Tortoise-Yang is based on a modern prescription by American herbalist Kenyon Keily. While not directly reflecting one of the Zhu Danxi formulations (as occurs with Tortoise-Yin), the ingredients of this prescription fairly represent those frequently mentioned in Dan Xi Zhi Fa Xin Yao chapter on various kinds of deficiency that include Hu Qian Wan. In particular, Zhu Danxi favored use of cynomorium and tortoise shell, which is here replaced by cynomorium plus asparagus (in the Tortoise-Yin formula, there is more asparagus than cynomoriu, the reverse here for the yang tonification strategy). Zhu also considered Cyperus as important component of treating stagnation that led to impaired activity. There are a number of options for utilizing yang tonification, such as Man’s Treasurer, Epimedium 8, Pyrola 11 (formerly Gecko-A), Drynaria 12, and Ecommia 18. While these all have multiple yang tonifying herbs, the orientation of each is different. They can all address characteristic yang deficiency conditions, such as low back pain, weakness of legs, impotence, and fatigue after working, and thus give the practitioner an opportunity to provide an alternative if one is not attaining desired results (presuming adequate dosage). Initial selection can be made on the basis of the full syndrome, including symptoms and other organ system involvement. As an example, the combination here of cynomorium, cuscuta, and schizandra aids in restraining loss of essence, an important therapeutic approach to someone experiencing a rather rapid deterioration in health, while Eucommia 18, which has overlapping ingredients of morinda, cynomorium (replacing earlier ingredient cistanche), achyranthes, epimedium, and ginseng, though these are mostly in lesser quantity, is suited for long-term replenishing of kidney, especially kidney yang, once the condition has lost the negative momentum, and it could replace Tortoise-Yang for that purpose, providing broader tonification strategy.

To personalize, add:
Cuscuta 15 - for urinary frequency or incontinence
Cordyceps 9 – for yang deficiency asthmatic beathing
Man’s Treasurer – for impotence and infertility
Acanthopanax 10 – for joint aching due to repeated physical strain
Tang-Kuei Tabs – for fatigue with blood deficiency
Pyrola 11 – for fatigue after wrking

This formula is intended for use over a period of several weeks, to be repeated as necessary; follow-up with a more general tonic prescription.

Crude herbs are hot water extracted and formed into 700mg tablets.