Yi Guan Jian, Linking Decoction, is Sheng Di Huang, Gou Qi Zi, Sha Shen, Mai Men Dong, Dang Gui and Chuan Lian Zi. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that nourish and tonify Yin, and records it as enriching Liver and Kidney Yin while spreading Liver Qi.

Herb

Amount

18 g

9 g

9 g

9 g

9 g

4.5 g

Actions and indications

Enriches Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood

Yin deficiency of the Liver, or of the Liver and Kidneys
Mouth and throat dry and parched, with thirst
Dizziness
Tongue red and dry with little or no coat; pulse thin and weak, or wiry but deficient

Spreads Liver Qi

Liver Qi stagnation resting on Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency
Pain and distension in the flanks, chest and epigastrium
Sour regurgitation and a bitter taste, with irritability
Fullness of the abdomen and epigastrium, possibly with constipation
Hernial disorders and abdominal masses arising on the same deficient, stagnant basis

Modern uses

Chronic hepatitis
Chronic active hepatitis
Early or chronic liver cirrhosis
Elevated liver enzymes
Fever in late-stage liver cancer
Ascites
Cholecystitis
Chronic gastritis
Acid reflux
Gastric and duodenal ulcer
Peptic ulcer
Hiatus hernia
Hernia
Gastrointestinal neurosis
Irritable bowel syndrome
Colitis
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Abdominal fullness and distension
Abdominal masses
Intercostal neuritis
Hypochondriac neuralgia
Intercostal or epigastric pain
Costochondritis
Pleuritis
Cough
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Lung consumption
Diabetes mellitus
Wasting and thirsting
Hyperthyroidism
Addison's disease
Essential hypertension
Hypertension during pregnancy
Coronary heart disease
Anemia
Thrombocytopenic purpura
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Sjogren's syndrome
Behcet's disease
AIDS, HIV and ARC
Chronic glomerulonephritis
Urinary tract infection
Orchitis, chronic orchitis
Spermatorrhea
Male menopause
Irregular menstruation
Early menstruation
Late menstruation
Scanty menstruation
Amenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea
Premenstrual syndrome
Breast tenderness
Perimenopause syndrome
Menopause syndrome
Headache
Dizziness
Meniere's disease
Tinnitus
Deafness
Retinitis pigmentosa
Sore throat
Tongue pain
Dry skin
Flaccid paralysis
Parkinson's disease
Tourette syndrome
Forgetfulness
Insomnia
Depression
Anxiety neurosis
Panic attacks
Neurasthenia
Neurosis
Low-grade fever
Tidal fever
Night sweats
Low back pain
Knee pain
Weakness
Some stages of warm febrile diseases

Modifications

Constipation: + gua lou ren, + xuan shen

Night sweats from deficiency Heat: + di gu pi

Severe abdominal pain: + bai shao, + gan cao

Strongly bitter taste and dry mouth: + huang lian

Goiter

Low back pain and tinnitus (combined with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan): + nu zhen zi, + he shou wu

Flushed face, fingers trembling: + zhen zhu mu, + gou teng, + mu li

Liver Wind signs such as headache, dizziness or blurred vision: + bai shao, + xuan shen

Dry tongue in marked Yin deficiency: + shi hu

Hard lumps or firmness where it hurts: + bie jia

Weak legs: + huai niu xi, + yi yi ren

Hypertension with more marked Liver and Kidney deficiency: + sang ji sheng, + du zhong

Show all 132 modifications

Hypertension, Liver Heat predominant: + xia ku cao, + huang qin
More sputum: + bei mu
Thirst with irritable Heat: + zhi mu, + shi gao
Bitter taste: + huang lian, + wu zhu yu
Goiter from Heart and Liver Yin deficiency with Phlegm (combined with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan)
Support after liver transplant (combined with Shi Xiao San)
Tourette syndrome
Amenorrhea with Heat (combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan): + bie jia, + zhi mu, + huang bai, + chi shao, + mu dan pi, + chong wei zi
Atrophic gastritis: + bai hua she she cao
Atrophic gastritis from Stomach Yin deficiency: + bai shao, + wu mei, + e zhu
Ovarian dysfunction: + chai hu, + bai shao, + nu zhen zi, + mu dan pi
Ovarian dysfunction with amenorrhea: + chai hu, + bai shao, + nu zhen zi, + mu dan pi, + da huang, + shui zhi, + huai niu xi
Ovarian dysfunction with light periods and insomnia: + chai hu, + bai shao, + nu zhen zi, + mu dan pi, + he shou wu, + e jiao
Ovarian dysfunction with period pain in the abdomen: + chai hu, + bai shao, + nu zhen zi, + mu dan pi, + yi mu cao, + wu yao
Ovarian dysfunction with pain in the low back: + chai hu, + bai shao, + nu zhen zi, + mu dan pi, + xu duan, + du zhong
Ovarian dysfunction with no appetite from Spleen Qi deficiency: + chai hu, + bai shao, + nu zhen zi, + mu dan pi, + shan zha, + bai zhu, + shan yao
Hypertension in pregnancy from Stomach and Liver Yin deficiency: + sang ji sheng, + bai shao, + shi jue ming, + dan shen
Hypertension in pregnancy from Spleen deficiency and Liver excess: + bai zhu, + fu ling pi, + da fu pi, + chen pi
Liver disease such as hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer: + bai shao, + yu jin
Liver cancer: + zhi mu, + gui ban
Liver cancer with dizziness and ringing in the ears: + zhi mu, + gui ban, + du zhong, + sang ji sheng, + he shou wu
Liver cancer with jaundice: + zhi mu, + gui ban, + zhi zi, + yin chen hao
Liver cancer with ascites: + zhi mu, + gui ban, + yu jin, + dan shen, + ze xie
Liver cancer with no appetite: + zhi mu, + gui ban, + gu ya, + mai ya, + shan zha
Late liver cancer fever with marked flank pain: + chai hu, + bai shao, + dan shen
Late liver cancer fever with edema, ascites and reduced urine: + fu ling, + che qian zi, + ze xie
Late liver cancer fever with nausea, fatigue and no appetite: + bai zhu, + huang qi
Late liver cancer fever with jaundice: + che qian zi, + yin chen hao
Hyperthyroidism with an enlarged thyroid: + hai zao, + kun bu, + huai niu xi
Hyperthyroidism with dry mouth, irritability and restlessness: + zhi mu
Hyperthyroidism with abdominal pain and no appetite: + xuan shen, + shan zha tan, + shen qu tan, + mai ya tan
Hyperthyroidism with heavy sweating and breathlessness: + huang qi, + zhi gan cao
Hyperthyroidism with edema and high blood pressure: + che qian zi, + ze xie, + da fu pi, + gui zhi
Restless legs: + gou teng, + mu li
Coronary heart disease from Heart and Kidney Yin deficiency (combined with Er Zhi Wan): + dan shen, + mu dan pi, + chuan niu xi, + mu li
The same with severe pain: + dan shen, + mu dan pi, + chuan niu xi, + mu li, + chen xiang, + chuan xiong
The same with heavy night sweats: + dan shen, + mu dan pi, + chuan niu xi, + mu li, + zhi mu, + huang bai, + di gu pi
The same with marked palpitations and insomnia: + dan shen, + mu dan pi, + chuan niu xi, + mu li, + suan zao ren, + bai zi ren
The same with high-pitched ringing in the ears: + dan shen, + mu dan pi, + chuan niu xi, + mu li, + shi jue ming, + gou teng
The same with high-pitched ringing in the ears, second listing: + dan shen, + mu dan pi, + chuan niu xi, + mu li, + dang shen, + zhi gan cao
Diabetes from Qi and Yin deficiency: + shan yao, + cang zhu, + xuan shen
Behcet's disease (combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan)
Behcet's: tidal or low fever: + qing hao, + di gu pi, + yin chai hu, + hu huang lian
Behcet's: Damp: + tu fu ling, + bei xie
Behcet's disease with joint pain: + ren dong teng, + luo shi teng, + chuan niu xi
Behcet's disease with no appetite: + chen pi, + shan zha
Behcet's disease with mouth ulcers or a sore throat: + ban lan gen, + ma bo, + huang lian
Behcet's disease with painful, rough, red eyes: + ye ju hua, + qing xiang zi, + chong wei zi
Behcet's disease with sores on the external genitals: + tu fu ling, + zi hua di ding
Behcet's: insomnia: + suan zao ren, + ye jiao teng
Behcet's disease with scant, dark urine: + che qian zi
Behcet's: Kidney Yang deficiency: + yin yang huo, + ba ji tian
Behcet's disease with nodules in the skin: + hong hua, + chuan xiong, + dan shen
Anxiety neurosis, panic disorder, neurasthenia, palpitations, low-grade fever, menopause syndrome, coronary heart disease or hyperthyroidism (combined with Suan Zao Ren Tang)
Gallstones and cholecystitis: + yin chen hao, + jin qian cao
Chronic hepatitis with Damp-Heat that lingers: + bai mao gen, + yin chen hao
Chronic hepatitis with insomnia and irritable Heat in the Heart: + suan zao ren, + zhi zi
Chronic hepatitis: bitter taste: + huang lian
Chronic hepatitis with dizziness: + huang jing, + ju hua, + gou teng
Chronic hepatitis with marked stagnation of Qi: + fo shou, + ju ye, + mei gui hua
Chronic hepatitis with dim or blurred vision: + nu zhen zi, + jue ming zi
Chronic hepatitis with constipation: + gua lou ren
Chronic hepatitis with Phlegm: + zhe bei mu
Chronic hepatitis with lumps under the ribs: + bie jia, + dan shen
Chronic hepatitis with thirst and irritable Heat: + shi gao, + zhi mu
Chronic hepatitis with intense abdominal pain: + bai shao, + gan cao
Chronic hepatitis, weak Spleen Qi: + huang qi, + xi yang shen, + tai zi shen, + shan yao
Injured Stomach Yin: + bai shao, + gan cao
Genital herpes after the period, from Yin deficiency with rising Fire creating lower burner Damp-Heat, with marked Yin and Blood deficiency: + ku shen, + bai xian pi, + huang bai
That genital herpes pattern with lower abdominal pain: + ku shen, + bai xian pi, + huang bai, + bai shao, + gan cao
That genital herpes pattern with a bitter taste: + ku shen, + bai xian pi, + huang bai, + huang lian
That genital herpes pattern with constipation: + ku shen, + bai xian pi, + huang bai, + gua lou ren
That genital herpes pattern with night sweats: + ku shen, + bai xian pi, + huang bai, + di gu pi
That genital herpes pattern with swollen lymph nodes: + bai xian pi, + ku shen, + huang bai, + xuan shen, + zhe bei mu
Reflux, hiatus hernia, gastritis or peptic ulcer from Yin deficiency of the Liver and Stomach: + bai shao, + hai piao xiao, + zhe bei mu
Those digestive disorders with severe Liver and Stomach Yin deficiency: + bai shao, + hai piao xiao, + zhe bei mu, + shi hu
Those digestive disorders with excess Stomach Heat: + bai shao, + hai piao xiao, + zhe bei mu, + huang lian
Those digestive disorders with bloating and no appetite: + bai shao, + hai piao xiao, + zhe bei mu, + mai ya
Those digestive disorders with a dull, nagging pain: + bai shao, + hai piao xiao, + zhe bei mu
Those digestive disorders with Qi deficiency: + bai shao, + hai piao xiao, + zhe bei mu, + dang shen, + huang jing, + shan yao
Those digestive disorders: one or two of these herbs may also be added: + fo shou, + ba yue zha, + mei gui hua, + xiang yuan pi
Yin deficiency with hernia, colitis, constipation, abdominal pain, PMS or period pain: + bai shao, + gan cao
Hyperthyroidism with low back pain (combined with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan): + nu zhen zi, + he shou wu, + gui ban
Hyperthyroidism with a red face and a slight tremor of the fingers (combined with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan): + zhen zhu mu, + gou teng, + mu li
Ascites (combined with Xiao Yu Tang): + dang shen, − ren shen
Ascites with fever in the afternoon (combined with Xiao Yu Tang): + dang shen, + yin chai hu, + di gu pi, − ren shen
Ascites with very little urine (combined with Xiao Yu Tang): + dang shen, + zhu ling, + bai mao gen, + tong cao, − ren shen
Ascites with bleeding (combined with Xiao Yu Tang): + dang shen, + qian cao gen, + mu dan pi, + xian he cao, − ren shen
Sjogren's syndrome: + tian men dong
Sjogren's syndrome with tiredness and weak limbs: + tian men dong, + dang shen, + huang qi, + huang jing
Sjogren's syndrome with marked Dryness: + tian men dong, + shi hu, + lu gen
Sjogren's syndrome with deficiency Heat: tidal fever, steaming bones, night sweats and facial hot flushes: + tian men dong, + xuan shen, + di gu pi, + zhi mu
Sjogren's syndrome with enlarged, swollen parotid glands: + tian men dong, + shan ci gu
Sjogren's syndrome with nosebleeds or bleeding gums: + tian men dong, + han lian cao, + ou jie, + bai mao gen
Sjogren's: insomnia: + tian men dong, + bai he, + wu wei zi
Period pain with rising Yang: + bai ji li, + ju hua, + shi jue ming
Lupus erythematosus (combined with Si Miao Yong An Tang)
Lupus with Blood stasis: + san leng, + e zhu, + chi shao, + mu dan pi
Lupus with enlarged liver and spleen and aching pain over the liver: + gui ban, + bie jia, + xiang fu, + yu jin
Lupus with marked Spleen deficiency: + fu ling, + ren shen, + bai zhu
Lupus with rising toxic Heat: + da huang, + long dan cao, + zhi zi
Active hepatitis: lassitude: + huang qi
Chronic active hepatitis with pain under the right ribs: + xiang fu, + yan hu suo
Chronic active hepatitis with vomiting and nausea: + zhi ban xia
Chronic active hepatitis with abdominal distension: + hou po, + mu xiang, + zhi ke
Chronic active hepatitis with poor appetite: + shan zha, + ji nei jin, + gu ya, + mai ya
Active hepatitis: constipation: + da huang
Chronic active hepatitis with a tendency to nosebleeds or bleeding gums: + bai mao gen, + mu dan pi
Active hepatitis: ascites: + fu ling, + ze xie, + zhu ling
Chronic active hepatitis with enlarged liver and spleen: + bie jia, + tao ren, + e zhu
AIDS, HIV or ARC from Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency (combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan): + da zao, − ze xie
Tongue pain: + zhi zi
Tongue pain, night sweats: + zhi zi, + sang piao xiao, + mu li
Tongue pain with irritability: + zhi zi, + suan zao ren, + mu li
Tongue pain with heat in the palms, soles and chest: + zhi zi, + hu huang lian, + qing hao
Tongue pain with flank pain: + zhi zi, + zhi ke, + bai shao
Tongue pain, dry mouth: + zhi zi, + sheng di huang, + xuan shen
Tongue pain with blurred vision: + zhi zi, + han lian cao, + nu zhen zi
Marked Heat: + zhi zi, + bai shao
Strong acid reflux: + huang lian, + wu zhu yu

Cautions

contraindication Chest pain caused by Phlegm or retained Phlegm-Damp

caution Damp, Phlegm or weak Spleen and Stomach Qi: the rich, cloying tonics can worsen stuffiness, poor appetite and loose stools; use carefully or modify when the tongue coat is thick and greasy

contraindication Qi stagnation of a purely excess kind with no underlying deficiency

caution Chuan Lian Zi contains toosendanin and can harm the liver when taken in large amounts or for long periods; it is kept small and used with care, above all in liver disease

Pinyin

yi guan jian

English Name

Linking Decoction

yi guan jian

About yi guan jian

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Enriches Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood

Spreads Liver Qi

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification