Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang: A Classic Formula for Nourishing Yin and Reducing Heat
Hongji Medical- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang comes from the Ming Dynasty physician Shen Jinao’s Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu (Shen’s Book on Respecting Life). It is used to treat symptoms caused by exhaustion, yin and blood deficiency, and excessive internal heat, such as fever, night sweats, heart palpitations, cough, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, dry throat, weight loss, constipation, red tongue, and a deep, rapid pulse. In ancient times, stress and environmental factors often led to these issues, causing significant discomfort.
Shen Jinao detailed the formula’s composition and uses in Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu, emphasizing its effectiveness in nourishing yin and reducing internal heat.
Formula Explanation of Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang
Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang consists of 13 herbs: Sheng Di Huang, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Bai Zhu, Tian Men Dong, Shu Di Huang, Chen Pi, Zhi Mu, Huang Bai, Zhi Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao, and Mai Men Dong. These are organized according to the Chinese medicine principle of “monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy”:
Monarch Herbs: Sheng Di Huang, Shu Di Huang. These nourish yin and strengthen kidney yin. Sheng Di Huang (cold) clears heat, cools blood, and generates fluids; Shu Di Huang (warm) nourishes blood, boosts yin, and supports essence and marrow.
Supporting Herbs: Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Tian Men Dong, Mai Men Dong. Dang Gui and Bai Shao nourish and harmonize blood. Dang Gui (warm) improves blood deficiency; Bai Shao (cold) nourishes blood, soothes the liver, and relieves pain. Tian Men Dong and Mai Men Dong nourish yin and clear lung dryness. Tian Men Dong (cold) clears heat, moistens lungs, and stops cough; Mai Men Dong (cold) nourishes lung yin and calms irritability.
Assistant/Envoy Herbs: Zhi Mu, Huang Bai, Bai Zhu, Chen Pi, Zhi Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao. Zhi Mu and Huang Bai (both cold) reduce deficient heat; Zhi Mu clears heat and moistens dryness, while Huang Bai clears heat, dries dampness, and detoxifies. Bai Zhu, Chen Pi, Zhi Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, and Da Zao strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach to support digestion.
Pathogenesis Analysis of Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang
Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang targets symptoms from lung and kidney yin deficiency with excessive internal heat. In Chinese medicine, the lungs govern qi, and the kidneys store essence.
When lung and kidney yin are deficient, internal heat flares, causing symptoms.
When kidney yin is low and liver blood is weak, internal heat becomes excessive, leading to fever, night sweats, palpitations, cough, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, dry throat, weight loss, constipation, red tongue, and a deep, rapid pulse.
Overthinking or stress depletes qi and blood, worsening kidney yin and liver blood deficiency, resulting in exhaustion and excessive heat. The kidneys, which store essence and manage water, are the body’s foundation, while the liver, which stores blood and regulates flow, supports ongoing health.
Main Effects of Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang
Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang is primarily used for exhaustion, yin and blood deficiency, and excessive internal heat, particularly for symptoms like fever, night sweats, palpitations, cough, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, dry throat, weight loss, constipation, red tongue, and deep, rapid pulse.
Its main effect is nourishing yin and reducing heat, achieved through:
Nourishing Lung and Kidney: Sheng Di Huang and Shu Di Huang boost kidney yin; Tian Men Dong and Mai Men Dong nourish lung yin and relieve dryness.
Clearing Heat: Zhi Mu and Huang Bai reduce deficient heat and clear flaring heat symptoms.
Nourishing Yin and Blood: Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Sheng Di Huang, and Shu Di Huang nourish blood and improve deficiency.
Stopping Cough and Clearing Phlegm: Tian Men Dong, Mai Men Dong, Zhi Mu, and Huang Bai moisten lungs, stop cough, and clear phlegm.
Strengthening Spleen and Stomach: Bai Zhu, Chen Pi, Zhi Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, and Da Zao support digestion, preventing heavy herbs from burdening the stomach.
Modern Applications
In modern medicine, Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang is widely used for conditions linked to exhaustion, yin-blood deficiency, and excessive heat.
It effectively treats pulmonary tuberculosis, relieving symptoms like fever, night sweats, cough, dry throat, and weight loss by nourishing yin, boosting kidney and lung health, clearing heat, and supporting blood. It also helps with renal tuberculosis, easing fever, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, dry throat, and weight loss.
The formula is used for arteriosclerosis and hypertension, improving symptoms like high blood pressure, palpitations, fatigue, dry mouth, and insomnia caused by arteriosclerosis, as well as dizziness, palpitations, and fatigue from hypertension. It also supports pyelonephritis, relieving fever, fatigue, dry mouth, insomnia, dry throat, and weight loss, and bronchitis, easing cough, dry throat, and weight loss, through its nourishing and heat-clearing effects.
Precautions
When using Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang, keep the following in mind:
Pattern Differentiation: It targets exhaustion, yin-blood deficiency, and excessive heat with symptoms like fever, night sweats, palpitations, and dry mouth. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to confirm suitability based on symptoms and constitution.
Contraindications: Not suitable for patients with excess heat, true fire, or excess conditions, as its yin-nourishing and heat-clearing nature may worsen these.
Dietary Restrictions: Avoid spicy, heat-inducing foods to prevent reducing the formula’s effectiveness or worsening symptoms.
Conclusion
Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang, a time-honored formula from Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu, is a classic remedy for exhaustion, yin-blood deficiency, and excessive heat. Its unique composition and proven effectiveness make it valuable in Chinese medicine practice. By understanding its origins, composition, indications, effects, and modern applications, we see its significant role in treating related conditions, offering a blend of traditional wisdom and modern therapeutic value.
