Formula External formulas for External disorders

Yin Qiao San

银翘散

Also known as:

Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder , Lonicera and Forsythia combination , Forsythia Lonicera Powder

Formula Composition

Jin Yin Hua
Jin Yin Hua
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
Niu Bang Zi
Niu Bang Zi
Bo He
Bo He
Dan Dou Chi
Dan Dou Chi
Jing Jie
Jing Jie
Dan Zhu Ye
Dan Zhu Ye
Lu Gen
Lu Gen
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Disperses Wind Heat
  2. Clears Heat
  3. Resolves Toxicity

Patterns Treated

Wind-Heat invading the Lungs, Wind-Heat, Exterior-Heat, Toxic-Heat

Historical Origin

Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Yin Qiao San

Main Actions

Disperses Wind Heat
Clears Heat
Resolves Toxicity

Key TCM Concepts

Yin Qiao San is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua) and Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1798 AD, it belongs to the category of external formulas for External disorders. Its main actions are: 1) disperses Wind Heat and 2) clears Heat.

 

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 Yin Qiao San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Heat invading the Lungs, Wind-Heat or Exterior-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, influenza or bronchitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
  • Wind-Heat
  • Exterior-Heat
  • Toxic-Heat

Common Applications

Common cold Influenza Bronchitis Pneumonia Tonsillitis Measles Mumps Meningitis Encephalitis B

Ingredients in Yin Qiao San

Detailed information about each herb in Yin Qiao San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Jin Yin Hua
Jin Yin Hua

Honeysuckle flowers

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried flower bud
Role in Yin Qiao San
Jin Yin Hua acrid, cool, and fragrant. It releases the Exterior, clear Heat fromthe Lungs and resolve Toxicity.
View herb details
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao

Forsythia fruits

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried fruit
Role in Yin Qiao San
Lian Qiao acrid, cool, and fragrant. It releases the Exterior, clear Heat fromthe Lungs and resolve Toxicity.
View herb details
Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Yin Qiao San
Jie Geng spreads the Lung Qi and improves the throat. Also, Liquorice and Platycoden together are very strong in treating sore throat.
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Niu Bang Zi
Niu Bang Zi

Greater burdock fruits

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Yin Qiao San
In general Niu Bang Zi's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Heat. Allows the release of toxicity from the surface and clears Heat. Reduces swelling and clears pathogenic Heat. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieves sore throat."

In the context of Yin Qiao San, it is used because it spreads the Lung Qi and improves the throat.
View herb details
Bo He
Bo He

Wild mint

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Yin Qiao San
In general Bo He's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind-Heat. Clears Wind-Heat from the head, eyes and throat. Allows the release of toxins from the skin. Moves Stagnant Liver Qi"

In the context of Yin Qiao San, it is used because it helps the key herbs to release exterior Heat.
View herb details
Dan Dou Chi
Dan Dou Chi

Fermented soybeans

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Fermented preparation obtain from the ripe bean
Role in Yin Qiao San
In general Dan Dou Chi's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and scatters Wind, Cold and Heat, especially when there is Yin Deficiency. Relieves stuffy sensation in the chest and irritability."

In the context of Yin Qiao San, it is used because it helps the key herbs to release exterior Heat.
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Jing Jie
Jing Jie

Japanese catnip

Temperature Neutral
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Aerial portion and flowers, or the spikes only (in which case it is called Jing Jie Sui)
Role in Yin Qiao San
In general Jing Jie's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold or Heat depending on the other herbs used. Releases the Exterior for measles. Stops bleeding. Abates swellings."

In the context of Yin Qiao San, it is used because it is warm and acrid. It encourages Exterior releasing without causing Dryness.
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Dan Zhu Ye
Dan Zhu Ye

Lophatherum herbs

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Small Intestine, Stomach
Parts Used Dried stem and leaf
Role in Yin Qiao San
In general Dan Zhu Ye's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and aids thirst. Aids urination and drains Damp-Heat."

In the context of Yin Qiao San, it is used because it creates Body Fluids and alleviates thirst.
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Lu Gen
Lu Gen

Common reed rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh or dried rhizome
Role in Yin Qiao San
In general Lu Gen's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and promotes the generation of Fluids. Dispels Lung Heat. Dispels Stomach Heat. Promotes urination and clears Heat in the urinary tract. Calm the minds and stop vomiting."

In the context of Yin Qiao San, it is used because it creates Body Fluids and alleviates thirst.
View herb details
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Yin Qiao San
Gan Cao creates Body Fluids and alleviates thirst. Also, Liquorice and Platycoden together are very strong in treating sore throat.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Yin Qiao San

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

Contraindications

It is not very effective in treating Damp Heat.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Yin Qiao San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.