Shopping Cart

0

Your shopping bag is empty

Go to the shop

Herbsmith Rx Zuo Gui Yin for Cats, Dogs and Horses

$70.00

Special Offers

  • First time shopping with us? Use code 20%0FF1ST for 20% off
  • Loyalty rewards program available
  • Free shipping on all orders over $99
  • Opt-in for weekly promo codes at checkout

Herb Type

Herb Size

Herbsmith Rx Zuo Gui Yin for Cats, Dogs and Horses rx lineup

Herbsmith Rx Zuo Gui Yin for Cats, Dogs and Horses

Veterinary Authorization Required for TCVM Herbal Formulas - TCVM Pet Supply

Recommended by holistic veterinarians, Herbsmith Rx Zuo Gui Yin is a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) formula that nourishes Yin and enriches the Kidneys to address Kidney Yin deficiency patterns in dogs, cats, and horses. Also known as Restore the Left Powder, Graceful Transition, Restore the Left Kidney Pill, Replenish the Left Powder, and Cyathula and Rehmannia Combination, this formula is based on Zuo Gui Yin from Zhang Jing-Yue's Jing Yue Quan Shu (Complete Works of Jing Yue, 1624). In Chinese medicine, the "left Kidney" governs Yin and Essence, making Zuo Gui Yin the classical Yin-nourishing counterpart to You Gui Yin (the right Kidney Yang formula). Available in standard powder in canine and equine blends. Dosing varies by species, body weight, and health condition; your authorizing veterinarian will determine the appropriate dose following a TCVM evaluation.

Veterinary Authorization Required - Click Here to Submit Your Authorization Request
Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation

What It Supports

  • Kidney Yin nourishment: Nourishes Kidney Yin and enriches the Kidneys, addressing the Kidney Yin deficiency root pattern underlying the signs of deficiency Heat, dryness, and depletion associated with Kidney Yin deficiency in dogs, cats, and horses.
  • Essence replenishment: Replenishes Kidney Essence (Jing), supporting the foundational Essence stored in the Kidneys that underlies vitality, reproductive function, bone health, and the body's capacity for regeneration and repair.
  • Liver Yin and Blood nourishment: Nourishes Liver Yin and Blood alongside Kidney Yin, addressing the Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency pattern where Kidney Yin deficiency fails to nourish Liver Yin and Blood, leading to the combined Liver-Kidney deficiency signs common in aging and chronic deficiency patterns.
  • Spleen support: Supports the Spleen's transforming and transporting functions to ensure the Yin-nourishing herbs are properly absorbed and distributed, preventing the formula's rich, cloying Yin tonics from impairing Spleen function.

TCVM Principles

  • Primary action: Nourish Yin and enrich the Kidneys.
  • TCVM pattern: Kidney Yin deficiency.
  • Classical antecedent: Zuo Gui Yin (Restore the Left Powder) from Zhang Jing-Yue's Jing Yue Quan Shu (Complete Works of Jing Yue, 1624). In Zhang Jing-Yue's framework, the left Kidney governs Yin and Essence while the right Kidney governs Yang and Ming Men Fire; Zuo Gui Yin restores the left Kidney's Yin and Essence, while its counterpart You Gui Yin restores the right Kidney's Yang and Ming Men Fire. Zuo Gui Yin is a gentler, more purely Yin-nourishing formula than Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, without the draining herbs (Ze Xie, Mu Dan Pi) of the Liu Wei formula.

Available Forms

  • Powder - Canine Blend (75g, 150g, 500g, 900g, 1200g): Standard herbal powder formulated for dogs and cats; mix into food twice daily at the dose prescribed by your veterinarian.
  • Powder - Equine/Horse Blend (150g, 500g, 900g, 1200g): Standard herbal powder formulated for horses; mix into grain twice daily at the dose prescribed by your veterinarian. If your horse initially refuses the herbs, start with a small amount mixed into grain and gradually increase until the horse is accustomed to the taste. Almost all horses will eat the herbs in their grain.
  • Herbal Times Teapills (100 count, double strength): Traditional teapill format with an expanded 8-herb formula including Gui Ban Jiao and Lu Jiao Jiao for deeper Yin and Essence nourishment; may be available through your veterinarian. Dose: 1 pill per 20 lbs twice daily, or as prescribed.

Ingredients

Active ingredients (Herbsmith powder format): Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Glutinosae Conquitae), Prepared rehmannia root; Shan Yao (Radix Dioscoreae Oppositae), Chinese yam root; Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii), Lycium berry; Fu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos), Poria; Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni Officinalis), Cornelian cherry fruit; Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis), Honey-fried licorice root.

Inactive ingredients (Herbsmith powder): Flaxseed.

Active ingredients (Herbal Times teapill format, with percentages): Shu Di Huang 26%, Gui Ban Jiao (tortoise plastron gelatin) 11%, Lu Jiao Jiao (deer antler gelatin) 11%, Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta seed) 11%, Gou Qi Zi 11%, Shan Yao 11%, Shan Zhu Yu 11%, Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathula root) 8%.

Veterinary Authorization Required - Click Here to Submit Your Authorization Request
Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation

Active Ingredient TCVM Actions

Zuo Gui Yin is a six-herb Kidney Yin-nourishing formula from Zhang Jing-Yue's Jing Yue Quan Shu, built around a core of Shu Di Huang as the chief Yin and Essence tonic, supported by Yin-nourishing, Spleen-strengthening, and harmonizing herbs. The Herbal Times teapill version adds Gui Ban Jiao, Lu Jiao Jiao, Tu Si Zi, and Chuan Niu Xi for deeper Essence nourishment and Yin-Yang tonification:

  • Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Glutinosae Conquitae), Prepared rehmannia root: The chief herb; nourishes Kidney Yin, replenishes Essence, and nourishes Liver Blood; the formula's primary Yin and Essence tonic and the most important Kidney Yin-nourishing herb in the Chinese materia medica. Shu Di Huang's heavy, rich nature makes it the essential chief for Kidney Yin and Essence deficiency formulas, providing the deep Yin nourishment needed to restore the Kidney's Yin foundation.
  • Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii), Lycium berry: Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, replenishes Essence, and brightens the eyes; works with Shu Di Huang as the primary Liver-Kidney Yin and Essence nourishing pair, addressing the Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency component of the pattern and supporting the Liver's Blood-storing function alongside the Kidney's Essence-storing function.
  • Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni Officinalis), Cornelian cherry fruit: Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, stabilizes Essence, and prevents leakage of Kidney Qi; the formula's primary Essence-stabilizing herb, preventing the leakage and dissipation of Kidney Essence while the chief herbs work to replenish it. Shan Zhu Yu's astringent action is essential in Kidney deficiency formulas to consolidate the Essence being restored.
  • Shan Yao (Radix Dioscoreae Oppositae), Chinese yam root: Strengthens the Spleen, nourishes Lung Yin, and stabilizes Kidney Essence; the formula's primary Spleen-strengthening herb, ensuring the rich, cloying Yin tonics (especially Shu Di Huang) are properly absorbed and distributed without impairing Spleen function. Shan Yao's triple action on the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney makes it an essential supporting herb in Kidney Yin deficiency formulas.
  • Fu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos), Poria: Strengthens the Spleen, drains Dampness, and calms the Shen; works with Shan Yao as the primary Spleen-supporting pair, preventing the formula's rich Yin tonics from generating Dampness or impairing Spleen function, and supporting the calm Shen that is often disturbed in Kidney Yin deficiency patterns with deficiency Heat.
  • Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis), Honey-fried licorice root: Strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the actions of the other herbs, and moderates the formula's more potent tonics; the formula's harmonizing herb, supporting the Spleen-strengthening action of Shan Yao and Fu Ling and ensuring the Yin-nourishing herbs work together without over-cloying or impairing digestion.
  • Gui Ban Jiao (tortoise plastron gelatin), Herbal Times teapill format only: Nourishes Yin, anchors Yang, clears deficiency Heat, and replenishes Essence; one of the most potent Yin and Essence tonics in the Chinese materia medica, providing deep constitutional Yin nourishment that plant-based herbs cannot fully replicate. Gui Ban Jiao's heavy, descending nature anchors rising Yang and clears the deficiency Heat generated by Kidney Yin deficiency.
  • Lu Jiao Jiao (deer antler gelatin), Herbal Times teapill format only: Nourishes Kidney Yang, replenishes Essence, and strengthens the sinews and bones; works with Gui Ban Jiao as the Yin-Yang Essence nourishing pair, providing the Yang Essence component needed to support Yin restoration. The Gui Ban Jiao and Lu Jiao Jiao pairing reflects the principle that Yin and Yang are mutually rooted; nourishing Yin without supporting Yang can limit the depth of Yin restoration.
  • Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta chinensis), Cuscuta seed, Herbal Times teapill format only: Nourishes Kidney Yang and Yin, stabilizes Essence, and supports the Liver and Kidney; a neutral Kidney tonic that nourishes both Yin and Yang without being strongly warming or cooling, making it an ideal supporting herb in formulas that need to nourish Yin without generating Heat.
  • Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathula officinalis), Cyathula root, Herbal Times teapill format only: Invigorates Blood, strengthens the sinews and bones, and guides the formula's actions downward to the Kidney and lower body; the formula's directing herb, guiding the Yin and Essence tonics to the Kidney and lower body where they are needed, and providing the Blood-invigorating action needed to prevent the formula's rich tonics from generating stasis.

Potential Drug Interactions

Zuo Gui Yin contains Kidney Yin-nourishing herbs (Shu Di Huang, Gou Qi Zi, Shan Zhu Yu), Spleen-strengthening herbs (Shan Yao, Fu Ling), and in the Herbal Times teapill format, animal-derived Essence tonics (Gui Ban Jiao, Lu Jiao Jiao) and a Blood-invigorating herb (Chuan Niu Xi) that may interact with certain medications. Pets on prescription medications should use this formula under veterinary supervision, as herb-drug interaction research in dogs and cats remains limited.

Medication categories warranting extra caution include immunosuppressive medications, medications for endocrine or hormonal conditions, anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications (particularly with the Herbal Times teapill format containing Chuan Niu Xi), and pets managing multiple concurrent prescriptions. Your veterinarian can determine appropriateness based on your pet's condition, current medications, and laboratory results.

Veterinary Authorization Required - Click Here to Submit Your Authorization Request
Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions is Zuo Gui Yin used for in TCVM?

Zuo Gui Yin is most commonly recommended for dogs, cats, and horses with TCVM patterns of Kidney Yin deficiency, where the Kidney's Yin and Essence have become depleted, leading to signs of deficiency Heat, dryness, restlessness, and the depletion associated with chronic Kidney Yin deficiency. Holistic veterinarians often prescribe it for aging patients, those with chronic conditions that have depleted Kidney Yin and Essence, and patients presenting with classic Kidney Yin deficiency signs such as heat-seeking behavior, night restlessness, a dry coat, and signs associated with Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency. Your veterinarian will determine whether Zuo Gui Yin is appropriate for your pet's specific TCVM pattern following an evaluation.

How is Zuo Gui Yin administered, and what are the recommended doses?

Dosing varies by species, body weight, and health condition; your authorizing veterinarian will determine the appropriate dose following a TCVM evaluation. For dogs using the Herbsmith powder, general guidelines are: under 30 lbs, half a teaspoon twice daily; 30 to 80 lbs, one teaspoon twice daily; 80 to 120 lbs, one and a half teaspoons twice daily; over 120 lbs, two teaspoons twice daily. For cats, the general guideline is a quarter teaspoon twice daily. For Herbal Times teapills, the general guideline is one pill per 20 lbs twice daily. For horses using the equine powder blend, the general guideline is two tablespoons twice daily for 20 days, then two tablespoons once daily mixed into grain. All doses are as prescribed by your veterinarian.

What is the difference between the Herbsmith powder and the Herbal Times teapill formats?

The Herbsmith powder contains six herbs: Shu Di Huang, Shan Yao, Gou Qi Zi, Fu Ling, Shan Zhu Yu, and Zhi Gan Cao, with flaxseed as an inactive ingredient. The Herbal Times teapill format contains eight herbs and adds Gui Ban Jiao (tortoise plastron gelatin), Lu Jiao Jiao (deer antler gelatin), Tu Si Zi, and Chuan Niu Xi to the base formula. Adding Gui Ban Jiao and Lu Jiao Jiao provides deeper constitutional Yin and Essence nourishment through animal-derived Essence tonics that plant-based herbs cannot fully replicate, making the Herbal Times format more appropriate for patients with deeper Kidney Yin and Essence deficiency. Your veterinarian will determine which format best fits your pet's specific pattern and degree of deficiency.

What is the difference between Zuo Gui Yin and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for Kidney Yin deficiency?

Both Zuo Gui Yin and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan address Kidney Yin deficiency, but they differ in their approach. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan uses a "three tonifying, three draining" strategy, pairing three Yin-nourishing herbs (Shu Di Huang, Shan Yao, Shan Zhu Yu) with three draining herbs (Ze Xie, Mu Dan Pi, Fu Ling) to prevent the tonics from becoming cloying. Zuo Gui Yin takes a more purely nourishing approach, removing the draining herbs and adding Gou Qi Zi and Zhi Gan Cao for deeper Yin and Essence nourishment without the draining action. Zuo Gui Yin is generally considered more appropriate for patients with deeper Kidney Yin and Essence deficiency where the priority is pure nourishment rather than the balanced tonify-and-drain approach of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. Your veterinarian will determine which formula best matches your pet's TCVM pattern.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Have a Question?

Be the first to ask a question about this.

Ask a Question