Two Immortals Lamb Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Warms yang and tonifies the kidneys. Suitable for menopausal syndrome of the kidney yang deficiency type, characterized by menstrual irregularities before and after menopause, heavy menstrual flow, or even excessive bleeding and irregular discharge; or profuse, white, watery vaginal discharge; a dull complexion; aversion to cold with cold limbs; mental fatigue and weakness; soreness and coldness in the lower back and knees; or facial and limb edema; poor appetite and loose stools;frequent nighttime urination, a pale, swollen tongue with tooth marks, a thin white coating, and a deep, fine pulse.
given the warm nature, caution is advised if the tongue is red with scant coating or there is tidal fever and night sweats; warming tonics readily stir heat and burden the spleen; caution is advised where dampness-heat or food stagnation accumulates in the middle; some ingredients are mildly toxic; strictly follow the prescribed amounts, avoid long-term use, and exercise caution in children, pregnancy, and the weak
Commentary
The sovereign is lamb, nature warm, flavor sweet, channeled into the Spleen, Kidney, Stomach; it warms the middle, tonifies qi, and invigorates kidney yang, anchoring the central strategy of the formula. The ministerial layer, curculigo (warm in nature and pungent in flavor, with Kidney, Liver tropism, tonifies kidney yang, strengthens the sinews and bones, and dispels cold-dampness), and epimedium (of warm nature and pungent, sweet flavor, entering the Liver, Kidney, tonifies kidney yang, strengthens the sinews and bones, dispels wind-damp), lends support that reinforces the sovereign’s main effect. The formula is rounded out by 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. Together the herbs converge on this action, in accord with the yang deficiency pattern.