Lian Po Yin
Star连朴饮 (Coptis and Magnolia Bark Decoction)
Source: Huo Luan Lun — Wan Shi-Xiong (Qing, 1862)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Lian Po Yin (Coptis and Magnolia Bark Decoction), from the Huo Luan Lun (Discussion of Sudden Turmoil Disorders) by Wan Shi-Xiong.
Actions: Clears heat and resolves dampness; Regulates qi and harmonizes the middle jiao.
Presentation: Accumulation of dampness and heat: excessive vomiting and diarrhea in sudden turmoil disorder, chest and epigastric distention and oppression, dark scanty urine, yellow greasy tongue coating.
Cautions:
- For damp-heat sudden turmoil disorder only; not for cold patterns.
- Severe vomiting/diarrhea risks dehydration: replace fluids and electrolytes.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1099.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hou Po
as printed: Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, zhi (prepared)) 6g
|
6g | 6.45% | Jun (Chief) | regulates qi and resolves dampness |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis, chao (dry-fried) with ginger juice) 3g
|
3g | 3.23% | Jun (Chief) | clears heat and dries dampness |
|
Zhi Zi
as printed: Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae, chao jiao (dry-fried to burnt)) 9g
|
9g | 9.68% | Chen (Deputy) | clears stagnant heat in chest and epigastrium |
|
Shi Chang Pu
as printed: Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii) 3g
|
3g | 3.23% | Chen (Deputy) | aromatic: dissolves dampness to awaken the Spleen |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae, zhi (prepared)) 3g
|
3g | 3.23% | Chen (Deputy) | dries dampness and descends Stomach qi |
|
Lu Gen
as printed: Lu Gen (Rhizoma Phragmitis) 60g
|
60g | 64.52% | Zuo (Assistant) | exceptionally large dose: clears heat, harmonizes Stomach, stops vomiting |
|
Dan Dou Chi
as printed: Dan Dou Chi (Semen Sojae Praeparatum, chao (dry-fried)) 9g
|
9g | 9.68% | clears stagnant heat in chest and epigastrium |
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.
Clears heat and dries dampness while moving qi, resolving damp-heat obstructing the middle burner.
Damp-heat sudden turmoil disorder with vomiting and diarrhea.
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 cold (-1.52)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 77%, cool 10%, warm 13%.
Small but decisive: Huang Lian 3g (cold, 3% of the grams), Zhi Zi 9g (cold, 10% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 11%
- sweet 68%
- bitter 21%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 94%
- Stomach 90%
- Heart 16%
- Spleen 13%
- Large intestine 10%
- Gallbladder 3%
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
Decoct and take warm.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Zhi Zi Chi Tang + Hou Po, Huang Lian, Ban Xia, Shi Chang Pu and Lu Gen
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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