Yu Quan San: Clearing Heat and Nourishing Body Fluids
Hongji Medical- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
In dry environments or when excessive heat accumulates in the Yangming channel, the body may suffer from insufficient fluids, leading to symptoms like dry mouth and throat.
Yu Quan San, a classic formula from Jingyue Quanshu (The Complete Works of Zhang Jingyue) by the renowned Ming Dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue, addresses these issues. Zhang Jingyue was a pivotal figure in Chinese medicine, and his Jingyue Quanshu compiles his profound insights and extensive clinical experience.
Yu Quan San was carefully crafted by Zhang to treat internal Yangming heat and fluid deficiency. The name “Yu Quan,” meaning “Jade Spring,” symbolizes its ability to nourish the body like sweet spring water, relieving thirst and dryness.
Formula Explanation of Yu Quan San
The composition of Yu Quan San varies across historical records.
Yu Quan San from Jingyue Quanshu
Shi Gao (Main Herb): Very cold, clears heat, reduces fire, relieves irritability, and quenches thirst; it is essential for clearing Yangming channel heat.
Gan Cao (Supporting Herb): Sweet and neutral, tonifies qi, harmonizes the formula, and moderates Shi Gao’s cold nature.
This formula, with only two herbs, relies heavily on Shi Gao to clear Yangming heat.
Yu Quan San from Xuezheng Lun
Tian Hua Fen (Main Herb): Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly sour, and slightly cold; enters the lung and stomach channels. Generates fluids, quenches thirst, clears heat, moistens dryness, reduces swelling, and drains pus.
Fen Ge Gen (Supporting Herb): Sweet, pungent, and neutral; enters the spleen and stomach channels. Relieves exterior heat, generates fluids, promotes rashes, raises yang, and stops diarrhea.
Mai Men Dong (Assistant Herb): Sweet, slightly bitter, and cold; enters the heart, lung, and stomach channels. Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, benefits the stomach, generates fluids, and clears heart irritability.
Sheng Di Huang (Assistant Herb): Sweet, bitter, and cold; enters the heart, liver, and kidney channels. Clears heat, cools blood, nourishes yin, and generates fluids.
Wu Wei Zi (Assistant Herb): Sour and warm; enters the lung, heart, and kidney channels. Astringes and consolidates, tonifies qi, generates fluids, and calms the heart and kidneys.
Gan Cao (Envoy Herb): Sweet and neutral; enters the heart, lung, spleen, and stomach channels. Tonifies qi, clears heat, detoxifies, relieves cough, eases pain, and harmonizes the formula.
This version focuses on nourishing yin and generating fluids while also clearing heat, making it suitable for pronounced yin deficiency.
The Jingyue Quanshu version heavily uses Shi Gao to clear Yangming heat. Shi Gao’s strong cooling nature can harm the spleen and stomach, so Gan Cao is paired to moderate its effects and protect digestion.
The Xuezheng Lun version, led by Tian Hua Fen, combines with Ge Gen, Mai Men Dong, and Sheng Di Huang to nourish stomach yin and generate fluids, relieving thirst. This formula is gentler, ideal for those with significant yin deficiency needing fluid restoration.
Pathogenesis Analysis of Yu Quan San
Yu Quan San targets the core pathogenesis of “Yangming heat excess with fluid depletion.” The Yangming channel, associated with the stomach, governs digestion and absorption. Poor diet, excessive spicy food, or emotional stress can cause Yangming heat to build up, depleting body fluids and disrupting yin-yang balance.
Yangming heat excess and fluid depletion cause multiple pathological changes.
First, insufficient fluids fail to moisten the upper body, leading to dry mouth, thirst, and a desire to drink.
Second, internal Yangming heat causes irritability and restlessness. Third, fluid depletion dries the intestines, resulting in constipation.
Finally, heat forces fluids downward, causing scanty, dark urine. All these symptoms stem from Yangming heat excess and fluid depletion.
Applicable Symptoms of Yu Quan San
Yu Quan San is primarily used for Yangming internal heat and fluid deficiency, with symptoms including:
Intense thirst and frequent drinking
Irritability, dry mouth, and mouth or tongue sores
Dry, hard stools and scanty, dark urine
Red tongue with yellow coating, rapid and forceful pulse
These symptoms point to the core issue: Yangming heat excess depleting fluids. Excessive heat consumes fluids, causing thirst and constipation; heat rising causes mouth sores; and internal heat leads to a red tongue, yellow coating, and rapid pulse.
Yu Quan San corrects this pathogenesis by clearing heat and generating fluids.
The Jingyue Quanshu version uses Shi Gao to powerfully clear Yangming heat, addressing the root cause. The Xuezheng Lun version, with Tian Hua Fen, Mai Men Dong, and Sheng Di Huang, directly replenishes fluids to relieve thirst. Though their compositions differ, both versions clear heat and restore fluids, balancing yin and yang to eliminate symptoms.
Specifically, Yu Quan San offers:
Clearing Heat and Reducing Fire: Clears Yangming heat to eliminate internal heat.
Generating Fluids and Quenching Thirst: Nourishes yin and replenishes fluids to relieve dry mouth and thirst.
Calming Irritability: Clears heat to soothe the mind and reduce restlessness.
Moistening Intestines and Promoting Bowel Movements: Lubricates the intestines to relieve constipation.
Modern Applications of Yu Quan San
Modern research indicates Yu Quan San can help lower blood sugar, making it useful for diabetes management. It is also applied for:
Oral Ulcers: Clears heat and detoxifies to relieve pain from mouth sores.
Dry Skin: Moistens the skin to alleviate itching caused by dryness.
Constipation: Lubricates the intestines to ease bowel movements.
Precautions for Yu Quan San
Despite its benefits, Yu Quan San requires careful use:
Pattern Differentiation: Yu Quan San is specific to Yangming internal heat and fluid deficiency. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner for proper diagnosis.
Caution for Spleen and Stomach Cold: Its cooling nature may harm those with cold spleen and stomach, so use cautiously.
Yu Quan San is a treasure in Chinese medicine. With its ability to clear heat, generate fluids, and relieve dryness, it brings health and relief. In modern life, stress and poor diet often lead to Yangming heat and fluid deficiency. Proper use of Yu Quan San can clear heat, restore fluids, and alleviate discomfort. Always consult a Chinese medicine practitioner before use to ensure safety and efficacy.
