Caprae seu Ovis Vesica
Aliases：Yáng Bāo (Sheep Bladder), from Qianjin Fang (Essential Formulas for Emergencies).
Yáng Pāo (Sheep Bladder) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the urinary bladder of the goat (Capra hircus Linnaeus) or sheep (Ovis aries Linnaeus), animals belonging to the family Bovidae. As a medicinal material derived from animal organs, it is known for warming the lower burner and consolidating urination, and is commonly used for frequent urination and enuresis due to Qi deficiency in the lower burner. Yáng Pāo was first recorded in Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu).
Efficacy & Actions
Reduces excessive urination. It is also recorded as having the effects of replenishing bladder damage and consolidating the Qi of the lower burner.
Indications
ndicated for Qi deficiency in the lower burner, frequent urination, and enuresis. Suixiju Yinshi Pu (Suixiju Dietetic Manual) records: "Replenishes bladder damage, consolidates the Qi of the lower burner. It is suitable for those with debility or postpartum enuresis."
Ingredients
The sheep bladder mainly contains proteins, fats, and various amino acids, among other nutrients. As an animal organ, specific research on its chemical constituents is limited.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: roast and eat, one bladder; or dry and grind into powder, then take with wine, 9–15 g.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with fire excess in the lower burner—as this product is warm in nature, it should not be used in those with Yin deficiency with fire excess or heat in the lower burner. Should be used under the guidance of a physician. Do not self-medicate.
Selected Formulas
For bed‑wetting (enuresis) (Qianjin Fang) Take one sheep bladder, fill it with water, and roast it over charcoal fire until the meat is cooked. Eat on an empty stomach. For urinary incontinence due to lower deficiency (Benjing Fengyuan) Take one sheep bladder, rinse thoroughly in warm water, stuff with Buguzhi (Psoralea fruit), dry‑roast until crisp, and grind into powder. Take 0.5 liang at bedtime with warm wine.
Daily Consumption
Roasted: Take one sheep bladder, wash it thoroughly, roast it, and consume. Dried and powdered: Dry the sheep bladder and grind it into powder. Take 9–15 g each time with warm wine. Psoralea and Sheep Bladder Soup: Take 15 g of Psoralea (Bǔ Gǔ Zhī) and 150–200 g of sheep bladder. Cut the bladder into small pieces, add water, and stew into a soup. Season with salt, and consume both the soup and the bladder.
Medicinal Parts
The urinary bladder of goats (Capra hircus) or sheep (Ovis aries), animals belonging to the family Bovidae.
Selection & Storage
Use fresh or refrigerate. For long-term storage, it may be washed and frozen at low temperature.
