Jin Ling Zi San
Star金铃子散 (Melia Toosendan Powder)
Source: Su Wen Bing Ji Qi Yi Bao Ming Ji — Zhang Yuan-Su (1107)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Jin Ling Zi San (Melia Toosendan Powder), from the Su Wen Bing Ji Qi Yi Bao Ming Ji (Collection of Writings on the Mechanisms of Illness, Suitability of Qi, and the Safeguarding of Life as Discussed in the Basic Questions) by Zhang Yuan-Su.
Actions: Regulates qi and soothes the Liver; Activates blood circulation and stops pain.
Presentation: Liver qi stagnation with interior heat: intermittent pain in the chest, abdominal, and hypochondriac areas, a bitter taste in the mouth, red tongue with yellow tongue coating, and a wiry, rapid pulse.
Cautions:
- Moves qi and blood; use with caution during pregnancy
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 825.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chuan Lian Zi
authors' comments: the formula is named for Jin Ling Zi (= Chuan Lian Zi), the chief herb; as printed: Chuan Lian Zi (Fructus Toosendan) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 50% | Jun (Chief) | soothes Liver qi and sedates Liver fire |
|
Yan Hu Suo
as printed: Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 50% | Zuo (Assistant) | activates qi and blood circulation to relieve pain |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
Together they spread constrained Liver qi, drain Liver heat and move blood, giving a strong analgesic effect for pain from qi stagnation transforming into heat.
Hypochondriac, epigastric, hernial and menstrual pain from Liver qi stagnation with heat. Chuan Lian Zi is mildly toxic.
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net slightly cool (-0.50)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 50%, warm 50%.
Pairs warm and cool. 50% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 50% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 25%
- bitter 75%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 100%
- Spleen 50%
- Heart 50%
- Small intestine 50%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Source: grind to fine powder, take 9g per dose with grain-based liquor. Today may be decocted at the bracketed doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Lan Wei Hua Yu Tang = this formula + Da Huang, Jin Yin Hua, Mu Dan Pi, Mu Xiang and Tao Ren
- San Jin Pai Shi Tang = this formula + Fu Ling, Hai Jin Sha, Jin Qian Cao, Shi Wei, Wei Ling Xian, Ze Xie, Zhi Ke and Zhu Ling
- Ju He Wan = this formula + Ju He, Mu Xiang, Tao Ren, Hai Dai, Hai Zao, Hou Po, Kun Bu, Mu Tong, Rou Gui and Zhi Shi
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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