Qin Jiao Bie Jia San
Star秦艽鳖甲散 (Gentiana Macrophylla and Soft-Shelled Turtle Shell Powder)
Source: Wei Sheng Bao Jian — Luo Tian-Yi (Yuan)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Qin Jiao Bie Jia San (Gentiana Macrophylla and Soft-Shelled Turtle Shell Powder), from the Wei Sheng Bao Jian (Precious Mirror of Health) by Luo Tian-Yi.
Actions: Nourishes yin and blood; Clears deficiency heat and reduces steaming bones sensations.
Presentation: Feng lao bing (wind consumption disease): steaming bones sensations, night sweats, tidal fever with warm sensations in the afternoon, red lips and cheeks, cough, lethargy, a dry mouth and throat, muscle emaciation, and a faint, rapid pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 416.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Qin Jiao
as printed: Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae) 15g [5g]
|
5g | 11.9% | Jun (Chief) | dispels wind and releases the exterior |
|
Bie Jia
zhi (fried with liquid) until crisp; as printed: Bie Jia (Carapax Trionycis) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 21.43% | Jun (Chief) | nourishes yin and clears heat |
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 21.43% | Chen (Deputy) | dispels wind and releases the exterior |
|
Di Gu Pi
as printed: Di Gu Pi (Cortex Lycii) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 21.43% | Chen (Deputy) | clears deficiency heat and relieves steaming bones |
|
Zhi Mu
as printed: Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) 15g [5g]
|
5g | 11.9% | Zuo (Assistant) | nourishes yin and clears heat |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 15g [5g]
|
5g | 11.9% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies and harmonizes the blood |
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.
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 cool (-0.98)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 33%, cool 43%, neutral 12%, warm 12%.
Taste
- pungent 23%
- sweet 23%
- bitter 23%
- salty 21%
- bland 11%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 88%
- Kidney 55%
- Lung 33%
- Gallbladder 33%
- Stomach 24%
- Pericardium 21%
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 coarsely; cook 15g of powder with 5 pieces of Qing Hao and 1 piece of Wu Mei in one large bowl of water down to 70%; take warm on an empty stomach and again at bedtime. May be decocted at bracketed doses. (Qing Hao clears deficiency heat; Wu Mei retains yin/fluids and stops sweating.)
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
Formula family
Full herb lists
- Ren Shen Huang Qi San = this formula without Dang Gui + Da Ban Xia Tang + Jie Geng Tang + Chi Shao, Fu Ling, Huang Qi, Sang Bai Pi, Sheng Di Huang, Tian Men Dong and Zi Wan
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.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Qin Jiao Bie Jia San.
No notes yet.