Yin Qiao San, Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder, is Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Jie Geng, Niu Bang Zi, Bo He, Dan Dou Chi, Jing Jie, Dan Zhu Ye, Lu Gen and Gan Cao. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that release Exterior Wind-Heat.

Herb

Amount

9 g

9 g

3 g

9 g

3 g

3 g

6 g

3 g

15 g

3 g

Actions and indications

Disperses Wind-Heat and releases the exterior with acrid, cool herbs

Earliest, Wei-level stage of a Wind-Heat invasion, including Wind-Heat attacking the Lungs
Fever stronger than the slight chills, with little or no sweat; dislike of wind
Headache with mild body aches
Blocked or runny nose
Also given for Dry Heat, and for Summer-Heat or Damp-Heat once substantially modified

Clears Heat and resolves toxicity

Throat sore, red and swollen
In some cases a high fever

Benefits the throat and stops cough

Cough, either dry or with thick yellowish phlegm; sometimes laboured breathing with flaring nostrils

Generates fluids and relieves thirst

Mild thirst with a wish for cold drinks, sometimes a dry mouth
Irritability and restlessness from Heat in the upper burner
Tip of the tongue red, with a thin coat that is white or yellow; pulse rapid and floating

Modern uses

Common cold, initial stage
Influenza
Upper respiratory tract infection
Fever
Puerperal fever
Cough
Dyspnea
Acute bronchitis
Bronchiectasis
Pneumonia
Early stage lung abscess
Pulmonary abscess
AIDS/HIV-related cough and asthma
Sore throat
Pharyngitis
Acute laryngitis
Acute tonsillitis
Sinusitis
Allergies
Initial stage of measles
Mumps (epidemic parotitis), early
Scarlet fever
Early stage encephalitis B
Early stage meningitis
Viral myocarditis
Mononucleosis
Epstein-Barr virus
Myalgic encephalomyelitis
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS)
Genital herpes simplex
Acute suppurative infection
Cervical lymphadenopathy
Acute endometritis
Otitis media
Purulent otitis media
Otorrhea
Ear pain
Tinnitus
Deafness
Hordeolum
Early-stage conjunctivitis
Early-stage cataracts
Epistaxis
Canker sores
Lip pain
Tongue pain
Toothache
Drug-induced dermatitis
Flat warts
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Perspiration
Back pain, upper and middle

Modifications

Stuffy or stifling feeling in the chest: + huo xiang

Great thirst: + tian hua fen

Headache with dislike of wind: + fang feng, + cong bai

Headache with dislike of wind, alternative: + lu gen

Excess Heat: + da qing ye, + ban lan gen

Very sore throat: + ma bo, + tu niu xi, + ban lan gen

Badly swollen, painful throat: + ma bo, + she gan, + xuan shen

Badly swollen, painful throat, alternative: + ma bo, + xuan shen

Intense Heat (combined with Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin): + ju hua

Lung abscess in its early stage: + da qing ye, + huang qin, + pu gong ying, + yu xing cao, + dan zhu ye, + jie geng

Red, swollen sore throat (combined with Cong Chi Jie Geng Tang or Qing Yan Li Ge Tang)

Red, swollen sore throat, alternative (combined with Cong Chi Jie Geng Tang): + ma bo, + she gan, + xuan shen

Show all 142 modifications

Red, swollen sore throat, second alternative: + pu gong ying, + da qing ye
Shortage of body fluids: + ge gen
Acute endometritis: + zhi zi, + fang feng, + sheng di huang, − gan cao, − dan zhu ye
Internal Heat with little urine: + sheng di huang, + mai men dong, + huang qin, + zhi mu, + zhi zi
Lung Heat damaging body fluids: + sheng di huang, + mai men dong
Alternative combination, indication unclear (combined with Cong Chi Jie Geng Tang): + sang ye, + man jing zi, + jiang can
Macular rashes: + sheng di huang, + mu dan pi, + da qing ye, + xuan shen, − dan dou chi
Stronger Wind-Heat (combined with Cong Chi Jie Geng Tang)
Heat-type diarrhea and a yellow tongue coat (combined with Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang)
Red, painful eyes: + ju hua, + sang ye
Alternative combination, indication unclear (combined with Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin)
Seasonal influenza with toxic Heat (combined with Cong Chi Jie Geng Tang): + pu gong ying, + chong lou
Fluids dried by Wind-Heat in the Lungs or by autumn warm-Dryness, with phlegm hard to cough up (combined with Cong Chi Jie Geng Tang)
Dry mouth and nose, with a dry red tongue that has little or no coat: + da qing ye, + ban lan gen, + nan sha shen, + li pi
Thick, sticky yellow phlegm (combined with Cong Chi Jie Geng Tang): + huang qin, + zhi mu, + gua lou pi
Nosebleed: + bai mao gen, + zhi zi, − jing jie, − dan dou chi
Measles in its early stage: + chan tui, + fu ping
Measles in its early stage, alternative: + chan tui, + zi cao
Measles in its early stage, second alternative: + bai mao gen, + ou jie
Measles in its early stage, third alternative: + ge gen
High fever with sweating: + shi gao, + zhi mu, − jing jie, − dan dou chi
Dampness making the chest feel stifled: + huo xiang, + yu jin
Thirst with irritability: + mai men dong, + shi gao
Cough with thick phlegm: + zhe bei mu, + xing ren
Stronger interior Heat: + zhi shi, + huang qin
Stronger interior Heat, alternative: + xing ren, + zhe bei mu, + gua lou
Severe headache: + ju hua, + sang ye, + man jing zi
Heavy cough: + xing ren
Sore throat, markedly swollen and red: + shan dou gen, + da qing ye
Sore throat, markedly swollen and red, alternative: + qian hu, + chuan bei mu, + gua lou
High fever with great thirst: + shi gao, + ban lan gen, + zhi mu, + tian hua fen
Stifling feeling in the chest: + huo xiang, + pei lan
Purulent otitis media (combined with Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin)
Chalazion with signs of Fire (combined with Huang Lian Jie Du Tang)
Stye with marked pathogenic Wind: + sang ye, + ju hua
Stye with marked pathogenic Heat: + jin yin hua, + lian qiao, + huang qin, − jing jie
Stye with an infected corner of the eye: + huang lian
Stye with severe pain: + ru xiang, + mo yao
Viral keratitis: + xi yang cai, + pu gong ying, + huang qin, − niu bang zi, − dan dou chi, − dan zhu ye, − jing jie
Viral keratitis with headache: + xi yang cai, + pu gong ying, + huang qin, + qiang huo, + bai zhi, − niu bang zi, − dan dou chi, − dan zhu ye, − jing jie
High fever that persists: + shi gao, + di gu pi, + zhi mu
Cramping and spasms during a high fever: + jiang can, + gou teng
High fever and coughing: + ma huang, + xing ren, + qian hu
High fever and red eyes: + chi shao, + chan tui, + ju hua
High fever with vomiting or nausea: + zhi ban xia, + sheng jiang
High fever and diarrhea: + yi yi ren, + hua shi
Pneumonia: + zhi mu, + xing ren
Pneumonia with thirst and irritability from excess Heat: + zhi mu, + xing ren, + tian hua fen, + huang lian, − jing jie, − bo he, − niu bang zi
Pneumonia with heavy coughing of thick phlegm: + zhi mu, + xing ren, + chuan bei mu, + gua lou, − jing jie, − niu bang zi
Pneumonia where stools are dry or smell foul: + zhi mu, + xing ren, + da huang, − jie geng, − bo he
Pneumonia with painful, scanty and infrequent urination: + zhi mu, + xing ren, + che qian zi, − jing jie, − niu bang zi
Tonsillitis: + shan dou gen
Tonsillitis and cough: + shan dou gen, + xing ren, + qian hu
Tonsillitis with high fever but no aversion to cold: + shan dou gen, + shi gao, + zhi mu
Viral myocarditis: + dang gui, + sheng di huang, + da zao
Viral myocarditis and sore throat: + dang gui, + sheng di huang, + da zao, + ban lan gen
Viral myocarditis and palpitations: + dang gui, + sheng di huang, + da zao, + huang qi, + gan zao
Viral myocarditis with shortness of breath and an oppressed chest: + dang gui, + sheng di huang, + da zao
Tinnitus and deafness with no pus or discharge: + xia ku cao, + qing hao, + ju hua, + shi chang pu, − lu gen
Tinnitus and deafness with no discharge, plus fever and earache: + xia ku cao, + qing hao, + ju hua, + shi chang pu, + da qing ye, + ban lan gen, − lu gen
Tinnitus and deafness with no discharge, plus pain of the neck, shoulders and upper back: + xia ku cao, + qing hao, + ju hua, + shi chang pu, + ge gen, − lu gen
Cough in its early stage: + yu xing cao, + bai mao gen, + gua lou, + huang qin, − bo he, − dan dou chi, − jing jie
Early cough and headache: + yu xing cao, + bai mao gen, + gua lou, + huang qin, + ju hua, + sang ye, + man jing zi, − bo he, − dan dou chi, − jing jie
Early cough that is severe and distressing: + yu xing cao, + bai mao gen, + gua lou, + huang qin, + xing ren, + chuan bei mu, − bo he, − dan dou chi, − jing jie
Early cough and strong thirst for cold drinks: + yu xing cao, + bai mao gen, + gua lou, + huang qin, + sha shen, + mai men dong, + tian men dong, + tian hua fen, − bo he, − dan dou chi, − jing jie
Early cough and chest pain: + yu xing cao, + bai mao gen, + gua lou, + huang qin, + tao ren, + yu jin, − bo he, − dan dou chi, − jing jie
Early cough and heavy wheezing: + yu xing cao, + bai mao gen, + gua lou, + huang qin, − bo he, − dan dou chi, − jing jie
Fever from Wind-Heat (combined with Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang): + xing ren, + huang qin
High fever and sore throat: + xing ren, + huang qin, + ban lan gen, + shan dou gen, + shi gao, + zhi mu
Fever and a bad headache: + xing ren, + huang qin, + sang ye, + ju hua
Fever and a bad cough: + xing ren, + huang qin, + pi pa ye, + qian hu, + zhe bei mu, + sang bai pi
Fever with Summer-Heat and Dampness: + xing ren, + huang qin, + xiang ru, + bian dou hua, + huo xiang
Fever with Dryness: + xing ren, + huang qin, + bei sha shen, + mai men dong, + zhe bei mu, + tian hua fen
Alternative combination, indication unclear (combined with Liu Yi San)
High fever that does not come down (combined with Zi Xue Dan): + xing ren, + huang qin
Feverish patient who is weak: + xing ren, + huang qin, + xi yang shen
Wind-Heat attacking the Stomach with vomiting and nausea: + zhu ru, + chen pi
High fever and dry mouth: + huang qin, + zhi mu, + shi gao
Fever and a swollen sore throat: + xuan shen, + shan dou gen
Epstein-Barr, chronic fatigue or myalgic encephalomyelitis: + huo xiang, + hou po, + zhi ban xia, + fu ling, + xing ren, + yi yi ren, + pei lan, − jie geng, − bo he, − dan dou chi, − dan zhu ye, − jing jie, − lu gen, − gan cao
Coughing blood, including severe cases: + chuan bei mu, + xing ren, + mo han lian, + bai mao gen, + ou jie, + qian cao gen, − jie geng, − dan dou chi, − gan cao
Coughing blood with strong Phlegm-Heat (combined with the patent medicine Yunnan Bai Yao): + chuan bei mu, + xing ren, + mo han lian, + bai mao gen, + ou jie, + qian cao gen, + huang qin, + yu xing cao, − jie geng, − dan dou chi, − gan cao
Coughing blood with strong Phlegm-Heat, alternative to Yunnan Bai Yao: + san qi
Fluids damaged after the exterior has cleared: dry cough with scant mucus and a dry red tongue: + chuan bei mu, + xing ren, + mo han lian, + bai mao gen, + ou jie, + qian cao gen, + tian men dong, + mai men dong, + xuan shen, + tian hua fen, − jie geng, − dan dou chi, − gan cao, − jing jie, − bo he
Turbidity blocking the Qi of the chest, with distention at the diaphragm: + huo xiang, + yu jin
Uneasy, vexed chest and a deep red tongue: + sheng di huang, + mai men dong
Summer-Heat damaging the Lung vessels, with sudden coughing of blood and nosebleed (combined with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang): + zhi zi, + huang qin, + bai mao gen, + ce bai ye, − bo he, − dan dou chi, − jing jie
Interior Heat with vexing thirst and red urine: + zhi zi, + zhi mu, + huang qin
Severe thirst: + mai men dong, + sheng di huang
Swollen lymph nodes of the neck: + xia ku cao, + zhe bei mu, + xuan shen
Swollen neck lymph nodes with red, painful eyes: + xia ku cao, + zhe bei mu, + xuan shen, + ju hua, + sang ye
Swollen neck lymph nodes with a very painful throat: + xia ku cao, + zhe bei mu, + xuan shen, + she gan
Fever: + ban lan gen, + huang qin
Swollen gums: + pu gong ying, + ye ju hua
Headache: + chuan xiong, + man jing zi
Cough: + qian hu, + zhe bei mu
Constipation: + da huang, + dong gua ren
Discharge or pus from the ear: + ban lan gen
Back pain, upper and middle, during high fever: + chai hu, + shi gao
Back pain, upper and middle, plus a sore throat: + xuan shen
Middle back pain with cough bringing up yellow phlegm: + chuan bei mu
Back pain, upper and middle, plus thirst: + mai men dong, + bei sha shen
Upper back pain: + yan hu suo, + chuan lian zi, − dan dou chi, − dan zhu ye, − lu gen
Lung abscess: + da qing ye, + huang qin, + pu gong ying, + yu xing cao, + chuan bei mu, − niu bang zi, − dan dou chi, − dan zhu ye, − jing jie, − lu gen, − gan cao
Lung abscess where chest pain dominates: + da qing ye, + huang qin, + pu gong ying, + yu xing cao, + chuan bei mu, + gua lou, + e zhu, − niu bang zi, − dan dou chi, − dan zhu ye, − jing jie, − lu gen, − gan cao
Red, swollen ear from toxic Heat: + pu gong ying, + xia ku cao
Yellow fluid running from the ear from toxic Damp-Heat: + long dan cao, + ku shen
Earache with fever: + chuan xiong, + man jing zi
Earache with cough bringing up yellow phlegm: + qian hu, + zhe bei mu
Painful lips: + pu gong ying, + ban lan gen, + huang qin, − jie geng, − niu bang zi, − bo he, − jing jie, − lu gen
Painful lips with yellow blisters: + pu gong ying, + ban lan gen, + huang qin, + long dan cao, + zi hua di ding, − jie geng, − niu bang zi, − bo he, − jing jie, − lu gen
Painful, swollen lips: + pu gong ying, + ban lan gen, + huang qin, + huang lian, + chi shao, − jie geng, − niu bang zi, − bo he, − jing jie, − lu gen
Painful lips after insect bites: + pu gong ying, + ban lan gen, + huang qin, + ban bian lian, − jie geng, − niu bang zi, − bo he, − jing jie, − lu gen
Painful lips that are dry and cracked: + pu gong ying, + ban lan gen, + huang qin, + yu zhu, − jie geng, − niu bang zi, − bo he, − jing jie
Painful lips with fever: + pu gong ying, + ban lan gen, + huang qin, + ye ju hua, − jie geng, − niu bang zi, − bo he, − jing jie, − lu gen
Painful lips with headache: + pu gong ying, + ban lan gen, + huang qin, + man jing zi, − jie geng, − niu bang zi, − bo he, − jing jie, − lu gen
Painful lips with cough bringing up yellow phlegm: + pu gong ying, + ban lan gen, + huang qin, + zhe bei mu, − jie geng, − niu bang zi, − bo he, − jing jie, − lu gen
Painful tongue that is red and swollen: + pu gong ying
Painful tongue with thirst: + mai men dong, + xuan shen
Painful tongue with fever: + huang qin
Painful tongue with headache: + man jing zi
Painful tongue with cough bringing up yellow phlegm: + qian hu, + zhe bei mu
Cough and asthma in AIDS/HIV: + sang bai pi, + gua lou pi, + huang qin, + xing ren, + she gan, − jie geng, − niu bang zi, − dan dou chi, − dan zhu ye, − jing jie, − lu gen
Sore throat: + lu gen
Sore throat that is red and swollen: + lu gen, + pu gong ying, + ban lan gen
Sore throat with cough bringing up yellow phlegm: + lu gen, + qian hu, + zhe bei mu
Sore throat with fever: + lu gen, + chai hu, + sheng ma
Sore throat with headache: + lu gen, + chuan xiong, + man jing zi
Sore throat with thirst: + lu gen, + xuan shen, + mai men dong
Genital herpes: + dan zhu ye, + lu gen

Cautions

contraindication Wind-Cold exterior patterns without Heat signs (chills dominate, no sore throat, thin white coat); warming exterior-releasing formulas suit these instead

caution Damp-Heat calls for substantial changes to the formula before it is used

caution Suited only to the superficial early stage; once Heat has passed beyond the Wei level (high fever, marked thirst, heavy sweating), it is usually not strong enough alone

caution A light dispersing formula, not meant for prolonged or repeated use after the acute exterior stage is over

caution The formula treats an early Wind-Heat pattern, not encephalitis, meningitis or measles; a stiff neck, confusion, drowsiness, rash, or high fever with bad headache calls for emergency medical care

Pinyin

yin qiao san

English Name

Honeysuckle and Forsythia powder

yin qiao san

About yin qiao san

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Disperses Wind-Heat and releases the exterior with acrid, cool herbs

Clears Heat and resolves toxicity

Benefits the throat and stops cough

Generates fluids and relieves thirst

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification

Support