Chinese Herbal Formulas
The fifty-six herbal formulas included in this chapter have been selected for their safety, effectiveness, broad range of application, and relative availability. Patent medicines (that is, traditional herbal formulas in pill form) are given here to make this easiest for the most people. Loose raw herbs are the strongest and most customizable option, but they can be more costly and require significantly greater commitment in both acquiring and learning how to properly combine and prepare them.
These are common formulas that are useful for a wide range of ailments. If you do not live near a Chinese herbs shop, the patent medicines can be found online. The name of each patent is given in pinyin, the current standard of romanization for the Mandarin Chinese language. This is done because whether you order online or visit an herbs shop, the pinyin name is the one most easily recognized, so you’ll get the exact formula you want. Also, there are many English-language herbs companies that have their own versions of the traditional formulas, with many different English names possible for the nearly identical formula. (The formulas are “nearly identical” because many companies have modified the original formula according to their idea of improving it or by replacing an expensive or harder-to-get herb with a more common one with similar functions.) If you give those companies the pinyin name, they will be able to provide you with their version of the appropriate formula.
English translations are provided when possible and helpful. In cases where the translation only states the names of the formula’s primary herbs, those are not included. The common name is sometimes given when that is most widely used. For example, Bao Xin An You translates to “Maintain Peaceful Heart Oil,” but it is best known by its common Cantonese name, Po Sum On.
Patent groupings given here are based on traditional formula categories but have been simplified for your convenience and to accommodate this select number of formulas. They are grouped according to either the general conditions they treat along with the organ or organs most commonly involved or according to their primary purpose, such as the tonics for Qi, Yang, Yin, and Blood. Some formulas include common variations, modifications to the main formula that have become standardized in order to address a different but related range of symptoms.
Most conditions are treated by more than one formula. This is because there can be many underlying patterns of disharmony that present with similar symptoms. Selecting the formula that most matches your pattern will always yield the best results. The category, functions, and typical symptoms information will help with your selection, and in Chapter 18 you’ll find additional guidance.
Note that while all the formulas are generally safe, there are a very few instances where cautions are given, primarily regarding pregnancy. In those cases, there is still no inherent toxicity in the herbs. Those formulas contain herbs that move the blood, which is very useful in pain conditions. However, those herbs will consider the fetus as a type of Blood Stasis that needs to be moved, which may result in a miscarriage.
Lungs: Common Cold with Variations
1. Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian
Category: Releases the Surface
Function: Releases External Wind Heat.
Typical Symptoms: Common cold with fever more than chills, sore throat, headache, body ache. Can help with tonsillitis, measles.
Special Instructions: Best taken within the first day of onset of symptoms; use for three days only. Because it releases the surface and dispels Heat, it can be used off-label for some skin conditions, such as poison ivy, poison oak, or hives.
Additional Note: This is a “medicine chest” formula that everyone should keep on hand.
2. Xiao Feng San
Translation: Eliminate Wind Powder
Category: Releases Wind from Skin and Channels
Functions: Disperses Wind and Damp, clears Heat and cools Blood.
Typical Symptoms: Eczema, hives, acne, dermatitis, itchy, red skin lesions with pus.
3. Bi Yan Pian
Translation: Nasal Inflammation Pills
Category: Releases the Surface
Function: Releases External Wind Heat or Wind Cold.
Typical Symptoms: Common cold with nasal symptoms, sinus pain, sinusitis,
facial sinus, and nasal congestion.
4. Gan Mao Ling
Category: Releases the Surface
Function: Releases External Wind Heat or Wind Cold.
Typical Symptoms: Common cold and flu, swollen lymph glands, headache, sore throat, body aches.
5. Yu Ping Feng San
Translation: Jade Windscreen Powder
Category: Stabilizes the Exterior
Functions: Tonifies Weiqi, stops sweating.
Typical Symptoms: Frequent colds, aversion to wind, spontaneous sweat.
Additional Notes: Boosts immune system, increases resistance to disease, prevents colds.
6. Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Tang
Category: Releases the Surface (for head and neck)
Functions: Disperses External Wind Cold, alleviates pain.
Typical Symptoms: Common cold with pain, headache, nasal congestion, sinus infection.
7. Zhi Ke Chuan Bei Pi Pa Lu
Category: Releases Surface
Functions: Dispels Wind, tonifies Lungs.
Typical Symptoms: Cough from many causes, such as external Wind, Lung Qi deficiency, and Lung Yin deficiency with hot phlegm.
Additional Note: This is a cough syrup.
8. Lo Han Guo Zhi Ke Lu or Lo Han Guo Chong Ji
Category: Nourishes Yin
Function: Moistens and cools Lungs.
Typical Symptoms: Cough with Heat (sore throat or fever), especially with Lung Yin deficiency.
Additional Notes: Lo Han Guo Zhi Ke Lu is a syrup and may be stronger for deep cough with yellow phlegm. Lo Han Guo Chong Ji is a powder pressed into cubes for tea.
9. Superior Sore Throat Powder Spray
Function: Clears external Wind Heat or internal Heat toxin.
Typical Symptoms: Sore throat, inflammation, sinus and ear infections, open sores in mouth or skin.
Additional Note: This is used topically in throat or on skin.
CAUTION: In throat application, use for short term only. Stop use once throat is better.
10. Watermelon Frost
Typical Symptoms: Sore throat, toothache, mouth sores/ulcerations.
Additional Note: Similar to Superior Sore Throat Powder Spray but milder.
Lungs: Asthma, Emphysema, Bronchitis
11. Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Translation: Clear Qi, Expel Phlegm Pill
Categories: Clears Heat, Transforms Phlegm
Functions: Clears Heat, expels Phlegm, descends Qi, stops cough.
Typical Symptoms: Cough with thick, yellow, sticky phlegm, fullness in the chest and diaphragm, sinus congestion, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis. Possible nausea.
Additional Note: Best used for Spleen deficiency generating internal phlegm.
12. Ping Chuan Wan
Translation: Calm Asthma Pill
Categories: Tonifies Qi, Transforms Phlegm
Functions: Tonifies Qi, Lungs, and Kidneys; resolves Phlegm.
Typical Symptoms: Chronic cough, difficult breathing, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis.
Additional Note: Best used for Kidneys failing to grasp Lung Qi.
Stomach/Spleen: Digestive Disorders
13. Ping Wei Pian
Translation: Peaceful Stomach Tablets
Category: Transforms Damp
Functions: Dries Damp, benefits Spleen, harmonizes the Middle Jiao (primarily Stomach and Spleen), moves and regulates Qi.
Typical Symptoms: Loss of taste and appetite, stomachache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distension.
Additional Note: A classic formula for most types of stomach distress.
14. Kang Ning Wan
Translation: Pill Curing
Common Name: Stomach Curing Pills
Category: Transforms Damp Phlegm
Functions: Disperses Wind Damp, resolves Spleen Damp.
Typical Symptoms: Stomach flu, nausea, cramping, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, food poisoning. Also used for motion sickness and morning sickness.
Additional Notes: Most widely known as Stomach Curing Pills. This is a “medicine chest” formula that everyone should keep on hand for stomach first aid.
15. Bao He Wan
Translation: Preserve Harmony Pill
Category: Reduce Food Stagnation
Functions: Disperses food stagnation and accumulations of Phlegm or Hot Phlegm in the Stomach, invigorates Stomach Qi.
Typical Symptoms: Abdominal and epigastric distension and pain, belching, abdominal gas, constipation, diarrhea, high blood pressure.
Additional Note: Can lower cholesterol.
16. Shen Ling Bai Zhu Pian
Category: Tonifies Qi
Functions: Builds Qi, strengthens the Spleen, resolves Damp.
Typical Symptoms: Fatigue, poor digestion, poor appetite, indigestion, belching, abdominal bloating, weight loss, diarrhea, morning sickness.
17. Liu Jun Zi Tang
Translation: Six Gentlemen Formula
Category: Tonifies Qi
Functions: Tonifies Spleen Qi, transforms Damp and Phlegm, stops vomit.
Typical Symptoms: Poor appetite, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
18. Xiang Xia Liu Jun Zi Tang
Category: Tonifies Qi
Functions: Tonifies and regulates Spleen Qi, harmonizes Stomach and Spleen, transforms Cold Damp, stops pain.
Typical Symptoms: Poor appetite, abdominal distension with pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. Used for morning sickness.
Additional Note: This builds on Liu Jun Zi Tang, adding two herbs for a stronger effect, and also warms the center.
19. Ban Xia Huo Po Tang
Category: Moves Qi
Function: Clears Stomach Damp and constrained Stomach Qi.
Typical Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, food stagnation or poisoning, morning sickness, cough with profuse phlegm, and a sense of having a plum-pit stuck in the throat (plum-pit Qi).
Heart: Insomnia, Anxiety
20. An Mian Pian
Translation: Peaceful Sleep Tablet
Categories: Nourishes Heart, Calms Spirit
Functions: Cools Liver Heat, smoothes Liver Qi, calms spirit.
Typical Symptoms: Insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, eye irritation, dream-disturbed sleep.
Additional Note: This is a “medicine chest” formula that everyone should keep on hand.
21. Tian Wang Bu Xing Dan
Translation: Celestial Emperor’s Tonify the Heart Pill
Categories: Nourishes Heart, Calms Spirit
Functions: Nourishes Heart Blood and Yin, nourishes Kidney Yin, clears Yin-deficient Heat, calms spirit.
Typical Symptoms: Insomnia, irritability, anxiety, vivid dreams, fatigue, constipation, poor concentration, forgetfulness, nocturnal emission.
22. Gui Pi Wan
Translation: Restore the Spleen Pill
Category: Tonifies Blood
Functions: Nourishes Heart Yin and Blood, tonifies Heart and Spleen Qi, calms spirit.
Typical Symptoms: Insomnia, fatigue, night sweats, palpitations, restlessness, dream-disturbed sleep, anxiety, forgetfulness, poor digestion, abdominal distension.
23. Suan Zao Ren Tang
Translation: Sour Jujube Decoction
Categories: Nourishes Heart, Calms Spirit
Functions: Nurtures the Heart, nourishes Blood, calms spirit, clears Heat.
Typical Symptoms: Insomnia, irritability, palpitations, night sweats, dizziness, dry throat and mouth.
Liver: Detox, Stress
24. Xiao Yao Wan
Translation: Free and Easy Wanderer Pill
Category: Regulates and Harmonizes Liver and Spleen
Functions: Spreads constrained Liver Qi, tonifies the Spleen, nourishes Blood, harmonizes Liver and Spleen.
Typical Symptoms: Digestive disorders, menstrual disorders, pain below the ribs, emotional upset, dizziness, headache, fatigue, blurred vision.
Additional Notes: May also be helpful with food and airborne allergies. It is a calming formula.
25. Shu Gan Wan
Translation: Soothe the Liver Pills
Category: Regulates and Harmonizes Liver and Spleen
Functions: Spreads constrained Liver Qi, regulates the Spleen, nourishes Blood, stops pain.
Typical Symptoms: Abdominal distension and pain, gas, belching, diarrhea, poor digestion, poor appetite.
Additional Notes: May be helpful for hepatitis.
CAUTION: Contraindicated during pregnancy.
26. Long Dan Xie Gan Wan
Category: Clears Heat from the Liver
Functions: Clears Fire from the Liver and Gall Bladder, clears and drains Damp Heat from the Lower Jiao.
Typical Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, pain below the ribs, red and sore eyes, reduced hearing or tinnitus, easy to anger, difficult or painful urination, herpes.
27. Dan Zhi Xiao Yao Wan
Category: Regulates and Harmonizes Liver and Spleen
Functions: Spreads constrained Liver Qi, clears Liver Heat, tonifies the Spleen, nourishes Blood, harmonizes Liver and Spleen.
Typical Symptoms: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), abdominal and breast distension, headache, irritability, poor appetite, restlessness, menopausal hot flashes.
Additional Note: For menstrual disorders with Liver Heat signs.
28. Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Category: Regulates and Harmonizes Liver and Spleen
Functions: Spreads constrained Liver Qi, clears Liver Heat, tonifies the Spleen, nourishes Blood, harmonizes Liver and Spleen, regulates the Gall Bladder.
Typical Symptoms: Poor appetite, poor sleep, neck and shoulder tension, full sensation in the chest and below the ribs, headache, anxiety, alternating fever and chills.
Kidneys: Low Energy, Urinary
and Sexual Dysfunction, Arthritis
29. Ba Zheng Tang
Translation: Eight Rectifying Powder
Category: Clears Damp Heat
Function: Clears Damp Heat in the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder.
Typical Symptoms: Urinary tract infections, painful urination, prostatitis, bladder stones, dry mouth and throat, abdominal distension and pain.
CAUTION: Contraindicated during pregnancy.
30. Wu Ling San
Categories: Promotes Urination, Drains Damp
Functions: Tonifies Spleen, warms Yang, promotes urination and drains Damp.
Typical Symptoms: Headache, irritability, fever, edema, ascites, urinary frequency and retention, diarrhea and other digestive disturbances, dizziness, shortness of breath.
31. Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan
Category: Dispels Wind Damp
Functions: Dispels Wind Damp, disperses painful obstruction in the channels and joints, tonifies Liver Kidneys, Qi, and Blood.
Typical Symptoms: Arthritis, rheumatism, low back and knee pain, sciatica, shortness of breath, aversion to cold, possible numbness.
CAUTION during pregnancy.
32. Kang Gu Zheng Sheng Pian
Translation: Counters Bone Hyperplasia Pill
Category: Tonifies Yang
Functions: Tonifies Qi, Yang, Kidneys, and Liver; benefits marrow, tendon, and bone.
Typical Symptoms: General back pain, vertebral bone spurs, subluxation, spondylitis, spinal inflammation.
33. Te Xiao Bai Shi Wan
Translation: Special Effective Discharge (Kidney) Stone Pill
Common Name: Passwan Formula
Category: Clears Damp Heat
Functions: Clears Damp Heat in Kidneys and Urinary Bladder; benefits Kidneys, Bladder, Spleen, and Intestines.
Typical Symptoms: Kidney, bladder, and ureter stones, kidney infection or inflammation, blood in the urine.
Qi Tonics
34. Ba Zhen Wan
Translation: Eight Treasures Pill
Category: Tonifies Qi and Blood
Function: Tonifies Qi and blood.
Typical Symptoms: Fatigue, poor appetite, loose stool, heart palpitations, anxiety, shortness of breath, menstrual irregularities.
Additional Notes: It promotes tissue regeneration after surgery or prolonged illness. This formula is a blend of the Qi tonic Si Jun Zi Tang and the Blood-nourishing formula Si Wu Tang. Combining the benefits of both, it’s a great all-purpose tonic. One of my herbs teachers called this “Chinese vitamin pills,” in that it’s a formula that has something to benefit just about everyone. This is a “medicine chest” formula that everyone should keep on hand.
35. Si Jun Zi Tang
Translation: Four Gentlemen Decoction
Category: Tonifies Qi
Function: Tonifies Spleen Qi.
Typical Symptoms: Low energy, poor appetite, loose stool, abdominal gas.
36. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan
Translation: Tonifies the Middle (Jiao) and Supplements the Qi Pill
Category: Tonifies Qi
Functions: Tonifies the Qi of the Middle Jiao, raises Yang Qi (primarily Spleen Yang).
Typical Symptoms: Abdominal distension and gas, loose stool, spontaneous sweat, aversion to cold, all types of prolapse/sinking Qi from Spleen Qi and Yang deficiency. Prolapse symptoms include prolapsed rectum, colon, and uterus, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, frequent miscarriage, hernia, chronic diarrhea.
37. Shen Qi Da Bu Wan
Translation: Ginseng and Astragalus Great Tonifying Pill
Category: Tonifies Qi
Functions: Tonifies Qi and Weiqi, strengthens the immune system.
Typical Symptoms: General weakness, low energy, debility, fatigue, digestive disorders due to Spleen Qi deficiency.
Additional Notes: This formula has only two ingredients, ginseng (Ren Shen) and astragalus (Huang Qi). It may be used effectively by itself and may be taken with other tonic formulas when the presentation is appropriate.
Blood Tonics
38. Si Wu Tang
Translation: Four Substance Decoction
Category: Nourishes Blood
Function: Nourishes Blood, regulates the Liver.
Typical Symptoms: Anemia, fatigue, dizziness, muscle tension, numerous dry symptoms like dry hair, dry skin, dry nails, constipation, and delayed or absent menses.
39. Shou Wu Zhi/Pian
Categories: Nourishes Blood, Tonifies Jing
Functions: Nourishes Liver Blood, Jing, and Yin; moves Blood.
Typical Symptoms: Fatigue, delayed or absent menses, dry hair, skin, throat, and lungs, premature gray hair, insomnia, blurred vision, floaters (spots in the visual field, male sexual depletion.
Additional Note: Helps lower cholesterol.
Yang Tonics
40. Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Translation: Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet
Category: Tonifies Yang
Function: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang.
Typical Symptoms: Cold hands and feet, low back pain, frequent or profuse urination, incontinence, edema, impotence, infertility, other sexual dysfunction.
Additional Note: Based on the Yin tonic Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with herbs added to address Kidney Yang.
41. Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Category: Tonifies Yang
Functions: Tonifies and warms Kidney and Spleen Qi and Yang.
Typical Symptoms: Poor digestion, cold hands and feet, low back pain, frequent or profuse urination, incontinence, edema.
Additional Notes: Useful for diabetes and to prevent senility. Based on the Yin tonic Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with herbs added to address Kidney and Spleen Yang. There are at least two formulas with this name; the formula intended here contains cinnamon bark (Rou Gui) and aconite (Fu Zi) as Yang tonics.
42. You Gui Wan
Translation: Restores the Right (Kidney) Pill
Category: Tonifies Yang
Functions: Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang, nourishes Jing and Blood.
Typical Symptoms: Debility from chronic illness, cold limbs, hands, and feet, low back pain, diarrhea, spermatorrhea, impotence, infertility, incontinence, edema.
Yin Tonics
43. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Category: Nourishes Yin
Functions: Nourishes Kidney, Liver, and Spleen Yin.
Typical Symptoms: Low back pain, dizziness, restlessness, insomnia, tinnitus, reduced hearing, night sweats, sore throat, impotence.
44. Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Category: Nourishes Yin
Functions: Nourishes Kidney Yin and Liver Yin and Blood.
Typical Symptoms: Night blindness, dry or painful eyes, blurred vision, reduced visual acuity, light sensitivity.
Additional Note: This is a variation of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan with two herbs added to enhance benefits for the eyes.
45. Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Translation: Improves Vision Pill (with Rehmannia)
Category: Nourishes Yin
Functions: Nourishes Kidney Yin and Liver Yin and Blood.
Typical Symptoms: Night blindness, dry or painful eyes, blurred vision, reduced visual acuity, light sensitivity, glaucoma and cataracts.
Additional Notes: This is a variation of Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, with herbs added to clear Liver Internal Heat and Wind, and treats eye disorders more strongly than the principal formula.
46. Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan
Category: Nourishes Yin
Functions: Nourishes Kidney Yin, clears Heat.
Typical Symptoms: Night sweats, intermittent low-grade fever, restlessness, poor sleep, high blood pressure, urinary difficulty, low back pain.
Additional Notes: This is a variation of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with two added herbs to clear strong Kidney Yin Deficiency Heat consuming Lung, Liver, and Heart Yin fluids.
47. Da Bu Yin Wan
Translation: Great Tonify the Yin Pill
Category: Nourishes Yin
Functions: Nourishes Yin, descends Fire.
Typical Symptoms: Night sweats, insomnia, menopausal hot flashes, spontaneous emission, irritability, knee and leg pain with heat.
Pain: General, Traumatic, Arthritis
48. Yi Yi Ren Tang
Category: Dispels Wind Damp
Functions: Dispels Wind Damp from the surface and channels, nourishes and moistens Blood.
Typical Symptoms: Swollen and painful joints primarily in the hands, feet, arms, and neck, neuritis, arthritis, rheumatism, fever.
49. Yan Hu Suo Zhi Tong Pian
Categories: Moves Blood, Dispels Blood Stasis
Functions: Moves Qi and blood in the channels, dispels Wind Damp.
Typical Symptoms: Headache, sinus pain, stomachache, menstrual cramps, toothache, most pain disorders.
Additional Notes: Zhi Tong Pian means “Stops Pain Tablets.” One of my herbs teachers called the herb Yan Hu Suo “Chinese aspirin.”
50. Yunnan Te Chuan Tian Qi Pian
Categories: Moves Blood, Stops Bleeding
Functions: Warms and moves Blood, breaks up Blood Stasis, stops bleeding, reduces swelling and pain.
Typical Symptoms: Nosebleeds, blood in urine, bleeding from trauma, bruising, menstrual cramps.
Additional Note: Helps lower blood pressure and serum cholesterol. This is a single-herb tablet of Tienqi ginseng.
CAUTION: Contraindicated during pregnancy.
51. Yunnan Bai Yao
Translation: Yunnan (Province) White Medicine
Categories: Moves Blood, Stops Bleeding
Functions: Moves Blood, stops bleeding and pain.
Typical Symptoms: Pain, internal or external bleeding (may be applied topically for external bleeding), swelling and pain from injury, severe menstrual bleeding, bleeding ulcers.
Additional Notes: This is a “medicine chest” formula that everyone should keep on hand. It is a powerful first-aid remedy for most pain and bleeding conditions. Not a traditional formula, this is available in powder or capsule form only. The main known ingredient is Tienqi ginseng, but it contains other proprietary secret ingredients.
CAUTION: Contraindicated during pregnancy.
52. Jin Gu Die Shang Wan
Translation: Muscle and Bone Traumatic Injury Pill
Categories: Moves Blood, Stops Bleeding and Pain
Functions: Moves the Blood, stops bleeding, strengthens tendons, promotes healing.
Typical Symptoms: Acute traumatic injuries of all sorts, including fractures, strains, and sprains, with swelling and pain.
CAUTION: Contraindicated during pregnancy.
53. Dan Shen Yin
Category: Moves Blood, Stops Bleeding
Functions: Moves Blood and Qi, disperses Blood Stasis, stops pain.
Typical Symptoms: Chest pain, angina, heart attack, stroke, abdominal pain radiating to the back and shoulder blades.
Additional Notes: Helps lower blood pressure and serum cholesterol. The classic formula has just three ingredients and generally addresses the Middle Jiao while still addressing Heart and Liver Blood Stasis. Contemporary pill forms contain fourteen ingredients, more strongly addressing the Heart and Liver. Both have Dan Shen as the main herb. The listed symptoms are more fully addressed by the pill form.
CAUTION: Contraindicated during pregnancy.
54. Chuan Bi Tang
Translation: Relieves Painful Obstruction Decoction
Categories: Releases Wind Cold Damp, Moves Blood
Functions: Clears Wind Cold Damp in the channels, breaks up Blood Stasis.
Typical Symptoms: Arthritis, bursitis, rheumatism, and other joint pain, especially in the upper body.
Topicals for Pain
55. Bao Xin An You
Translation: Maintain Peaceful Heart Oil
Common Name: Po Sum On
Category: Topical to Move Blood
Function: Clears Wind Cold, warms and moves Blood.
Typical Symptoms: Pain syndromes, rheumatism, chronic pain, acute injury.
Additional Notes: This is best known as Po Sum On. It is a “medicine chest” formula that everyone should keep on hand.
56. Zhen Gu Shui
Translation: Rectify Bone Liquid
Category: Topical to Move Qi and Blood
Functions: Moves Qi and Blood, relaxes muscles and tendons.
Typical Symptoms: Traumatic injuries of all sorts, fractures, sprains, torn muscles and ligaments.
Additional Notes: Promotes healing and stops pain. Popular among athletes and martial artists.