Yin Qiao San
Star银翘散 (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder)
Source: Wen Bing Tiao Bian — Wu Jutong (Qing, 1798)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Yin Qiao San (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder) is the primary formula for Wind-Heat invasion of the Wei level in warm diseases. It clears heat, releases the exterior, and resolves toxins while gently dispersing Wind-Heat without injuring fluids. It is one of the most widely used formulas in modern TCM practice for acute respiratory infections, flu, and sore throat from Wind-Heat.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jin Yin Hua | 30g | 20.55% | Jun (Chief) | — |
| Lian Qiao | 30g | 20.55% | Jun (Chief) | — |
| Bo He | 18g | 12.33% | Chen (Deputy) | — |
| Niu Bang Zi | 18g | 12.33% | Chen (Deputy) | — |
| Jing Jie | 12g | 8.22% | Chen (Deputy) | — |
| Dan Dou Chi | 15g | 10.27% | Chen (Deputy) | — |
| Jie Geng | 6g | 4.11% | Zuo (Assistant) | Opens and directs Lung Qi, benefits throat. |
| Gan Cao | 5g | 3.42% | Zuo (Assistant) | Harmonizes formula, benefits throat, resolves toxins. |
| Lu Gen | g | — | Zuo (Assistant) | — |
| Dan Zhu Ye | 12g | 8.22% | Zuo (Assistant) | — |
Total weight: 72g
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.
Together they disperse wind-heat and benefit the throat, relieving sore swollen throat at the onset of a wind-heat invasion.
Together they vent wind-heat from the exterior while clearing heat and toxin, covering both the surface and the toxic-heat aspect of early warm-febrile disease.
Classic for the initial wei-level stage of warm disease with fever, sore throat and thirst; also used together for hot sores and swellings.
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 41%, cool 43%, neutral 8%, warm 8%.
Small but decisive: Dan Zhu Ye 12g (cold, 8% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 32%
- sweet 32%
- bitter 32%
- bland 4%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 92%
- Stomach 55%
- Heart 53%
- Small intestine 29%
- Large intestine 21%
- Liver 21%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Lu Gen.
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
Critical: decoct lightly for only 5–10 minutes to preserve volatile aromatic constituents. Strain and take warm. Over-cooking destroys the formula's effectiveness.
Dosage
Powder: 6–9g 3–4x/day with fresh reed root (Lu Gen) decoction or warm water. Decoction: take every 4–6 hours acutely. Do not over-boil.
Conditions Addressed
Related Formulas
Relationships
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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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