Yue Bi Tang
Star越婢汤 (Maidservant from Yue Decoction)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Yue Bi Tang (Maidservant from Yue Decoction), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Releases the exterior through diaphoresis; Eliminates water accumulation.
Presentation: Wind at the exterior with water accumulation: generalized edema, aversion to wind, spontaneous sweating, absence of thirst, and a superficial pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 101.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ma Huang
as printed: Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) 18g [9g]
|
9g | 21.95% | releases the exterior, regulates water circulation, relieves edema | |
|
Shi Gao
as printed: Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 24g [18g]
|
18g | 43.9% | moderates the warm, acrid properties of Ma Huang | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 15 pieces [5 pieces]
|
5pieces | 100% | with Sheng Jiang harmonizes wei and ying, prevents excess fluid loss through sweating | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 9g [9g]
|
9g | 21.95% | harmonizes wei and ying; helps Ma Huang disperse water from muscles and exterior | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 6g [5g]
|
5g | 12.2% | harmonizes the formula |
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 (-0.44)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 44%, neutral 12%, warm 44%.
Pairs warm and cool. 44% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 44% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 55%
- sweet 34%
- bitter 11%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Stomach 78%
- Spleen 34%
- Heart 12%
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
Cook Ma Huang in 6 cups [1,200 mL] water, skim foam, add remaining herbs and reduce to 3 cups [600 mL]; take warm in three equal doses. Bracketed doses may be used today.
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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