Gui Lu Er Xian Gao: Nourishing Vitality and Strengthening Kidneys
Health Lab- Jan 31
- 8 min read
Updated: May 2
Gui Lu Er Xian Gao, also known as Tortoise and Deer Two Immortals Paste, is a time-honored Chinese medicine recipe from the Ming Dynasty, first mentioned in the book Yi Bian. This paste is designed to boost energy, nourish the body, and support overall health, particularly by strengthening the kidneys.
Made with just four natural ingredients—deer antler, tortoise shell, goji berries, and ginseng—it’s a powerful blend that promotes vitality and balance. In this guide, we’ll explore its ingredients, benefits, uses, and modern applications in an easy-to-understand way.
What’s in Gui Lu Er Xian Gao?
The paste is made from four key ingredients, each playing a unique role:
Deer Antler: The star of the formula, deer antler boosts kidney health and energy, acting like the leader of the team. It supports strong bones and overall vitality.
Tortoise Shell: This ingredient complements deer antler by nourishing the body’s cooling “yin” energy and supporting kidney function. It helps with issues like sore knees or a tired lower back.
Goji Berries: These bright red berries nourish the liver and kidneys while supporting healthy blood and vision. They balance the formula by keeping it gentle and hydrating.
Ginseng: The energy booster, ginseng improves circulation, lifts your spirits, and enhances overall strength and immunity.
Together, these ingredients work to restore balance, boost energy, and strengthen the body from the inside out.
What Does It Do?
Gui Lu Er Xian Gao is perfect for people feeling run-down, weak, or out of balance due to low energy or kidney health issues. It targets symptoms like tiredness, weak knees, low libido, blurry vision, or trouble conceiving, which are often linked to low kidney energy or poor blood flow. Here’s what it can do:
Nourishes the Body: Replenishes kidney health and hydrates the body’s “yin” energy.
Boosts Energy: Enhances stamina and vitality by strengthening “yang” energy.
Supports Kidney Health: Improves sexual health and kidney function.
Strengthens Bones: Promotes strong bones and helps prevent conditions like osteoporosis.
Promotes Longevity: Supports anti-aging and overall wellness.
Benefits
Healthier Skin, Hair, and Nails: The paste is rich in collagen and amino acids, which help keep skin elastic, reduce wrinkles, and support strong hair and nails.
Stronger Bones: With calcium and collagen, it supports bone health, helps the body absorb calcium better, and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
More Energy: Ginseng and amino acids boost physical and mental energy, helping you feel more alert and active every day.
Modern Uses
Today, Gui Lu Er Xian Gao is used for more than just traditional symptoms. Modern research shows it can help with:
Hormonal Balance: Eases symptoms of menopause, anemia, or hormonal imbalances.
Bone Health: Prevents and treats osteoporosis thanks to its collagen and calcium content.
Joint and Nerve Health: Reduces joint pain from arthritis and eases nervous tension or fatigue.
Sexual Health: Improves libido, erectile function, and fertility for both men and women.
Immune Support: Boosts immunity and supports recovery from chronic conditions like tuberculosis.
Circulation: Improves blood flow, helping with issues like cold hands and feet or limb weakness.
How to Take It
Gui Lu Er Xian Gao is versatile and can be enjoyed in several ways:
As a Drink: Dissolve the paste in hot water, stir, and sip it warm. This is quick and great for daily use.
With Wine: Mix the paste into a small glass (about 100 ml) of warm rice wine or your favorite wine. This boosts circulation and adds a fun twist.
In Soup: Add the paste to chicken, pork, or veggie soup after cooking to avoid sticking. This blends the nutrients into a hearty, nourishing meal.
Best Times to Take It
Morning (Empty Stomach): Absorbs quickly to kickstart your day.
Before Bed: Helps your body repair and recharge overnight.
Who Should Avoid It and Possible Side Effects
Gui Lu Er Xian Gao is a warming paste, so it’s not for everyone. Avoid it if you:
Are menstruating (it may disrupt normal flow).
Have weak digestion or loose stools.
Struggle with sleep issues or dry mouth.
Are prone to acne or have ongoing skin issues.
Have chronic health conditions or suddenly feel unwell.
Precautions
Avoid Cold Foods: Skip chilly fruits like watermelon or grapefruit when taking the paste, as they can weaken its warming effects.
Watch Potassium: The paste has high potassium, so those with kidney issues should consult a doctor.
Use Sparingly: Long-term use should be guided by a healthcare professional to avoid side effects like digestive discomfort or overheating.
Try It in a Recipe: Tortoise and Deer Chicken Soup
This nourishing soup is a delicious way to enjoy the paste’s benefits.
Ingredients:
Tortoise shell (30g, pre-soaked)
Deer antler (10g, pre-soaked)
Chicken (500g, cut into pieces)
Lotus seeds (20g, soaked)
A few slices of ginger
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Boil the chicken in water, skim off any foam, and rinse it clean.
Add fresh water to a pot, then toss in the chicken, tortoise shell, deer antler, lotus seeds, and ginger.
Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 1.5–2 hours until the flavors meld.
Add salt, stir, and enjoy!
This soup is tasty and great for boosting kidney health. Check with a doctor if you have specific health concerns.
Final Thoughts
Gui Lu Er Xian Gao is a powerful, natural way to boost energy, support kidney health, and promote overall wellness. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your bones, improve your vitality, or simply feel younger, this paste offers a gentle, time-tested solution. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting, especially if you have health conditions or are new to Chinese medicine. Enjoy the benefits of this ancient remedy and feel your best!
Chinese Name | 龜鹿二仙膠 |
Phonetic | Gui Lu er Xian Jiao |
English Name | Tortoise Shell and Deer Horn Two Immortals Glue |
Classification | Tonic formulas |
Source | 《Doctor’s Memo》Yi Bian《醫便》 |
Combination | Cervi Cornu (Lu Jiao) 10 jin (5000g), Testudinis Plastrum (Gui Ban) 5 jin (2500g), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 15 liang (450g), Lycii Fructus (Gou Qi Zi) 30 liang (900g) |
Method | Put the lu jiao, gui ban, and ren shen into a separate bag, place it into a lead jar, and then soak it in flowing water for three days. If a lead jar is not available, please place a large piece of lead under the container that will be used. After three days, seal the container with yellow wax and then put the container in a big pot and boil for seven days and nights. To prevent the two medicinals from being boiled away, remember to add water once a day into the lead jar, five times every twenty-four hours. Remove the lu jiao and gui ban when they become crisp. Divide the dregs, named lu jiao shuang and guī jia shuang and the clear juice for separate storage. Boil the ren shen and gou qi in a cuprum pan with thirty-six bowls of water until there is no water visible. Wrap the two medicinals with a piece of new cloth and twist it until the juice is collected. Put the dregs back to the pot and boil them again with twenty-four bowls of water. Repeat this process three times until the dregs become tasteless. Mix the juice of lu jiao and gui ban with that of ren shen and gou qi and boil them with gentle fire until it thickens into a jelly-like substance. It is suggested to take it with wine on an empty stomach. The initial dosage is 1.5 qian (4.5g). After ten days, the dosage can be increased to 6g (1.5g more). Following this measure, the dosage can be increased gradually until it reaches 3 qian (9g). Thereafter, the 9g dose can be maintained and taken for a long time. (Modern preparation: Put all the four ingredients into a lead jar and decoct them together until the jelly is obtained. It is suggested to take the jelly with wine starting from 4.5g, and gradually increasing it up to 9g, on an empty stomach.) |
Action | Enriches yin and supplements essence, boosts qi and strengthens yang. |
Indication | Gui Lu er Xian Jiao is applicable for patterns of kidney yin and yang deficiency with essence and blood insufficiency. The clinical symptoms are marked by emaciation, impotence, spermatorrhea, infertility, dim-vision, and aching and weakness of waist and knees. |
Pathogenesis | The pathogenesis of the corresponding pattern is insufficiency of kidney yin essence and kidney yang. The kidney essence can be consumed either from congenital reasons or from depletion of the acquired diseases as qi and blood are generated by the spleen and stomach, and blood and essence are stored and nourished by the kidney and liver. The root of the disease lies in the kidney, which then affects the body’s yin, yang, qi and blood, so the symptoms mainly stem from the disorder of the kidney system. The treatment should be to supplement essence and boost marrow, supplement qi and blood, yin and yang at the same time. |
Application | 1. Essential pattern differentiation This formula supplements yin and yang, qi and blood, kidney and liver, spleen and stomach at the same time. This clinical pattern is marked by aching and weakness of waist and knees, dim-sighted, impotence, spermatorrhea. 2. Modern applications Gui Lu er Xian Jiao is currently used to treat maldevelopment caused by dysendocrinia, severe anemia, neuradynamia and hypogonadism when the pattern is differentiated as yin and yang deficiency according to traditional Chinese medicine. 3. Cautions and contraindications This is a pure supplementing formula and is not appropriate for those with a weak spleen-stomach system causing poor appetite, loose stools, and so on. However, it can be taken together with Si Jun Zi Tang in order to boost the digestion. |
Additonal formulae | Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan (Seven Treasures Beard-Blackening Elixir 七寶美髯丹) [Source]《The Grand Compendium of Materia Medica》Ben Cao Gang Mu《本草綱目》 [Ingredients] he shou wu (steam in black bean) 2 jin (1000g), chi fu ling 1 jin (500g), fu ling 1 jin (500g), niu xi 8 liang (240g), dang gui (wine-washed) 8 liang (240g), gou qi zi (wine-washed) 8 liang (240g), tu si zi (wine-washed) 8 liang (240g), bu gu zhi (dry-fry with black sesame seeds) 4 liang (120g) [Preparation and Administration] Grind the ingredients into powder and form into 9 g pills with honey. The normal dosage is one pill in the morning and evening taken with warm salted water. Pots made from iron are specifically forbidden for use in the preparation of this decoction. [Actions] Enriches the kidney and liver, blackens hair and strengthens bone. [Applicable Patterns] Kidney and liver insufficency. Symptoms include: premature graying of the hair or hair loss, loose teeth, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees. Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions, infertility due to kidney deficiency . |
Remark | 1. Reeves' Terrapin (Chinemys reevesii / Mauremys reevesii) is listed as "Endangered" in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Also, it is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix III. Its trade is regional control and subject to permits or certificates of origin. 2. Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II. Its trade is allowed but subject to licensing controls. |
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