Kan Essentials Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination (Yi Guan Jian, One Linking Decoction) is a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) herbal formula recommended by holistic veterinarians to nourish Liver Yin and Blood and regulate Liver Qi. First published in 1770 by Wei Zhi-Xiu in The Continuation of Famous Physician's Cases Organized by Categories, the name "One Linking" refers to the formula's ability to address a variety of disparate patterns all stemming from the single diagnosis of Liver Blood and Yin deficiency with Qi stagnation. 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
- Liver Yin and Blood nourishment: Nourishes Liver Blood and Yin and clears Empty Heat to address the root deficiency driving Liver Qi stagnation and associated behavioral and physical symptoms
- Liver Qi regulation: Regulates stagnant Liver Qi to address occasional irritability, fear aggression, timidity, occasional separation anxiety, and heat intolerance
- Eye, skin, and mucosal support: Moistens Stomach and Lung Yin injured by stasis Heat and Empty Heat to address dry eyes, occasional eye, ear, or facial redness or dryness, low-grade itch, and heat lodged in the joints and skin
- Liver and digestive support: Supports healthy liver enzyme levels and addresses occasional nausea, indigestion, increased thirst, and weight loss despite normal stools and increased appetite
- Cardiovascular support: Supports healthy blood pressure associated with Liver Yin deficiency and Empty Heat rising
TCVM Principles
- Pattern addressed: Liver Blood deficiency; Liver Yin deficiency; Liver Qi stagnation
- Primary actions: Nourish Liver Yin and Blood; regulate Liver Qi
- Tongue: Pale or lavender
- Pulse: Wiry
- Approach: Five sweet-tasting Yin and Blood tonics (Sheng Di Huang, Gou Qi Zi, Dang Gui Shen, Mai Men Dong, Bei Sha Shen) are balanced by a single bitter herb (Chuan Lian Zi) that regulates stagnant Liver Qi and ensures the formula is not too cloying to a compromised Middle Burner; consult your TCVM veterinarian to confirm the appropriate pattern diagnosis
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 pill 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
Active ingredients: Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa, raw), Common name: Raw rehmannia root; Gou Qi Zi (Lycium barbarum), Common name: Lycium fruit; Dang Gui Shen (Angelica sinensis, root body), Common name: Dong quai root; Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus), Common name: Ophiopogon tuber; Bei Sha Shen (Glehnia littoralis), Common name: Glehnia root; Chuan Lian Zi (Melia toosendan), Common name: Melia fruit.
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
Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination has a deceptively simple structure: five sweet-tasting Yin and Blood tonics balanced by a single bitter Qi-regulating herb. This elegant balance lets the formula nourish deeply without becoming cloying, and address a wide variety of patterns stemming from the single root diagnosis of Liver Blood and Yin deficiency with Qi stagnation.
- Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa, raw), Raw Rehmannia Root: The chief herb; clears Empty Heat and ensures adequate Kidney Yin; the raw form is used specifically for its Heat-clearing and Yin-nourishing action, distinct from the prepared form used in warming formulas
- Gou Qi Zi (Lycium barbarum), Lycium Fruit: Nourishes Liver Blood and Yin, brightens the eyes, and supports healthy vision; addresses dry eyes and eye redness associated with Liver Blood and Yin deficiency
- Dang Gui Shen (Angelica sinensis, root body), Dong Quai Root: Nourishes Liver Blood and moves Blood; works with Gou Qi Zi to bolster Liver Blood deficiency at the root of this pattern
- Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus), Ophiopogon Tuber: Moistens Lung Yin injured by the combined effects of stasis Heat and Empty Heat; addresses dryness in the upper body associated with Yin deficiency
- Bei Sha Shen (Glehnia littoralis), Glehnia Root: Moistens Stomach Yin injured by stasis Heat and Empty Heat; addresses dryness and occasional nausea and indigestion in the Middle Burner
- Chuan Lian Zi (Melia toosendan), Melia Fruit: The sole bitter herb in the formula; regulates stagnant Liver Qi and ensures the formula is not too cloying to a compromised Middle Burner; provides the essential Qi-moving balance to the five sweet tonics
Potential Drug Interactions
Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination contains Yin-nourishing, Blood-tonifying, and Liver Qi-regulating herbs with known hepatic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal 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 hepatic medications, antihypertensive medications, anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, gastrointestinal medications, or multiple prescription medications. Your veterinarian can determine whether Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination 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 Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination used for in TCVM?
In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination (Yi Guan Jian) nourishes Liver Yin and Blood and regulates Liver Qi. Known as One Linking Decoction, it addresses a wide variety of patterns all stemming from the single diagnosis of Liver Blood and Yin deficiency with Qi stagnation, and is commonly used to support emotional calm, healthy liver enzyme levels, eye health, and digestive comfort in dogs and cats.
How is Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination administered?
Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination 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 hide tablets in food or a soft treat for easy administration. 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. Yin and Blood deficiency patterns often require consistent use for several weeks to months before you see significant improvement. Some animals may show earlier improvement in emotional calm and digestive comfort. Your authorizing veterinarian can help set appropriate expectations based on your pet's TCVM diagnosis.
Can Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination be combined with other medications or supplements?
Always consult your veterinarian before combining Glehnia and Rehmannia Combination with other medications or supplements. Key interactions to discuss include hepatic medications, antihypertensive medications, and anticoagulants. Your authorizing veterinarian will monitor for potential interactions through routine lab work and diagnostic testing. See the Potential Drug Interactions section above for details.