Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang
Star滋阴降火汤 (Nourish Yin and Descend the Fire Decoction)
Source: Wan Bing Hui Chun — Gong Ting-Xian (1587)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang (Nourish Yin and Descend the Fire Decoction), from the Wan Bing Hui Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian.
Actions: Nourishes yin; Descends fire; Tonifies qi and blood.
Presentation: Yin-deficient fire: fever, cough, sputum, dyspnea, night sweats, and a dry mouth. (Explanation adds: dark complexion, constipation, fine rapid pulse; Kidney yin deficiency with Liver fire.)
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 422.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dang Gui
xi (washed) with liquor; as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 3.6g
|
3.6g | 11.43% | Jun (Chief) | tonifies the blood |
|
Bai Shao
xi (washed) with liquor; as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 6.9g
|
6.9g | 21.9% | Jun (Chief) | tonifies the blood |
|
Shu Di Huang
chao (dry-fried) with ginger juice; as printed: Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) 3g
|
3g | 9.52% | Jun (Chief) | tonifies the blood |
|
Tian Men Dong
as printed: Tian Dong (Radix Asparagi) 3g
|
3g | 9.52% | Jun (Chief) | tonifies yin |
|
Mai Men Dong
as printed: Mai Dong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 3g
|
3g | 9.52% | Jun (Chief) | tonifies yin |
|
Sheng Di Huang
as printed: Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 7.62% | Jun (Chief) | descends deficiency fire |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 3g
|
3g | 9.52% | Chen (Deputy) | tonifies qi and activates qi circulation |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 6.67% | Chen (Deputy) | tonifies qi and activates qi circulation |
|
Zhi Mu
as printed: Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 4.76% | Zuo (Assistant) | descends deficiency fire |
|
Huang Bai
chao (dry-fried) with water and honey; as printed: Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 4.76% | Zuo (Assistant) | descends deficiency fire |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 4.76% | Shi (Envoy) | tonifies qi and activates qi circulation |
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 (-0.57)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 36%, cool 22%, neutral 5%, warm 37%.
Pairs warm and cool. 37% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 58% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Tian Men Dong 3g (cold, 10% of the grams), Mai Men Dong 3g (cold, 10% of the grams), Sheng Di Huang 2.4g (cold, 8% of the grams), Zhi Mu 1.5g (cold, 5% of the grams), Huang Bai 1.5g (cold, 5% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 9%
- sweet 41%
- sour 11%
- bitter 40%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 64%
- Liver 51%
- Kidney 36%
- Lung 35%
- Heart 33%
- Stomach 29%
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
Decoct with 3 slices of Sheng Jiang and 1 piece of Da Zao; before taking, add a small amount of Zhu Li (Succus Bambusae), Tong Bian (Infantis Urina), and Sheng Jiang juice.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Dang Gui, Mai Men Dong, Sheng Di Huang, Shu Di Huang, Tian Men Dong, Bai Zhu, Chen Pi, Huang Bai and Zhi Mu
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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