Lamb and Cuscuta Seed Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes the kidneys and enhances virility. Suitable for erectile dysfunction caused by kidney yang deficiency.
given the warm nature, caution is advised if the tongue is red with scant coating or there is tidal fever and night sweats; as a warming-tonic formula, it is not for those with excess heat, damp-heat, or unresolved exterior patterns
Commentary
At the head stands Lamb, the sovereign, with warm nature and sweet flavor, having Spleen, Kidney, Stomach tropism; it warms the middle, tonifies qi, and invigorates kidney yang, underpinning the principal thrust of the decoction. The ministerial layer, chinese yam (nature neutral, flavor sweet, channeled into the Spleen, Lung, Kidney, tonifies the spleen and lung, nourishes the kidney and astringes essence), and dodder seeds (nature neutral, flavor pungent, sweet, channeled into the Liver, Kidney, Spleen, tonifies the liver and kidneys, secures essence, and calms the fetus), lends support that reinforces the sovereign’s main effect. The formula is rounded out by cistanche and peppercorns, tempering the formula’s tendency, and japonica rice, harmonizing the stomach and supporting dietary nourishment, and scallions, harmonizing the stomach and supporting dietary nourishment, and ginger, acting as the envoy to harmonize the various ingredients, keeping the combination balanced and well-tempered. Viewed as a whole, the formula addresses the yang deficiency presentation, treating both root and branch.