dogs and cats is limited, pets taking prescription medications should use this formula under veterinary supervision.
Extra caution may be appropriate for pets receiving diuretics, anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, NSAIDs, or multiple prescription medications. Your veterinarian can determine whether Free the Sinews is appropriate based on your pet's condition, medications, and laboratory results.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Free the Sinews used for in TCVM?
In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Free the Sinews (Yi Yi Ren Tang) is traditionally used to disperse Dampness, release the Tai Yang to expel Wind and Dampness, invigorate Blood, and gently tonify Spleen and Kidney Qi. It is indicated for patterns of Wind Cold Damp invasion with internal Dampness, particularly for animals whose joint discomfort worsens in cold, damp weather and improves with continued gentle movement.
How is Free the Sinews administered?
Free the Sinews is available in liquid extract (1 oz, 4 oz, or 8 oz) or 500mg tablets (60, 120, or 300 count). You can mix liquid into food or administer it directly; you can give tablets directly or hide them in food. Dosing varies by species and body weight; your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.
How long does it take to see results?
Results vary by individual and the severity of the pattern. Some animals may show improvement in joint comfort and mobility relatively quickly, while those with more chronic or established Wind Cold Damp patterns and underlying Spleen deficiency may require several weeks of consistent use. Your authorizing veterinarian can help set appropriate expectations based on your pet's TCVM diagnosis.
Can Free the Sinews be combined with other medications or supplements?
Always consult your veterinarian before combining Free the Sinews with other medications or supplements. Your authorizing veterinarian will monitor for potential interactions through routine lab work and diagnostic testing. Key interactions to discuss include diuretics, anticoagulants, and NSAIDs. See the Potential Drug Interactions section above for details.