Formula Formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind

Feng Yin Tang

风引汤

Also known as:

Wind-Drawing Decoction

Formula Composition

Long Gu
Long Gu
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Mu Li ke
Mu Li ke
Da Huang
Da Huang
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang
Hua Shi
Hua Shi
Chi Shi Zhi
Chi Shi Zhi
Bai Shi Zhi
Bai Shi Zhi
Shi Gao
Shi Gao
Han Shui Shi
Han Shui Shi
Zi Shi Ying
Zi Shi Ying
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Extinguishes and pacifies Wind with heavy medicinals
  2. Calms the Mind
  3. Clears Heat

Patterns Treated

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Feng Yin Tang

Main Actions

Extinguishes and pacifies Wind with heavy medicinals
Calms the Mind
Clears Heat

Key TCM Concepts

Feng Yin Tang is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Dragon Bones (Long Gu), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), Liquorice (Gan Cao) and Oyster Shells (Mu Li ke) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind. Its main actions are: 1) extinguishes and pacifies Wind with heavy medicinals and 2) calms the Mind.

 

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 Feng Yin Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire or Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as epilepsy, stroke or schizophrenia for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
  • Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
  • Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising

Common Applications

Epilepsy Stroke Schizophrenia Hysterical psychosis Childhood febrile convulsions

Ingredients in Feng Yin Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Feng Yin Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Long Gu
Long Gu

Dragon bones

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The fossilized bone or vertebrae
Role in Feng Yin Tang
In general Long Gu's main actions are as follows: "Calms the spirit. Anchors ascendant Liver Yang. Stops leakage of Bodily Fluids."

In the context of Feng Yin Tang, it is used because it is heavy in nature and is used to pacify the Wind. It also calm the Mind. .
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Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Feng Yin Tang
Gui Zhi dispels Heat from the muscle layer and, together with Liquorice, protects the Yang of the Heart, assisting in the ascent of the clear Yang, while also directingturbid Yin downward.
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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 Feng Yin Tang
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Feng Yin Tang, it is used because it cools and resolves toxicity, but also harmonizes the many actions of this complex formula.
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Mu Li ke
Mu Li ke

Oyster shells

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Gallbladder, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The shell
Role in Feng Yin Tang
In general Mu Li ke's main actions are as follows: "Calms and anchors the spirit. Moistens Dryness. Softens and removes lumps. Nourish the Yin and subdues the overflowing of the Yang,"

In the context of Feng Yin Tang, it is used because it is heavy in nature and is used to pacify the Wind. It also calm the Mind. .
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Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Feng Yin Tang
Da Huang is bitter and cooling. It moves Qi downwards. It expels Heat through the bowels. It helps the three cooling mineral substances (Gypsum, Calcitum and Talc) to clear Fire and drain Heat to eliminate the underlying cause of this pattern. Together, these four herbs counteract the upward-moving momentum of Fireand thereby effectively treat the root.
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Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang

Dried ginger

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Feng Yin Tang
Gan Jiang is acrid, warming, and sweet. It protects the Middle Burner from the excessive coldness of the cooling ingredients.
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Hua Shi
Hua Shi

Talc

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Feng Yin Tang
Hua Shi is a cooling mineral substance that clear the Fire and heat. Together, these four ((Gypsum, Calcitum, Talc and Rhubarb ) jerbs counteract the upward-moving movement of Fire.
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Chi Shi Zhi
Chi Shi Zhi

Red Halloysite

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine
Parts Used The mineral
Role in Feng Yin Tang
Chi Shi Zhi is heavy in nature and is used to pacify the Wind. It also counterbalances the draining nature of Rhubarb and the heaviness of the mineral and animal herbs.
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Bai Shi Zhi
Bai Shi Zhi

Kaolinite

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Large Intestine
Parts Used The mineral
Role in Feng Yin Tang
Bai Shi Zhi is heavy in nature and is used to pacify the Wind. It also counterbalances the draining nature of Rhubarb and the heaviness of the mineral and animal herbs.
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Shi Gao
Shi Gao

Gypsum

Temperature Cold
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Feng Yin Tang
Shi Gao is a cooling mineral substance that clear the Fire and heat. Together, these four ((Gypsum, Calcitum, Talc and Rhubarb ) jerbs counteract the upward-moving movement of Fire.
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Han Shui Shi
Han Shui Shi

Calcitum

Temperature Cold
Taste Pungent, Salty
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys
Parts Used The powered mineral
Role in Feng Yin Tang
In general Han Shui Shi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and drains Fire. Expels Summer-Heat. Cools Hot sores and burns. Reduces edema. "

In the context of Feng Yin Tang, it is used because it is a cooling mineral substance that clear the Fire and heat. .
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Zi Shi Ying
Zi Shi Ying

Fluorite

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used The mineral
Role in Feng Yin Tang
In general Zi Shi Ying's main actions are as follows: "Calms the Mind. Warms the Lungs. Warms the Uterus. "

In the context of Feng Yin Tang, it is used because it is heavy in nature and is used to pacify the Wind. It also calm the Mind. .
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Feng Yin Tang

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

Contraindications

This is a draining formula and must not be prescribed for cases of Liver Yang associated with Blood or Yin Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Feng Yin 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.