Zi Jin Ding
Star紫金锭 (Purple Gold Special Pill)
Source: Pian Yu Xin Shu — Wu Quan
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zi Jin Ding (Purple Gold Special Pill), from the Pian Yu Xin Shu (Text from Heart of Jade) by Wu Quan.
Actions: Dissolves phlegm and opens the sensory orifices; Dispels filth and fetidness and eliminates toxins; Reduces swelling and relieves pain.
Presentation: Accumulation of filth, fetidness, phlegm and turbidity: epigastric and abdominal distention, oppression and pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and phlegm syncope in children. May be applied topically for abscesses and sores.
Cautions:
- Use with caution in pregnancy because She Xiang is strongly dispersing
- Use with caution and at reduced dose in children because some ingredients are potentially toxic
- Zhu Sha and Xiong Huang are potentially toxic heavy metals and She Xiang is from an endangered animal
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 760.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
She Xiang
as printed: She Xiang (Moschus) 9g
|
9g | 2.78% | opens the sensory orifices, activates qi circulation, relieves pain | |
|
Shan Ci Gu
as printed: Shan Ci Gu (Pseudobulbus Cremastrae seu Pleiones) 90g
|
90g | 27.78% | clears heat and reduces swellings | |
|
Xiong Huang
as printed: Xiong Huang (Realgar) 30g
|
30g | 9.26% | dispels filth and fetidness, eliminates toxins | |
|
Qian Jin Zi
frost; as printed: Qian Jin Zi, frost (Semen Euphorbiae) 30g
|
30g | 9.26% | eliminates phlegm and reduces swellings | |
|
Hong Da Ji
as printed: Hong Da Ji (Radix Knoxiae) 45g
|
45g | 13.89% | eliminates phlegm and reduces swellings | |
|
Zhu Sha
as printed: Zhu Sha (Cinnabaris) 30g
|
30g | 9.26% | calms the shen | |
|
Wu Bei Zi
as printed: Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis) 90g
|
90g | 27.78% | astringes the Intestines to relieve diarrhea and protects the body from the drastic herbs |
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 cool (-0.99)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 42%, cool 37%, warm 21%.
Taste
- pungent 33%
- sweet 23%
- sour 19%
- bitter 12%
- salty 14%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 60%
- Lung 51%
- Kidney 51%
- Liver 49%
- Spleen 44%
- Stomach 19%
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: powder and form special pills with sticky rice paste; for topical use crush and mix with water. Modern: water-refine Xiong Huang and Zhu Sha; powder the rest, sift, mix with Qian Jin Zi frost, combine with steamed sticky-rice dough and form tablets, dried in shade. Internal: 0.6-1.5g twice daily. Topical: crush, mix with vinegar and apply.
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Formula Network
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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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