Recommended by holistic veterinarians, Herbsmith Rx Morinda Hindend Support is a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) herbal formula designed to tonify Qi, nourish Yin, warm the back, and strengthen the hindlimbs in dogs and cats with chronic progressive hindlimb weakness. In TCVM, this pattern is known as Wei syndrome: the chronic, progressive depletion of Kidney Yin and Qi that leads to an older animal losing strength and function in the hindquarters. The Kidneys are the root of all Yin and Yang in the body; they govern the bones, the marrow, and the strength and vitality of the lower body. As the Kidneys' Yin and Qi decline - through aging, chronic illness, or constitutional depletion - they can no longer adequately nourish and warm the sinews, bones, and muscles of the hindlimbs, producing the gradual, progressive weakening that characterizes Wei syndrome. The nine herbs in Morinda Hindend Support tonify Kidney Yang and Qi to restore the warming and activating function the hindlimbs need, nourish Kidney and Liver Yin to restore the nourishing substance the sinews and bones depend on, strengthen the sinews and bones of the lower back and hindlimbs directly, and move Qi and Blood to ensure the tonifying and nourishing herbs are circulated to the hindlimb tissues. Available in powder for dogs and cats (75g, 150g, 500g, 900g, 1200g). Dosing varies by body weight; your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.
Precaution: Not to be used in pregnant pets.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
What It Supports
- Chronic progressive hindlimb weakness from Kidney Yin and Qi depletion (Wei syndrome): The TCVM pattern of Wei syndrome is the gradual, progressive decline of hindlimb strength and function arising from long-standing Kidney Yin and Qi deficiency; as the Kidneys lose their capacity to nourish and warm the sinews, bones, and muscles of the lower body, the hindlimbs progressively weaken; this formula specifically addresses the Kidney deficiency root of Wei syndrome rather than only the hindlimb symptom.
- Kidney Yang and Qi tonification to restore warming and activating function to the lower body: Ba Ji Tian, Du Zhong, Gui Zhi, and Huang Qi tonify Kidney Yang and Qi, restoring the warming and activating function that drives Qi and Blood to the hindlimb tissues; the Kidneys' Yang governs the warmth and active function of the lower body; when Kidney Yang and Qi decline, the lower back and hindlimbs lose their Yang warmth, becoming cold, weak, and unable to sustain normal function.
- Kidney and Liver Yin nourishment to restore the nourishing substance the hindlimb sinews and bones depend on: Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui Tou, and Fang Hua Fen nourish Kidney and Liver Yin and Blood, restoring the deep nourishing substance that the sinews, bones, and muscles of the hindlimbs require for their structural integrity and functional strength; Kidney Yin is the foundational Yin of the entire body and the root from which the Liver Yin and Blood that nourish the sinews are generated.
- Hindlimb strengthening and lower body channel opening to deliver nourishment to the hindquarters: Chuan Niu Xi, Wu Yao, and Gui Zhi open the channels and collaterals of the lower limbs, direct the formula's tonic action downward to the hindquarters, strengthen the sinews and bones of the lower body, and move Qi through the lower Jiao to prevent the tonic herbs from creating stagnation; delivering the formula's Kidney tonic action to the actual hindlimb tissues requires open channels through which that nourishment can circulate.
TCVM Principles
- Primary action: Tonify Kidney Yang and Qi to restore warming and activating function to the lower body, nourish Kidney and Liver Yin and Blood to restore the deep nourishing substance the hindlimb sinews and bones depend on, strengthen the sinews and bones of the lower back and hindlimbs, warm the back and lower Jiao, open the channels and collaterals of the lower limbs, and move Qi and Blood to ensure tonic action reaches the hindquarter tissues.
- Approach: In TCVM, Wei syndrome describes a pattern of progressive, non-painful muscular atrophy and weakness of the hindlimbs arising from the chronic depletion of Kidney Yin and Qi. The Kidneys are the foundation of all Yin and Yang in the body; they store the constitutional Essence (Jing) that determines vitality and longevity, govern the bones and marrow, and root the lower body's strength and function. As animals age, the Kidney Yin and Qi naturally decline; when this decline is significant, the Kidneys can no longer adequately nourish the sinews and bones or warm and activate the muscles of the hindlimbs. The result is the gradual, progressive hindlimb weakening of Wei syndrome: the hindquarters lose strength and muscle mass, the lower back loses its warmth and stability, and the animal progressively loses the ability to rise, stand, and move normally. Because Kidney Yin and Yang are interdependent, significant Kidney Yin depletion also impairs the Kidney Yang that warms and activates the lower body, and vice versa; this formula addresses both dimensions with a combined strategy of Yin nourishment and Yang warming that reflects the TCVM principle that restoring Kidney function requires supporting both its Yin and Yang aspects together. Huang Qi adds Qi tonification to support the overall constitutional Qi that drives the circulation of tonic herbs to the hindlimb tissues, and the channel-opening and directional herbs (Chuan Niu Xi, Wu Yao, Gui Zhi) ensure the formula's combined tonic action reaches its hindlimb target.
Available Forms
- 75g Powder: Starter size for cats and small dogs; mix into food twice daily.
- 150g Powder: Mid-size supply for small to medium dogs or a 1-2 month supply for cats.
- 500g Powder: Standard supply for medium to large dogs; appropriate for the long-term constitutional use that Wei syndrome management typically requires.
- 900g Powder: Larger supply for big dogs or multi-pet households.
- 1200g Powder: Bulk size for very large dogs or extended treatment courses.
Ingredients
Active ingredients: Ba Ji Tian (Morinda officinalis) - Morinda root; Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa, prepared) - Prepared Rehmannia root; Dang Gui Tou (Angelica sinensis, head) - Angelica root head (Tang Kuei); Fang Hua Fen (Apsis) - as listed; Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus) - Astragalus root; Wu Yao (Lindera aggregata) - Lindera root; Du Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides) - Eucommia bark; Gui Zhi (Cinnamomum cassia, twig) - Cinnamon twig; Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathula officinalis) - Cyathula root.
Inactive ingredients: Flaxseed (in all powder forms).
Not to be used in pregnant pets.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Active Ingredient TCVM Actions
Morinda Hindend Support is a nine-herb formula organized around three complementary strategies: Kidney Yang and Qi tonification to restore warming and activating function to the lower body, Kidney and Liver Yin and Blood nourishment to restore the deep nourishing substance the hindlimb sinews and bones depend on, and channel opening and directional action to deliver the formula's tonic effects to the hindquarter tissues:
- Ba Ji Tian (Morinda officinalis) - Morinda root: The chief herb and formula namesake; tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence, strengthens the sinews and bones, dispels Wind-Cold-Dampness from the channels, and specifically strengthens the lower back and hindlimbs; Ba Ji Tian is one of the most important herbs in the TCVM materia medica for Kidney Yang deficiency with hindlimb weakness and lower back debility; its Kidney Yang tonification provides the foundational warming and activating function that the declining Kidneys can no longer generate independently; also directly strengthens the sinews and bones of the lower body that have weakened in the absence of adequate Kidney Yang and Essence nourishment.
- Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa, prepared) - Prepared Rehmannia root: The most important Kidney and Liver Yin and Blood tonic in the TCVM materia medica; strongly nourishes Kidney Yin, Essence, and Blood, and tonifies Liver Blood; the prepared (Shu) form is warming and deeply tonifying, as opposed to the raw (Sheng) form which is cooling; Shu Di Huang provides the deep Yin and Blood nourishment that restores the foundational Kidney substance depleted by chronic illness, aging, or constitutional deficiency; its Kidney Yin nourishment replenishes the root from which the Liver Yin and Blood that nourish the hindlimb sinews are generated.
- Dang Gui Tou (Angelica sinensis, head) - Angelica root head (Tang Kuei): Nourishes and tonifies Liver Blood without strongly moving it; the head preparation of Angelica root is specifically tonifying in nature; nourishes Liver Blood as the substance that keeps sinews supple and functional, and adds Blood nourishment to the formula's Kidney Yin tonification strategy; also mildly moves Blood to ensure the nourished Blood circulates to the hindlimb sinew tissue.
- Fang Hua Fen (Apsis) - as listed: Included as listed in the formula's source material; your authorizing veterinarian can provide additional information about this ingredient's role in the formula's overall therapeutic strategy.
- Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus) - Astragalus root: The most important Qi tonic in the TCVM materia medica; strongly tonifies Spleen and Lung Qi, raises clear Yang, consolidates Wei Qi (defensive Qi), and promotes the generation and circulation of Qi and Blood; Huang Qi's Qi tonification provides the constitutional Qi needed to drive the circulation of the formula's Yin and Yang tonic herbs to the hindlimb tissues; without sufficient Qi to drive circulation, the tonic herbs may build Yin and Yang substance without effectively delivering it to the target tissues; also raises the clear Yang that tends to sink in older animals with Kidney Qi deficiency, supporting the upright posture and hindlimb strength needed for normal locomotion.
- Wu Yao (Lindera aggregata) - Lindera root: Moves Qi, warms the Kidneys, disperses Cold, and relieves Qi Stagnation in the lower Jiao; the formula's primary lower Jiao Qi-moving herb; in a formula containing multiple powerful Yin and Yang tonics, Wu Yao prevents the tonic herbs from causing Qi stagnation in the lower body; also warms the Kidney Yang and disperses the Cold that accumulates in the lower Jiao when Kidney Yang is deficient, addressing the cold lower back and hindquarters that accompany Kidney Yang decline.
- Du Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides) - Eucommia bark: Tonifies Kidney Yang and Liver Yin, strengthens the sinews and bones of the lower back and lower limbs, and calms the fetus; one of the most important herbs in TCVM specifically for lower back and hindlimb weakness from Kidney deficiency; Du Zhong directly strengthens the bones and sinews of the lumbar spine and hindlimbs through its combined Kidney Yang and Liver Yin tonification, addressing both the Yang-warming and Yin-nourishing aspects of the sinew and bone weakness in Wei syndrome; note: despite calming-fetus properties, this formula is contraindicated in pregnancy due to other ingredients.
- Gui Zhi (Cinnamomum cassia, twig) - Cinnamon twig: Warms the channels and collaterals, opens the circulation to the extremities and lower limbs, dispels Cold, and harmonizes Ying and Wei Qi; the formula's primary channel-warming herb; Gui Zhi warms and opens the channels and collaterals of the limbs, ensuring the formula's Kidney Yang and Yin tonic action can reach the hindlimb sinew and muscle tissue; provides the channel-warming function that drives the tonic herbs to their hindlimb target, and dispels the Cold that has accumulated in the lower body channels from Kidney Yang deficiency.
- Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathula officinalis) - Cyathula root: Invigorates Blood, opens channels and collaterals of the lower limbs, strengthens the sinews and bones, and guides the formula's actions downward to the lower body and hindquarters; the formula's primary directional herb and lower-body channel opener; Chuan Niu Xi specifically directs the therapeutic action of the other eight herbs downward to the hindlimbs and lower back, ensuring the formula's Kidney tonic, sinew-strengthening, and channel-opening actions are concentrated where they are needed; also directly strengthens the sinews and bones through its Liver and Kidney-entering nature.
Potential Drug Interactions
Herbsmith Rx Morinda Hindend Support contains Dang Gui Tou (Angelica sinensis), which has mild Blood-moving properties; Huang Qi (Astragalus), a powerful immune-modulating Qi tonic; and multiple Kidney Yang-warming herbs, including Ba Ji Tian and Du Zhong. This formula is contraindicated in pregnant pets. Dogs and cats on prescription medications should use this formula under veterinary supervision.
Medication categories warranting extra caution include immunosuppressive medications (Huang Qi has well-documented immune-modulating properties; concurrent use with corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants should be coordinated with your veterinarian), anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications (Dang Gui Tou has mild Blood-moving properties), hormone-sensitive conditions (Kidney Yang-warming herbs may influence hormonal pathways; use under veterinary supervision in animals on hormone therapies), and animals on multiple concurrent prescription medications. Your veterinarian can determine appropriateness based on your pet's condition, current medications, and laboratory results.
Not to be used in pregnant pets.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wei syndrome, and how do I know if my dog or cat has it?
Wei syndrome is a TCVM pattern describing chronic, progressive hindlimb weakness and atrophy arising from the long-term depletion of Kidney Yin and Qi. In conventional terms, it most commonly corresponds to the progressive hindlimb weakness of degenerative myelopathy, chronic intervertebral disc disease affecting the thoracolumbar spine, lumbosacral stenosis, or general age-related hindlimb decline. Characteristic signs include gradual loss of hindlimb strength and muscle mass, difficulty rising from lying down, stumbling or knuckling of the hind paws, reduced endurance, lower back weakness, and cold or under-muscled hindquarters. The progression is typically slow and non-painful (distinguishing it from acute disc herniation with spinal discomfort). Wei syndrome most commonly affects older dogs and cats, reflecting the natural decline of Kidney Yin and Qi with aging. Your authorizing veterinarian can confirm the appropriate TCVM pattern diagnosis and determine whether this formula matches your pet's presentation.
How is Morinda Hindend Support administered, and what are the recommended doses?
Mix the powder directly into your pet's food twice daily. For dogs: under 15 lbs, give 1/4 teaspoon twice daily; 15-30 lbs, give 1/2 teaspoon twice daily; 31-80 lbs, give 1 teaspoon twice daily; 81-120 lbs, give 1-1/2 teaspoons twice daily; over 120 lbs, give 2 teaspoons twice daily. For cats: give 1/4 teaspoon twice daily. Administer as prescribed by your authorizing veterinarian, who may adjust dosing based on your pet's specific pattern and response. Do not use this formula in pregnant pets.
How long does it take to see results with Morinda Hindend Support?
Because Wei syndrome is a chronic constitutional Kidney deficiency pattern, improvement is gradual and requires consistent long-term use. Animals with milder or earlier-stage hindlimb weakness may show some improvement in strength, ease of rising, and hindlimb endurance within 4 to 8 weeks of consistent twice-daily use. Animals with more advanced or longer-standing Wei syndrome may require 2 to 3 months before meaningful improvement is apparent, as restoring Kidney Yin and Yang from a state of chronic depletion is a sustained process. Because the underlying Kidney deficiency tends to be a progressive, age-related pattern, long-term daily use is typically appropriate and often the most effective approach for maintaining hindlimb function over time. Your authorizing veterinarian can monitor your pet's response and adjust dosing or formula as needed.
Can Morinda Hindend Support be used alongside conventional treatments for hindlimb weakness or degenerative myelopathy?
Yes! This formula is designed to be used under veterinary supervision as part of a comprehensive integrative protocol for hindlimb support, and can generally be coordinated with conventional treatments for degenerative spinal conditions. The TCVM mechanisms of Kidney Yin and Yang tonification and Qi strengthening are generally complementary to conventional supportive care and rehabilitation approaches for chronic progressive hindlimb weakness. Concurrent use with immunosuppressive medications or corticosteroids warrants veterinary coordination, as Huang Qi has immune-modulating properties. This formula is contraindicated in pregnant pets regardless of other treatments being used. Your veterinarian can determine the appropriate integrative protocol based on your pet's specific diagnosis, medications, and overall condition.