Today, I would like to introduce a formula called Yin Qiao San (Yin Qiao Powder), with the Chinese patent medicine known as Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan (Yin Qiao Detox Pill), which is also aimed at treating wind-heat colds. San Ju Yin (Sang Ju Yin) is suitable for the early stage of wind-heat, while Yin Qiao San can be considered in the middle to later stages.
Yin Qiao San is also derived from Mr. Wu Ju-tong, a representative figure of the Warm Disease School. Mr. Wu was from the Qing Dynasty and became a famous physician due to an epidemic. At that time, a plague was rampant, causing many deaths, similar to the widespread transmission of the COVID-19 virus today. Many doctors used the approach of treating it as typhoid fever, which was not effective. Later, Mr. Wu adopted his established method of using spicy-cool herbs to release the exterior, which proved to be very effective, thus gaining great fame.
Many disputes between the typhoid and warm disease schools are rooted in their respective biases. Personally, I believe it is unnecessary; it is more important to accurately identify the body’s issues and correct them. The Sage of Medicine, Zhang Zhongjing, was able to achieve his esteemed academic thoughts by drawing from the strengths of various schools.
Yin Qiao San has only been established for a little over 200 years, but its influence on later generations is significant. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese patent medicine Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang (Lianhua Qingwen Capsules) was once in high demand. However, there are many other medications that can clear heat and detoxify, and understanding the principles of formula composition provides many options, with Yin Qiao San being one of them.
Let’s take a look at how this formula is composed.
Yin Qiao San: Lian Qiao (Forsythia) 15g, Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle) 15g, Ku Ju Gen (Bitter Platycodon) 6g, Bo He (Peppermint) 6g, Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaves) 4g, Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice) 5g, Jing Jie (Schizonepeta) 4g, Dan Dou Chi (Fermented Soybean) 5g, Niu Bang Zi (Burdock Seed) 6g, and fresh Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome) as needed.
(The exact dosage should be adjusted according to individual conditions).
This formula appears to use a relatively large number of herbs, which is characteristic of timely formulas, but the thought process behind the formula is very clear:
First Tier: Use Jin Yin Hua + Lian Qiao to clear heat and detoxify.
In this formula, Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao are the most used herbs, and the formula is named after them, indicating that they are the Jun Yao (Monarch Herbs) and the two most important herbs in this formula.
Many health-conscious individuals know that when experiencing a sore throat, if they do not wish to take Chinese medicine, they can simply brew Jin Yin Hua in water, which is also very effective. Jin Yin Hua is adept at clearing heat and detoxifying, and its properties are mild and do not harm the stomach, so keeping some Jin Yin Hua at home is a good choice. Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao primarily target sore throats. In Western medicine, a sore throat after a cold is diagnosed as tonsillitis, while in TCM, there is no concept of inflammation; it is believed to be a result of qi and blood stagnation forming toxins.
Why does the area of the tonsils become toxic due to qi and blood stagnation, rather than the ankle or other areas?
This is because the throat is the gateway to the lung system, and for evil qi to enter the lung system, the throat is a necessary passage. The wind-heat evil qi contends with the body’s qi and blood, concentrating energy in this area, where the heat evil can easily transform into fire and toxins, leading to sore throats.
Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao are the nemeses of heat toxins; together, they can clear the heat from the lungs and resolve the toxins in the throat.
Second Tier: Use Bo He + Niu Bang Zi + Jing Jie + Dan Dou Chi to disperse the wind-heat evil qi.
These four herbs share the common characteristic of being “spicy and penetrating,” meaning they can disperse evil qi from the inside out.
The biggest difference between treating wind-cold colds and wind-heat colds in TCM is that for wind-cold, the main method is to induce sweating, while for wind-heat colds, sweating is no longer used; instead, it is “spicy-cool to release the exterior.”
This combination of four herbs can be considered a typical representation of using the “spicy-penetrating” approach to treat wind-heat colds.
Third Tier: Use Zhu Ye to clear the heart, Jie Geng to open the lungs, and Lu Gen to generate fluids.
Considering that wind-heat can affect the lungs and cause restlessness, Zhu Ye is added to disperse exterior heat and clear the heart to relieve restlessness.
Why add Jie Geng? To better expel the wind-heat evil qi, the lung qi must be opened to allow it to disperse. Therefore, Jie Geng is added to open the lung qi, providing a pathway for the evil qi to retreat.
Considering that wind-heat can injure fluids and cause dryness, fresh Lu Gen is added to replenish fluids, and its light texture can ascend and disperse in the lungs. If fresh Lu Gen is hard to find, dried products or sugarcane juice can be used as substitutes.
In what situations should this formula be used? Here’s a simple judgment method:
If sore throat or lymph node swelling occurs after a cold, then you should consider using Yin Qiao San or Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan.
This means that if a wind-heat cold has not been controlled in the early stages, and the heat evil has entered, with a red tongue and symptoms of fever, sore throat, or tonsil pain, it can be used.
In TCM, whether it is due to exposure to wind-heat evil qi, consuming unclean food, or being infected by bacteria or viruses, the nature of the evil qi manifested is heat, and the qi and blood within the body have already formed toxins, thus Yin Qiao San can be used. In addition to Yin Qiao San, similar Chinese patent medicines include Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang, Antiviral Oral Liquid, etc. Their compositions are largely similar, and their effects are also quite alike, providing options for everyone. Finally, I remind everyone that medication must be appropriate to the syndrome. Different types of colds and different stages of colds require different treatment approaches. Ultimately, it is essential to choose corresponding herbal formulas based on the true manifestations of the body. If it is cold, warm it; if it is heat, cool it. Use the appropriate medicine for the corresponding syndrome, and do not confine oneself to a specific disease name or medicine name; this is the correct path. Additionally, medications like Lianhua Qingwen, which are more cooling, can easily harm the spleen and stomach, so they should be used cautiously.
Recommended Learning
1. Introduction to Basic TCM
2. Nine Major Constitution Adjustment Plans
3. Popular Interpretation of 100 Chinese Medicinal Herbs
4. 100 Classic Common Formulas
5. 365 Common Disease Adjustments
A person of moderation, who knows neither the heavens nor the earth. This account aims to promote TCM culture, not as a platform for seeking medical advice. The formulas shared here are for learning and exchange purposes; do not blindly try medications.
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