Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) Goji berries (Gou Qi Zi) Glehnia roots (Bei Sha Shen) Dwarf lilyturf roots (Mai Dong)

Chinese: 一贯煎

Pinyin: Yī Guàn Jiān

Other names: Linking Decoction

Number of ingredients: 6 herbs

Formula category: Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify

Conditions for which it may be prescribed: CirrhosisPeptic ulcerCostochondritis and eleven other conditions

  1. Enriches the Yin
  2. Spreads the Liver Qi

Contraindications: This formula is strictly not recommended for pain and distention caused by... This formula is strictly not recommended for pain and distention caused by Dampness or Phlegm, as it could significantly exacerbate the situation. see more

Source date: 1770

Source book: Continuation of Famous Physicians' Cases Organized by Categories

Yi Guan Jian is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula.

Invented in 1770, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) enriches the Yin and 2) spreads the Liver Qi .

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 Yi Guan Jian is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Qi Stagnation, Liver Yin Deficiency or Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer pain for instance.

On this page, after a detailed description of each of the six ingredients in Yi Guan Jian, we review the patterns and conditions that Yi Guan Jian helps treat.

The six ingredients in Yi Guan Jian

1. Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang)

Part used: Prepared dried root tuber

Nature: Cold

Taste(s): Sweet

Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver

Category: Herbs that cool the Blood

In general Di Huang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes."

Learn more about Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang)

2. Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)

Part used: Dried ripe fruit

Nature: Neutral

Taste(s): Sweet

Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver

Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency

In general Gou Qi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs."

Learn more about Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)

3. Glehnia Roots (Bei Sha Shen)

Part used: Dried root

Nature: Cool

Taste(s): BitterSweet

Meridian affinity: LungStomach

Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency

In general Bei Sha Shen's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes Lung Yin and stops cough. Nourishes Stomach Yin and generates Fluids."

Learn more about Glehnia Roots (Bei Sha Shen)

4. Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)

Part used: Dried root tuber

Nature: Cool

Taste(s): BitterSweet

Meridian affinity: HeartLungStomach

Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency

In general Mai Dong's main actions are as follows: "Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart."

Learn more about Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)

5. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)

Part used: Dried root

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): PungentSweet

Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen

Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency

In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."

Learn more about Dong Quai (Dang Gui)

6. Sichuan Chinaberries (Chuan Lian Zi)

Part used: Dried ripe fruit

Nature: Cold

Taste(s): Bitter

Meridian affinity: SpleenLiverSmall intestine

Category: Herbs that regulate Qi

In general Chuan Lian Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Damp Heat. Circulates Qi. Relieves chest, epigastric and abdominal pains. Expels parasites."

Learn more about Sichuan Chinaberries (Chuan Lian Zi)

Conditions and patterns for which Yi Guan Jian may be prescribed

It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.

As such Yi Guan Jian is used by TCM practitioners to treat three different patterns which we describe below.

But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:

Chronic active hepatitis Cirrhosis Liver cancer pain Costochondritis Peptic ulcer Essential hypertension Hypertension during pregnancy Addison's disease Thrombocytopenic purpura Pulmonary tuberculosis Diabetes mellitus Chronic orchitis Restless leg syndrome Nervous exhaustion

Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Yi Guan Jian treats chronic active hepatitis" for instance. Rather, Yi Guan Jian is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind chronic active hepatitis.

Now let's look at the three patterns commonly treated with Yi Guan Jian.

The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine

Liver Qi Stagnation

Yi Guan Jian is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Qi Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as hypochondriai distension, chest distension, epigastrium distension and abdomen distension. Patients with Liver Qi Stagnation typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Normal or slightly red on the sides.

When Liver Qi does not flow smoothly or regularly, it becomes Stagnant and in Excess. This leads to Heat accumulating in the Liver. This affects not only the Liver, but other connected Organs as well as the Seven Emotions.

Liver Qi Stagnation is not only the most seen Liver disharmony, but also one... read more about Liver Qi Stagnation

The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine

Liver Yin Deficiency

Yi Guan Jian is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dizziness, numbness in the limbs, tingling of limbs and insomnia. Patients with Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu), wiry (Xian) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as Normal or red color on the sides with no coating or rootless coating .

This is a type of Empty-Heat pattern arising out of Liver Blood Deficiency or Kidney Yin Deficiency. It shares similar symptoms as Liver Blood Deficiency, such as blurred and impaired vision, numbness or tingling of limbs, scanty menstruation or amenorrhoea, dull-pale complexion, muscle pain and... read more about Liver Yin Deficiency

The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

Yi Guan Jian is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, diminished hearing and lower back pain. Patients with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as Normal-coloured without coating or with rootless coating.

The Liver stores Blood while the Kidneys store Essence.

Liver Blood depends on Essence for nourishment, while Essence depends on Blood for replenishment. Both have a common source: Grain Qi derived from the Spleen. In terms of Five Elements, the Kidneys nourish the Liver.

A long term Liver Blood... read more about Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

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