Chinese: 达原饮
Pinyin: Dá Yuán Yǐn
Other names: Reach the Source Drink
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear malarial disorders
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: MalariaInfluenza
- Opens the membrane source by thrusting out pathogens
- Clears away filth
- Transforms turbidity
Contraindications: This formula is ineffective for treating Damp-Heat disorders in which the... This formula is ineffective for treating Damp-Heat disorders in which the manifestations of Heat are more severe than those of Dampness, as well as for lurking Heat and constrained Dampness. Furthermore, once the Qi Stagnation has been opened and the pathogen discharged, its use must be discontinued. As the Yang Qi that was previously pressed toward the Interior now moves forcefully toward the outside, such cases frequently transmute into a Heat pattern. When this formula is administered repeatedly and incorrectly, ministerial Fire will flare upward, stirring Internal Liver wind with spasms and convulsions. see more
Source date: 1642 AD
Source book: Discussion of Warm Epidemics
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Da Yuan Yin is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Tsaoko Fruits (Cao Guo), Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) and Areca Nuts (Bing Lang) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1642 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear malarial disorders. Its main actions are: 1) opens the membrane source by thrusting out pathogens and 2) clears away filth.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as malaria or influenza for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seven ingredients in Da Yuan Yin, we review the patterns and conditions that Da Yuan Yin helps treat.
The seven ingredients in Da Yuan Yin
Cao Guo is a king ingredient in Da Yuan Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Tsaoko Fruits (Cao Guo)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Cao Guo is an aromatic herb that transforms turbidity. Thus, it stops the vomiting and vents the Pernicious Influences lurking in the half-Exterior, half-Interior level. The strong, aromatic and acrid, and properties of this herb help it reach and open up the membrane source, which turbidity has constrained.
Hou Pu is a king ingredient in Da Yuan Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu)
Part used: Dried stem bark, root bark or branch bark
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: LungSpleenStomach
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Hou Pu an aromatic herb that transforms turbidity, expels Dampness, and regulates the Qi. The strong, aromatic and acrid, and properties of this herb help it reach and open up the membrane source, which turbidity has constrained.
Bing Lang is a king ingredient in Da Yuan Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
3. Areca Nuts (Bing Lang)
Part used: Dried ripe seed
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: Large intestineStomach
Category: Herbs that expel parasites
Bing Lang disperses the Dampness and reduces Stagnation by facilitating the flow of Qi, thereby hastening the elimination of the Pernicious Influences from the Interior. The strong, aromatic and acrid, and properties of this herb help it reach and open up the membrane source, which turbidity has constrained.
Huang Qin is a deputy ingredient in Da Yuan Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLungSmall intestineSpleen
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Huang Qin clears Heat and dries Dampness. It is particularly useful for treating Damp-Heat in the Stomach and Gallbladder.
Zhi Mu is a deputy ingredient in Da Yuan Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
In general Zhi Mu's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Qi level. Clears Heat and Fire from the Lung and Stomach. Clears Heat and tonifies the Yin."
In the context of Da Yuan Yin, it is used because it clears Heat, nourishes the Yin, and prevents Heat from injuring the Yin and Body Fluids.
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Da Yuan Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
6. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
In the context of Da Yuan Yin, it is used because it prevents the acrid, drying properties of the other herbs from damaging the Yin and Blood.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Da Yuan Yin. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
7. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Da Yuan Yin, it is used because it plays a role of harmonizing the actions of the herbs present in the formula.
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