Yu Quan Wan
Star玉泉丸 (Jade Spring Pill)
Source: Za Bing Yuan Liu Xi Zhu — Shen Jin-Ao (Qing, 1773)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Yu Quan Wan (Jade Spring Pill), from the Za Bing Yuan Liu Xi Zhu (Wondrous Lantern for Peering into Origin and Development of Miscellaneous Diseases) by Shen Jin-Ao.
Actions: Generates body fluids to relieve thirst; Nourishes yin to moisten dryness.
Presentation: Xiao ke (wasting and thirsting) syndrome: irritability, thirst, increased intake of water, dry mouth and tongue, and increased urinary frequency; may also have increased hunger and food intake, and turbid, sweet urine.
Cautions:
- Avoid acrid and spicy foods while taking this formula.
Toxicology: Powder at 12.5 g/kg/day in two doses for two days caused no abnormal reactions within 72 h (acute study).
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Hypoglycemic: capsules/pills lowered plasma glucose in rabbits, onset ~3 h, lasting ~9-12 h
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1052.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mai Men Dong
remove the center; role: the Analysis paragraph names ophiopogon, astragalus, ginseng and poria, then says 'these four herbs serve as the chief ingredients'; as printed: Ophiopogonis Radix (mai men dong) [remove the center] 37.5g
|
37.5g | 11.13% | Jun (Chief) | Clears heat, generates fluids, nourishes yin |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ginseng Radix (ren shen) 37.5g
|
37.5g | 11.13% | Jun (Chief) | Augments qi to help transform and transport fluids |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Poria (fu ling) 37.5g
|
37.5g | 11.13% | Jun (Chief) | Augments qi and adjusts the water pathways |
|
Huang Qi
half honey-fried & half untreated; as printed: Astragali Radix (huang qi) [half honey-fried & half untreated] 37.5g
|
37.5g | 11.13% | Jun (Chief) | Augments qi to support Spleen and Lung |
|
Wu Mei
roasted; as printed: Mume Fructus (wu mei) [roasted] 37.5g
|
37.5g | 11.13% | Chen (Deputy) | Sour flavor that with licorice transforms yin |
|
Tian Hua Fen
as printed: Trichosanthis Radix (tian hua fen) 56g
|
56g | 16.62% | Chen (Deputy) | Clears heat, generates fluids, relieves thirst |
|
Ge Gen
as printed: Puerariae Radix (ge gen) 56g
|
56g | 16.62% | Chen (Deputy) | Generates fluids and clears yang brightness heat |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Glycyrrhizae Radix (gan cao) 37.5g
|
37.5g | 11.13% | Sweet flavor that with mume transforms yin |
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 slightly cool (-0.33)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 11%, cool 33%, neutral 33%, warm 22%.
Taste
- pungent 8%
- sweet 56%
- sour 11%
- bitter 19%
- bland 6%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 83%
- Spleen 83%
- Stomach 56%
- Heart 45%
- Kidney 22%
- Large intestine 11%
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
Stone-bake Wu Mei and honey-fry half (15g) of the Huang Qi. Powder everything and form honey pills the size of large bullets; chew and swallow one pill per dose with warm water.
Relationships
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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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