Yin Qiao San
银翘散 (Yin Qiao San)
Source: Wen Bing Tiao Bian — Wu Jutong (Qing, 1798)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jie Geng | 6g | 35.29% | Chen (Deputy) | Opens and directs Lung Qi, benefits throat. |
| Ban Xia | 6g | 35.29% | Zuo (Assistant) | Assists in directing Qi downward. |
| Gan Cao | 5g | 29.41% | Shi (Envoy) | Harmonizes formula, benefits throat, resolves toxins. |
Total weight: 72g
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.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).