Formula Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify

Bai He Gu Jin Tang

百合固金汤

Also known as:

Lily Bulb Decoction to Consolidate the Lungs , Lily Bulb Decoction to Preserve the Metal

Formula Composition

Bai He
Bai He
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Di Huang
Di Huang
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
Xuan Shen
Xuan Shen
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
  2. Moistens the Lung
  3. Transfers Phlegm
  4. Clears Heat
  5. Reliefs Cough

Patterns Treated

Body Fluids Deficiency, Lung Dryness, Lung Yin Deficiency, Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire

Historical Origin

Writings for Posterity of [Zhou] Shen-Zhai (1573 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Bai He Gu Jin Tang

Main Actions

Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
Moistens the Lung
Transfers Phlegm
Clears Heat
Reliefs Cough

Key TCM Concepts

Bai He Gu Jin Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Lily Bulbs (Bai He), Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) and Unprepared Rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1573 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin and 2) moistens the Lung.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Bai He Gu Jin Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Body Fluids Deficiency, Lung Dryness or Lung Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as absence of menstruation, chronic bronchitis or chronic pharyngitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Body Fluids Deficiency
  • Lung Dryness
  • Lung Yin Deficiency
  • Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire

Common Applications

Absence of menstruation Chronic bronchitis Chronic pharyngitis Spontaneous pneumothorax Corpulmonale Silicosis Pulmonary tuberculosis Asthma Bronchiectasis with hemoptysis

Ingredients in Bai He Gu Jin Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Bai He Gu Jin Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Bai He
Bai He

Lily bulbs

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dried fleshly scale leaves of the bulb
Role in Bai He Gu Jin Tang
In general Bai He's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and stops cough due to either Lung Yin Deficiency or Lung-Heat. Clears Heat from the Heart and calms the Spirit (Shen)."

In the context of Bai He Gu Jin Tang, it is used because it moistens and nourishes Dryness in the Lungs, and clears Heat.
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Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang

Prepared rehmannia

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Shu Di huang is a very powerful tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin. Together with its sister herb Unprepared rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang), it is also especially helpful in treating Fire due to Yin Deficiency.
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Di Huang
Di Huang

Unprepared Rehmannia

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Sheng Di Huang strongly enriches the Yin and tonifies the Kidneys. It also cools the Blood to stop the bleeding since, according to Chinese medicine, excessive Heat in the Blood damages the vessels and leads to bleeding.
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Mai Dong
Mai Dong

Dwarf lilyturf roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Mai Dong is an important herb for tonifying the Yin, especially that of the Upper Burner. It also assist Lily bulb (Bai He) and the other two key herbs with their actions on the Lungs.
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Xuan Shen
Xuan Shen

Ningpo figwort roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Xuan Shen helps the Kidney water ascend to the Lungs and is very efficient at clearing Fire from Deficiency and treating steaming bone condition.
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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Dang Gui , together with White peony roots, another assistant herb, nourish the Blood to support the Yin. Also they together protect the Lungs from violation thanks to their action of calming the Liver.
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Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Jie Geng facilitates the movement of Lung Qi and stops coughing, especially when combined with Fritillary bulbs (Chuan Bei Mu), as is the case here.
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Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu

Sichuan Fritillary bulbs

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dried bulb
Role in Bai He Gu Jin Tang
In general Chuan Bei Mu's main actions are as follows: "Clears Hot Phlegm and stops cough. Clears Lung Heat caused by Yin Deficiency. Clears Heat and reduces hard lumps and swellings."

In the context of Bai He Gu Jin Tang, it is used because it moistens the Lungs, transforms Phlegm, and stops coughing.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Gan Cao harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and, in combination with Platycodon root (Jie Geng), improves the status of the throat.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Bai Shao , together with Dong quoi, another assistant herb, nourish the Blood to support the Yin. Also they together protect the Lungs from violation thanks to their action of calming the Liver.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Bai He Gu Jin Tang

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

This formula should be used with caution or modified in patients with Spleen Deficiency or food Stagnation. Failure to do so may result in indigestion or diarrhea. It should not be used for patients with Exterior conditions.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Bai He Gu Jin Tang may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.