Yi Guan Jian
Star一贯煎 (Linking Decoction)
Source: Xu Ming Yi Lei An (in Liu Zhou Yi Hua) — Wei Zhi-Xiu (1770)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Yi Guan Jian (Linking Decoction), from the Xu Ming Yi Lei An (in Liu Zhou Yi Hua) (Continuation of Famous Physicians' Patients Organized by Categories (Medical Dialogues from Liuzhou)) by Wei Zhi-Xiu.
Actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver yin; Regulates Liver qi.
Presentation: Liver and Kidney yin deficiencies accompanied by qi stagnation and blood dryness: pain in the chest, epigastric and hypochondriac regions, acid regurgitation, a sore throat, a dry mouth, a red tongue body with little moisture, and a pulse that is fine and weak or deficient and wiry. Occasionally, there may also be a hernia or mass.
Cautions:
- Contraindicated for hypochondriac pain from Liver fire without underlying deficiency
- Inappropriate for qi and blood stagnation or phlegm accumulation, as the tonics may worsen stagnation, dampness and phlegm
Toxicology: No abnormal reaction after a 50 g/kg oral bolus in mice.
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Hepatoprotective: reduced CCl4 liver damage in mice
- Antiulcer: marked effect on gastric and duodenal ulcers in mice by enhancing mucosal protection, not by neutralizing acid
- Adaptogenic: 7 days increased physical performance in mice
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 657.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sheng Di Huang
as printed: Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae) 18-45 [30g]
|
30g | 38.96% | Jun (Chief) | tonifies Liver and Kidney yin, nourishes blood |
|
Bei Sha Shen
as printed: Bei Sha Shen (Radix Glehniae) 9g [10g]
|
10g | 12.99% | Chen (Deputy) | tonifies yin, generates fluids, softens Liver |
|
Mai Men Dong
as printed: Mai Dong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 9g [10g]
|
10g | 12.99% | Chen (Deputy) | tonifies yin, generates fluids, softens Liver |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9g [10g]
|
10g | 12.99% | Chen (Deputy) | nourishes blood, softens Liver |
|
Gou Qi Zi
as printed: Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii) 9-18g [12g]
|
12g | 15.58% | Chen (Deputy) | tonifies yin, nourishes blood, softens Liver |
|
Chuan Lian Zi
serves as both assistant and envoy; small dose because bitter-cold may consume yin; as printed: Chuan Lian Zi (Fructus Toosendan) 4.5g [5g]
|
5g | 6.49% | Zuo (Assistant) | smoothes Liver qi, relieves pain, guides to Liver channel |
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 (-1.17)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 58%, cool 13%, neutral 16%, warm 13%.
Small but decisive: Chuan Lian Zi 5g (cold, 7% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 7%
- sweet 55%
- bitter 39%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 74%
- Heart 65%
- Kidney 55%
- Lung 42%
- Stomach 26%
- Spleen 26%
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
Warm strained decoction; today decoct with bracketed doses.
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
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 Yi Guan Jian.
No notes yet.