da yuan yin

Reach the Membrane Source

About da yuan yin

Da Yuan Yin, Reach the Membrane Source Decoction, is Cao Guo, Hou Po, Bing Lang, Huang Qin, Zhi Mu, Bai Shao and Gan Cao. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that harmonise Shao Yang disorders, and records it as opening and venting the membrane source.

Ingredients

Herb	Amount
cao guo	1.5 g
hou po	3 g
bing lang	6 g
huang qin	3 g
zhi mu	3 g
bai shao	3 g
gan cao	1.5 g

Actions and indications

Opens and vents the membrane source (Mo Yuan)

Pestilential warm-toxin Qi trapped at the membrane source, between exterior and interior
Chills alternating with fever, or irregular bouts of fever that sometimes do not break
Headache

Breaks up turbid Damp

Heavy body and limbs
Oppressed, distended feeling in the chest and epigastrium
Tongue with deep red edges and a thick, foul, pasty coat like dry flour paste; pulse wiry and rapid

Clears Heat

Modern uses

Malaria
Epidemic febrile disorders

Symptoms

Alternating chills and fever
Chest oppression
Fever
Headache
Heavy body
Heavy limbs

Cautions

contraindication Not for purely exterior or purely Heat patterns that lack the turbid coat and other membrane-source signs
caution Qi or Yin deficiency, or weak digestion: use with care, since the drying, Qi-breaking herbs (Bing Lang above all) can drain a frail patient
caution Stop once the pathogen has been vented; the pungent, drying herbs can otherwise injure Qi and fluids
pregnancy Bing Lang drains strongly downward; in pregnancy use only under professional guidance

Preparation

Decoction of all seven herbs cooked together

Names

Pinyin	da yuan yin
English Name	Reach the Membrane Source

Classification

Category: Harmonize Lesser Yang Stage Disorders