Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang
Star越婢加术汤 (Maidservant from Yue Decoction plus Atractylodes)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang (Maidservant from Yue Decoction plus Atractylodes), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing — a variation of Yue Bi Tang.
Actions: Releases the exterior; Regulates water circulation.
Presentation: Water accumulation: generalized swelling and edema, a yellowish skin appearance, and dysuria.
Composition: Yue Bi Tang plus Bai Zhu
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 102.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ma Huang
as printed: Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) 18g [9g]
|
9g | 18% | — | |
|
Shi Gao
as printed: Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 24g [18g]
|
18g | 36% | — | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 9g [9g]
|
9g | 18% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 6g [5g]
|
5g | 10% | — | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 15 pieces [5 pieces]
|
5pieces | 100% | — | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 12g [9g]
|
9g | 18% | strengthens the Spleen to regulate water, dry dampness and induce diuresis |
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 neutral (-0.18)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 36%, neutral 10%, warm 54%.
Pairs warm and cool. 54% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 36% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 45%
- sweet 37%
- bitter 18%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 82%
- Stomach 82%
- Spleen 46%
- Heart 10%
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: Da Zao.
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
Decoction; source cooks ma huang briefly before adding the rest, which is no longer done, and all doses are now reduced by one- to two-thirds.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 185.
Relationships
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Formula family
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
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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