Yu Zhen San
Star玉真散 (True Jade Powder)
Source: Wai Ke Zheng Zong — Chen Shi-Gong (1617)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Yu Zhen San (True Jade Powder), from the Wai Ke Zheng Zong (True Lineage of External Medicine) by Chen Shi-Gong.
Actions: Dispels wind and dissolves phlegm; Relieves spasms and stops convulsions.
Presentation: Tetanus: lockjaw, tightly-closed mouth and lips, stiff body, muscle spasms, and kyphosis.
Composition: Equal amounts in the source; only bracketed modern doses printed. Tong Bian (Infantis Urina) and grain liquor used as vehicles to open channels and move qi and blood.
Cautions:
- Contains unprocessed (toxic) Bai Fu Zi and Tian Nan Xing: avoid high doses or prolonged use.
- Use with caution in the recovery phase of tetanus with severe depletion of qi and fluids; acrid and drying.
- Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Toxicology: Side effects reported: numbness of mouth and tongue, burning throat, oral ulcers, salivation, edema, attributed to unprocessed Tian Nan Xing. Two reports of gross overdose (9g) with oral numbness, nausea, vomiting, epigastric burning, dizziness, restlessness, incontinence, respiratory depression, and one fatality.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 981.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bai Fu Zi
as printed: Bai Fu Zi (Rhizoma Typhonii) [6g]
|
6g | 16.67% | Jun (Chief) | dispels wind, resolves phlegm, relieves spasms and convulsions |
|
Tian Nan Xing
as printed: Tian Nan Xing (Rhizoma Arisaematis) [6g]
|
6g | 16.67% | Jun (Chief) | dispels wind, resolves phlegm, relieves spasms and convulsions |
|
Qiang Huo
as printed: Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii) [6g]
|
6g | 16.67% | Chen (Deputy) | clears wind from the channels and collaterals |
|
Fang Feng
as printed: Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) [6g]
|
6g | 16.67% | Chen (Deputy) | clears wind from the channels and collaterals |
|
Bai Zhi
as printed: Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) [6g]
|
6g | 16.67% | Chen (Deputy) | clears wind from the channels and collaterals |
|
Tian Ma
as printed: Tian Ma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae) [6g]
|
6g | 16.67% | Zuo (Assistant) | extinguishes wind and relieves spasms |
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.
Both expel wind-phlegm and stop spasms, together calming tetany and convulsions.
Tetanus. Both are toxic; the formula is traditionally also applied externally.
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 (+0.83)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 17%, warm 83%.
Taste
- pungent 50%
- sweet 33%
- bitter 17%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 67%
- Spleen 50%
- Lung 33%
- Stomach 33%
- Large intestine 17%
- Kidney 17%
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
Source: grind equal amounts; take 6g internally with hot grain liquor, or mix with liquor for topical use; for lockjaw and kyphosis 9g with hot Tong Bian; for dog bites wash wound and apply powder. Today: 3g doses of sifted powder with hot liquor or Tong Bian, powder topically, or decoction at bracketed doses.
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Formula Network
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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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