In Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (my area of expertise) This classical herbal formula is indicated for Kidney Yang Deficiency. It is one of the most potent tonifying prescriptions in Chinese herbology.  Syndrome: Lower back pain, weakness of the lower extremities, a cold sensation in the lower half of the body, tenseness in the lower abdomen, urinary difficulty with edema, or excessive urination or incontinence, irritability, a pale, swollen tongue with a thin, white, and moist coating, and an empty or frail pulse which is submerged and faint at the proximal postition.

Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome
1. Lower back pain, weakness of the lower extremities: The Kidneys govern the bones and reside in the lower back.
2. Cold sensation in the lower half/Tenseness in lower abdomen: Branch of Kidney channel diverges and enters abdomen where it can warm the Lower jiao
3. Urinary difficulty: Difficient Kidney Yang Qi is unable to transform and transport water in the body resulting in inability to regulate ascending and descending of water.
4. Difficulty laying down/Irritability: Water and Qi accumulation rebel up causing panting and irritability to the point of difficulty laying down
5. Incontinence/copious urine: Kidney Qi deficiency is unable to restrain water in the bladder.
6. Tongue/Pulse: Reflect stagnation of water and fluid with Yang deficiency.

Used for a wide variety of  Kidney yang deficient energy.The Chinese say that Kidney Fire controls Kidney Water, this remedy is used whenever fluids don't move properly, (e.g. frequent urination, insufficient urination, unusual sweating, oily skin, and edema.) Because Kidney Fire is responsible for the body's warmth, useful whenever a person is inordinately cold. This formula "roots the qi", and can be invaluable for chronic asthma and shortness of breath. In China, this formula is used for impotence, lack of sexual desire, fatigue after sexual activity, and problems of reproduction due to a "cold" uterus or "cold" sperm. Selected Discussion of Chinese Medical Prescriptions (1981, pp. 57-64) reports the following bio-medical conditions among patients that were noted to respond favorably: chronic nephritis, chronic bronchitis and asthma, weakened adrenal functioning, chronic mouth sores, and Raynaud's disease.

The Kidneys control Fear. Useful formula anytime fear causes a paralysis of movement, confusion, and indecision. It is indicated when fear makes it difficult to know or express what one wants. It is also for psychic tiredness, laziness, or irresponsibility. When a weak will cannot activate, A classical remedy for the inability to stand on one's own feet, assert oneself, and be firm. Can also be used by someone unable to discover faith, or for the (sometimes excessive) desire to surrender while unable to find a focus. When a paralysis of will causes hesitation, indecisiveness, and hopelessness, the Warrior's dynamic properties contribute positively.