Hu Qian Wan
Star虎潜丸 (Hidden Tiger Pill)
Source: Dan Xi Xin Fa — Zhu Zhen-Heng (Yuan/Ming, 1481)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Hu Qian Wan (Hidden Tiger Pill), from the Dan Xi Xin Fa (Teachings of [Zhu] Dan-Xi) by Zhu Zhen-Heng.
Actions: Nourishes yin, and lowers and clears deficiency fire; Strengthens sinews and bones.
Presentation: Weakness and atrophy of the bones and tendons associated with Liver and Kidney yin-deficient fire: weakness and soreness of the lower back, legs, and knees; weakness of the sinews and bones; atrophy of the muscles, sinews, and bones in the extremities; a red tongue body with little coating, and a fine, weak pulse.
Cautions:
- Contraindicated for atrophy caused by damp-heat invasion
Note: the book also describes a formula of the same name from Yi Fang Ji Jie (p. 653). This record follows the Dan Xi Xin Fa version.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 651, 653.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huang Bai
processing: chao (dry-fried) with liquor; printed dose 240g (no single modern dose); as printed: Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis) 240g
|
g | — | Jun (Chief) | clears deficiency fire, strengthens lower-jiao yin |
|
Gui Ban
processing: zhi (fried) with liquor; printed dose 120g (no single modern dose); as printed: Gui Ban (Plastrum Testudinis) 120g
|
g | — | Jun (Chief) | nourishes Kidney yin, replenishes jing and marrow |
|
Zhi Mu
processing: chao (dry-fried) with liquor; printed dose 60g (no single modern dose); as printed: Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) 60g
|
g | — | Chen (Deputy) | clears deficiency fire |
|
Shu Di Huang
printed dose 60g (no single modern dose); as printed: Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) 60g
|
g | — | Chen (Deputy) | nourishes yin, tonifies blood |
|
Bai Shao
printed dose 60g (no single modern dose); as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 60g
|
g | — | Chen (Deputy) | nourishes yin, tonifies blood |
|
Suo Yang
printed dose 45g (no single modern dose); as printed: Suo Yang (Herba Cynomorii) 45g
|
g | — | Zuo (Assistant) | nourishes Kidney yang and jing |
|
Chen Pi
printed dose 60g (no single modern dose); as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 60g
|
g | — | Zuo (Assistant) | strengthens Spleen, protects digestion from cold stagnating herbs |
|
Gan Jiang
printed dose 15g (no single modern dose); as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 15g
|
g | — | Zuo (Assistant) | strengthens Spleen, harmonizes middle jiao, counters Huang Bo's cold |
|
Hu Gu
processing: zhi (fried) with liquid; endangered, historically listed, usually omitted or replaced by Zhu Gu (Os Porcus); printed dose 30g (no single modern dose); as printed: Hu Gu (Os Tigris) 30g
|
g | — | strengthens sinews and bones |
Preparation
Powder formed into pills with grain alcohol. Today honey pills of 10g, one morning and night with lightly salted or warm water.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Da Bu Yin Wan without Feng Mi + Bai Shao, Chen Pi, Gan Jiang, Suo Yang and Hu Gu
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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