Zuo Jin Wan
Star左金丸 (Left Metal Pill)
Source: Dan Xi Xin Fa — Zhu Zhen-Heng (1481)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zuo Jin Wan (Left Metal Pill), from the Dan Xi Xin Fa (Teachings of [Zhu] Dan-Xi) by Zhu Zhen-Heng.
Actions: Clears the Liver and purges fire; Corrects the reversed flow of Stomach qi and stops vomiting.
Presentation: Liver fire overacting on the Stomach: hypochondriac fullness and pain, epigastric distention, a bitter taste in the mouth, acid regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, belching, a red tongue body with a yellow tongue coating, and a wiry, rapid pulse.
Cautions:
- Contraindicated in deficiency cold
- Not for hypochondriac pain from Liver, Gallbladder, or blood deficiency
- Contraindicated during pregnancy
- Avoid cold/raw, spicy, and oily/greasy foods while taking it
Herb–drug interactions:
- Aspirin: Zuo Jin Wan markedly protected rat gastric mucosa against aspirin-induced damage
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Gastrointestinal: a modified preparation (1 g/kg, plus one qi-regulating herb) protected the gastric mucosa of fasted rats against sodium hydroxide, aspirin, and ethylamine hydrochloride
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 389.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 180g [9g]
|
9g | 85.71% | Jun (Chief) | purges Liver fire and clears Stomach heat; used at large dose |
|
Wu Zhu Yu
as printed: Wu Zhu Yu (Fructus Evodiae) 15-30g [1.5g]
|
1.5g | 14.29% | Chen (Deputy) | corrects reversed Stomach qi to stop vomiting; its warmth balances the bitter cold of Huang Lian |
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.
Together the bitter cold and the acrid warm drain Liver fire, direct rebellious Stomach qi downward and stop acid regurgitation and vomiting.
Classic indication: hypochondriac pain with acid reflux and bitter taste from Liver fire attacking the Stomach.
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 (-1.43)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 86%, hot 14%.
Taste
- pungent 7%
- bitter 93%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 100%
- Spleen 100%
- Liver 100%
- Large intestine 86%
- Heart 86%
- Gallbladder 86%
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 into powder, form pills with water; take 50 pills [6g] with warm boiled water. May be decocted today at bracketed doses. Huang Lian : Wu Zhu Yu ratio kept at 6:1.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Can Shi Tang = this formula + Can Sha, Mu Gua, Ban Xia, Huang Qin, Da Dou (Huang) Juan, Tong Cao, Yi Yi Ren and Zhi Zi
- Qing Wei Tang = this formula + Wu Ji Wan + Ban Zhi Lian, Chai Hu, Di Yu, Huang Qi, Huang Qin, Mai Ya, Mu Li, Pu Gong Ying, Sha Ren, Xian He Cao, Xiang Fu, Yan Hu Suo and Zhe Bei Mu
- Zhong Man Fen Xiao Tang = this formula + Ban Xia Hou Po Tang + Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang + Bi Cheng Qie, Cao Dou Kou, Chai Hu, Gan Jiang, Huang Bai, Ma Huang, Mu Xiang, Qing Pi, Ren Shen, Sheng Ma, Yi Zhi Ren, Ze Xie and Zhi Chuan Wu
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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