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Yin Qiao San (銀翹散), ‘Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder’, disperses wind-heat and clears heat and toxicity; it is the foremost formula for the early stage of warm febrile disease (wind-heat common cold and flu).
English Name
Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder
Classical Source
Wen Bing Tiao Bian (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases), 1798
Ingredients
- Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle) 9g & Lian Qiao (forsythia) 9g – chief
- Bo He (mint), Niu Bang Zi (burdock), Jing Jie, Dan Dou Chi – deputies/assistants
- Jie Geng, Lu Gen, Dan Zhu Ye, Gan Cao – assistants/envoy
Actions & Functions
- Disperses wind-heat and releases the exterior
- Clears heat and resolves toxicity; benefits the throat
Indications
Early-stage wind-heat: fever with mild or no chills, sore throat, headache, thirst and cough.
Tongue & Pulse
Tongue: red tip, thin white or thin yellow coat. Pulse: floating and rapid.
Modifications
With a severe sore throat, add Ban Lan Gen and Shan Dou Gen. With marked thirst, add Tian Hua Fen.
Cautions & Contraindications
For the early, exterior stage only; not for wind-cold or for damp-heat patterns. Add the aromatic herbs near the end of cooking.
