熟地黄（八两） 山茱萸（去核，炙） 山药（各四两） 泽泻 牡丹皮（去木） 白
茯苓（各
三两） 黄柏（盐炒） 知母（盐炒，各二两）
肾劳，背难俯仰，小便不利，有余沥，囊湿生疮，小腹里急，便赤黄者，此方主之。
肾者，藏精之脏也。若人强力入房，以竭其精，久久则成肾劳。肾主精，精主封填骨髓
，肾精以入房而竭，则骨髓日枯矣，故背难俯仰。前阴者，肾之窍，肾气足，则能管摄小便，
而溺溺惟宜。肾气怯，则欲便而不利，既便而有余沥，斯之谓失其开合之常也。肾者水脏，
传化失宜，则水气留之，水气留之，则生湿热，故令囊湿生疮也。小腹里急者，此真水枯而
真火无制。真水枯，则命门之相火无所畏，真火无制，故灼膀胱少腹之筋膜而作里急也。便
赤黄者，亦皆火之所为。熟地、山萸，味浓者也，味浓为阴中之阴，故足以补肾间之阴血。
山药、茯苓，甘淡者也，甘能制湿，淡能渗湿，故足以去肾虚之阴湿。泽泻、丹皮，咸寒者
也，咸能润下，寒能胜热，故足以去肾间之湿热。黄柏、知母，苦润者也，润能滋阴，苦
能济火，故足以服龙雷之相火。夫去其灼阴之火，滋其济火之水，则肾间之精血日生矣。王
冰曰∶壮水之主，以制阳光。此之谓也。
熟地黄（八两） 山茱萸（去核，炙） 山药（各四两） 泽泻 牡丹皮（去木） 白茯苓（各三两） 黄柏（盐炒） 知母（盐炒，各二两）
肾劳（因房劳过度导致的肾脏虚损病证），背部难以俯仰，小便不通畅，排尿后仍有滴沥不尽，阴囊潮湿并生疮疡，小腹部拘急疼痛，大便色赤黄的，此方主治。
肾，是藏精的脏腑。如果人体强力行房，导致精气耗竭，久而久之便形成肾劳。肾主管精，精主要用来填充骨髓，肾精因为房事而枯竭，那么骨髓就会日益干枯，所以背部难以俯仰。前阴（外生殖器及尿道口），是肾的外窍，肾气充足，就能控制和管理小便，使排尿适宜顺畅。肾气虚弱，则想排尿却排不出，已经排完却还有余沥，这就叫做失去了开合的正常规律。肾是水脏，传导化功能失常，就会导致水气停留，水气停留，就会产生湿热，所以导致阴囊潮湿生疮。小腹部拘急疼痛，这是因为真水（肾阴）枯竭而真火（命门之火）失去制约。真水枯竭，则命门的相火无所畏惧，真火失去制约，所以灼烧膀胱和小腹的筋膜而导致拘急疼痛。大便色赤黄，也都是火邪造成的。熟地黄、山茱萸，味道浓厚，味道浓厚属于阴中之阴，所以足以补充肾间的阴血。山药、茯苓，味甘淡，甘味能制约湿气，淡味能渗泄湿气，所以足以去除肾虚产生的阴湿。泽泻、牡丹皮，味咸寒，咸味能润下，寒性能胜热，所以足以去除肾间的湿热。黄柏、知母，味苦润，润性能滋阴，苦性能济助火势（此处指苦坚阴以制火），所以足以平抑龙雷之相火（指妄动的相火）。除去灼伤阴液的火邪，滋补助益灭火的水液，那么肾间的精血就会日渐滋生。王冰说：壮大水的根本，以抑制阳光（亢盛的阳热）。说的就是这个道理。
Prepared Rehmanniae Radix (Shu Dihuang, 8 liang), Cornus Officinalis Fructus (Shanzhuyu, pitted and stir-fried), Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao, each 4 liang), Alisma Orientale Rhizoma (Zexie), Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi, free of wood), Poria (Baifuling, each 3 liang), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai, salt-stir-fried), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu, salt-stir-fried, each 2 liang).
This formula is indicated for Shen Lao (Kidney Exhaustion due to sexual overindulgence), characterized by difficulty in bending or extending the back, dysuria, post-void dribbling, damp scrotum with sores, urgency and tightness in the lower abdomen, and dark yellow urine.
The Kidney is the zang organ that stores Jing (Essence). If one engages in strenuous sexual activity, depleting the Jing, it will eventually lead to Kidney Exhaustion. The Kidney governs Jing, and Jing primarily fills the Marrow. When Kidney Jing is depleted by sexual intercourse, the Marrow becomes increasingly dry day by day; hence, there is difficulty in bending or extending the back. The anterior yin (external genitalia and urethral opening) is the orifice of the Kidney. When Kidney Qi is sufficient, it can control and regulate urination, making it smooth and appropriate. When Kidney Qi is weak, one may desire to urinate but cannot, or experience dribbling after voiding; this is referred to as losing the normal rhythm of opening and closing. The Kidney is a Water organ. If its transmission and transformation functions are impaired, Water Qi will stagnate. Stagnant Water Qi generates Damp-Heat, leading to a damp scrotum with sores. Urgency and tightness in the lower abdomen occur because True Water (Kidney Yin) is depleted and True Fire (Mingmen Fire) is uncontrolled. When True Water is depleted, the Ministerial Fire of Mingmen has nothing to fear; when Ministerial Fire is uncontrolled, it scorches the fascia of the Bladder and lower abdomen, causing internal urgency. Dark yellow urine is also caused by Fire. Prepared Rehmanniae Radix and Cornus Officinalis Fructus have rich flavors; rich flavors belong to Yin within Yin, thus they are sufficient to tonify the Yin and Blood in the Kidney region. Dioscoreae Rhizoma and Poria have sweet and bland flavors; sweetness can restrain Dampness, and blandness can leach out Dampness, thus they are sufficient to remove Yin-Dampness resulting from Kidney deficiency. Alisma Orientale Rhizoma and Moutan Cortex are salty and cold; saltiness can moisten and direct downwards, and coldness can overcome Heat, thus they are sufficient to eliminate Damp-Heat in the Kidney region. Phellodendri Cortex and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma are bitter and moistening; moistening can nourish Yin, and bitterness can assist Fire (here referring to bitter-cold herbs that drain fire and preserve yin), thus they are sufficient to subdue the Dragon-Lei Ministerial Fire (hyperactive Ministerial Fire). By removing the Fire that scorches Yin and nourishing the Water that controls Fire, the Essence and Blood in the Kidney region will daily increase. Wang Bing said: "Strengthen the master of Water to control the sunlight." This is what is meant.