Nuan Gan Jian
Star暖肝煎 (Warm the Liver Decoction)
Source: Jing Yue Quan Shu — Zhang Jie-Bin (Zhang Jing-Yue) (Ming, 1624)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Nuan Gan Jian (Warm the Liver Decoction), from the Jing Yue Quan Shu (Collected Treatises of [Zhang] Jing Yue) by Zhang Jie-Bin (Zhang Jing-Yue).
Actions: Warms the Liver and Kidney; Activates qi circulation, dispels cold, and stops pain.
Presentation: Hernia due to cold in the Liver and Kidney channels: lower abdominal pain, hernia, and hardening of the testes.
Cautions:
- Contraindicated in hernia with red, swollen, painful testicles from damp-heat in the lower jiao.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 838.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rou Gui
dose printed as 3-6g; as printed: Rou Gui (Cortex Cinnamomi) 3-6g
|
g | — | Jun (Chief) | warms Kidney and Liver to dispel cold |
|
Xiao Hui Xiang
as printed: Xiao Hui Xiang (Fructus Foeniculi) 6g
|
6g | 20% | Jun (Chief) | warms Kidney and Liver to dispel cold |
|
Dang Gui
dose printed as 6-9g; as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 6-9g
|
g | — | Chen (Deputy) | warms and tonifies Kidney and Liver |
|
Gou Qi Zi
as printed: Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii) 9g
|
9g | 30% | Chen (Deputy) | warms and tonifies Kidney and Liver |
|
Wu Yao
as printed: Wu Yao (Radix Linderae) 6g
|
6g | 20% | Chen (Deputy) | activates qi to stop pain |
|
Chen Xiang
as printed: Chen Xiang (Lignum Aquilariae Resinatum) 3g
|
3g | 10% | Chen (Deputy) | activates qi to stop pain |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 6g
|
6g | 20% | Zuo (Assistant) | strengthens Spleen and dispels dampness |
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 nature not shown: the chief herb (Rou Gui) has no dose in grams.
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 50%, warm 50%.
Taste
- pungent 45%
- sweet 40%
- bitter 5%
- bland 10%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Kidney 100%
- Lung 70%
- Spleen 70%
- Liver 50%
- Stomach 30%
- Heart 20%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
2 herbs without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Dang Gui, Rou Gui.
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: cook with 3-5 slices of Sheng Jiang in 1.5 bowls of water, reduce to 70%; take warm between meals. Mu Xiang may substitute if Chen Xiang is unavailable. (Sheng Jiang disperses cold and harmonizes the Stomach.)
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Formula Network
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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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