Search in formulas
Yīn-Nourishing Lung-Clearing Decoction
养阴清肺汤 〔養陰清肺湯〕yǎng yīn qīng fèi tāng
Source: Chóng Lóu Yù Yào 重楼玉钥
Ingredients:
- Shēng dì huáng (生地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens, dried/fresh rehmannia [root]) 12–30g
- Xuán shēn (玄参 Scrophulariae Radix, scrophularia [root]) 9–12g
- Mài dōng (麦冬 Ophiopogonis Radix, ophiopogon [root]) 9–12g
- Bèi mǔ (贝母 Fritillariae Bulbus, fritillaria [bulb]) 6–9g
- Bái sháo (白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba, white peony [root]) 6–9g
- Dān pí (丹皮 Moutan Cortex, moutan [bark]) 6–9g
- Bò hé (薄荷 Menthae Herba, mint) 2–4.5g
- Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) 3–4.5g
Action: Nourishes yīn and clears the lung; disinhibits the throat and resolves toxin.
Indication: Diphtheria due to contraction of epidemic toxin in constitutional yīn vacuity, characterized principally by a white coating on the throat like bean curd, but not easily removed. There may or may not be heat effusion at onset. Other signs include dry nose and lips, noisy breathing similar to but distinct from panting, and a painful swollen throat). Tongue: Red with thin white fur. Pulse: Fine and rapid.
Category: Dryness-relieving formulas / Internal dryness formulas
Method: Decoct with water.
Rationale: Shēng dì huáng and Xuán shēn invigorate water to restrain fire, and also cool the blood and resolve toxin. They are important agents for treating yīn vacuity diphtheria. Mài dōng and Bái sháo nourish yīn and moisten dryness. Mǔ dān pí cools the blood and resolves toxin. Bèi mǔ (Zhè bèi mǔ) transforms phlegm and disperses binds. Bò hé works with the Xuán shēn to clear and disinhibit the throat. Gān cǎo works with the Xuán shēn to drain fire and resolve toxin. The formula a whole invigorates water to restrain fire, as well as cooling the blood and resolving toxin. It therefore addresses both the root and the tip of the condition.
Variations:
Kidney yīn vacuity : Add Shú dì huáng (熟地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, cooked rehmannia [root]) and Gǒu qǐ zǐ (枸杞子 Lycii Fructus, lycium [berry]).- Severe
heat toxin : Add Jīn yín huā (金银花 Lonicerae Flos, lonicera [flower]) and Lián qiào (连翘 Forsythiae Fructus, forsythia [fruit]) - Initial-stage
diphtheria with exterior signs: Add Sāng yè (桑叶 Mori Folium, mulberry leaf) and Gé gēn (葛根 Puerariae Radix, pueraria [root]). Painful swollen throat : Add Niú bàng zǐ (牛蒡子 Arctii Fructus, arctium [seed]) and Shān dòu gēn (山豆根 Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix, bushy sophora [root]).Bound stool : Add Xuán míng fěn (玄明粉 Natrii Sulfas Exsiccatus, refined mirabilite) and Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb).- General vacuity: Add Shú dì huáng (熟地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, cooked rehmannia [root]) or cooked and Shēng dì huáng (生地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens, dried/fresh rehmannia [root]).
- Severe heat: Add Lián qiào (连翘 Forsythiae Fructus, forsythia [fruit]) and omit Bái sháo (白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba, white peony [root]).
- Pronounced dryness: Add Mài dōng (麦冬 Ophiopogonis Radix, ophiopogon [root]).