Tan Yin Wan
Star痰饮丸 (Phlegm and Thin Mucus Pill)
Source: Shaanxi New Medicine (1972)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Tan Yin Wan (Phlegm and Thin Mucus Pill), from Shaanxi New Medicine (1972).
Associated formula of San Zi Yang Qin Tang.
Actions: Warms the Lungs; Disperses cold; Regulates the qi; Transforms phlegm
Indications: Phlegm-cold cough with thin sputum, stertorous breathing, white tongue coating; all symptoms worse with cold.
Pattern: Phlegm-cold in the Lungs with yang deficiency
Usage: Modern (1970s) formula for chronic bronchitis combining Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan and San Zi Yang Qin Tang to treat root and branch of phlegm-cold.
Modifications:
- More pronounced cold signs: add Asari Herba (xi xin) and Ephedrae Herba (ma huang)
- Coughing: add Asteris Radix (zi wan) and Farfarae Flos (kuan dong hua)
- Stertorous breathing: add Platycodi Radix (jie geng) and Aurantii Fructus (zhi ke)
Category: Formulas that Warm and Transform Phlegm-Cold.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 810.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cang Zhu
as printed: Atractylodis Rhizoma (cang zhu) 90g
|
90g | 18.75% | — | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma (bai zhu) 90g
|
90g | 18.75% | — | |
|
Lai Fu Zi
as printed: Raphani Semen (lai fu zi) 90g
|
90g | 18.75% | — | |
|
Rou Gui
as printed: Cinnamomi Cortex (rou gui) 30g
|
30g | 6.25% | — | |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Zingiberis Rhizoma (gan jiang) 30g
|
30g | 6.25% | — | |
|
Zhi Fu Zi
as printed: Aconiti Radix lateralis praeparata (fu zi) 45g
|
45g | 9.38% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Glycyrrhizae Radix (gan cao) 45g
|
45g | 9.38% | — | |
|
Zi Su Zi
as printed: Fructus Perillae Frutescentis (su zi) 60g
|
60g | 12.5% | — |
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 warm (+0.94)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 28%, warm 50%, hot 22%.
Small but decisive: Rou Gui 30g (hot, 6% of the grams), Gan Jiang 30g (hot, 6% of the grams), Zhi Fu Zi 45g (hot, 9% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 45%
- sweet 36%
- bitter 19%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 88%
- Stomach 72%
- Lung 47%
- Heart 31%
- Liver 25%
- Kidney 16%
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
Fine powder made into water pills; 6g twice daily. May be decocted with additions.
Relationships
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Formula family
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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