Chinese: 一贯煎
Pinyin: Yī Guàn Jiān
Other names: Linking Decoction
Chinese: 一贯煎
Pinyin: Yī Guàn Jiān
Other names: Linking Decoction
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: CirrhosisPeptic ulcerCostochondritis and eleven other conditions
Contraindications: This formula is strictly not recommended for pain and distention caused by... This formula is strictly not recommended for pain and distention caused by Dampness or Phlegm, as it could significantly exacerbate the situation. see more
Source date: 1770
Source book: Continuation of Famous Physicians' Cases Organized by Categories
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.
Yi Guan Jian is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula.
Invented in 1770, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) enriches the Yin and 2) spreads the Liver Qi .
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.
In this case Yi Guan Jian is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Qi Stagnation, Liver Yin Deficiency or Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer pain for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the six ingredients in Yi Guan Jian, we review the patterns and conditions that Yi Guan Jian helps treat.
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Di Huang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes."
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
In general Gou Qi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs."
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: LungStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
In general Bei Sha Shen's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes Lung Yin and stops cough. Nourishes Stomach Yin and generates Fluids."
Part used: Dried root tuber
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartLungStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
In general Mai Dong's main actions are as follows: "Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart."
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: SpleenLiverSmall intestine
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Chuan Lian Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Damp Heat. Circulates Qi. Relieves chest, epigastric and abdominal pains. Expels parasites."
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Yi Guan Jian is used by TCM practitioners to treat three different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Chronic active hepatitis Cirrhosis Liver cancer pain Costochondritis Peptic ulcer Essential hypertension Hypertension during pregnancy Addison's disease Thrombocytopenic purpura Pulmonary tuberculosis Diabetes mellitus Chronic orchitis Restless leg syndrome Nervous exhaustion
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Yi Guan Jian treats chronic active hepatitis" for instance. Rather, Yi Guan Jian is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind chronic active hepatitis.
Now let's look at the three patterns commonly treated with Yi Guan Jian.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
Symptoms: Anger Fever Nausea Sighing Anxiety Blister Vomiting Diarrhea Belching Moodiness Hiccuping Headaches Dark face Melancholy Depression Borborygmi Neck lumps Flank pain Mood swings Fluctuation Breast pain Irritability Breast lumps Constipation Poor appetite Breast eczema Abdominal pain Epigastic pain Breast redness Breast nodules Scanty periods Clots in blood Breast hardness Chest distension Menstrual cramps Frequent sighing Breast distention Dark nipple color Thick breast milk Abdomen distension Hypochondriac pain Breast skin cracks Uneven milk supply Dark colored blood Suppressed emotions Premenstrual tension Breast pus discharge Breast skin ichiness Abdominal distension Lower abdominal pain Feeling of distension Epigastric distension Pre-menstrual tension Epigastrium distension Irregular menstruation White spots on nipples Feelings of frustration HypochondriaI distension Yellow vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge Alternating fever and chills Feeling of lump in the throat Premenstrual breast distension Churning feeling in the stomach Abdominal distention and fullness Feeling of pulsation in epigastrium Alternating constipation and diarrhea Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth Stifling sensation in the chest causing one to have deep sighs
Yi Guan Jian is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Qi Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as hypochondriai distension, chest distension, epigastrium distension and abdomen distension. Patients with Liver Qi Stagnation typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Normal or slightly red on the sides.
When Liver Qi does not flow smoothly or regularly, it becomes Stagnant and in Excess. This leads to Heat accumulating in the Liver. This affects not only the Liver, but other connected Organs as well as the Seven Emotions.
Liver Qi Stagnation is not only the most seen Liver disharmony, but also one... read more about Liver Qi Stagnation
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
Symptoms: Cramps Insomnia Dry eyes Dry hair Dry skin Dizziness Headaches Amenorrhea Depression Menopausal Malar flush Nervousness Night sweats Heavy periods Blurred vision Scanty periods Muscle weakness Afternoon fever Floaters in eyes Tingling of limbs 'Floaters' in eyes Hot palms and soles Dull-pale complexion Numbness in the limbs Dream disturbed sleep Feeling of aimlessness Diminished night vision Withered and brittle nails Thirst with desire to drink in small sips Dull-pale complexion without lustre but with red cheekbones
Yi Guan Jian is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dizziness, numbness in the limbs, tingling of limbs and insomnia. Patients with Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu), wiry (Xian) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as Normal or red color on the sides with no coating or rootless coating .
This is a type of Empty-Heat pattern arising out of Liver Blood Deficiency or Kidney Yin Deficiency. It shares similar symptoms as Liver Blood Deficiency, such as blurred and impaired vision, numbness or tingling of limbs, scanty menstruation or amenorrhoea, dull-pale complexion, muscle pain and... read more about Liver Yin Deficiency
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Tics Vertigo Fatigue Tinnitus Insomnia Dry eyes Dry hair Dry skin Dizziness Dry mouth Sore back Headaches Dry throat Dry vagina Dry stools Amenorrhea Joint pain Infertility Hot flushes Night sweats Blurred vision Scanty periods Delayed period Excessive tear Lower back pain Lightheadedness Afraid of light Tingling of limbs Diminished hearing Vertical headaches Occipital headaches Nocturnal emissions Chronic sore throat Hot palms and soles Numbness in the limbs Withered and brittle nails Heat in vaginal and vulvar Feeling of heat in the afternoon Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions Soreness and weakness in the lower back
Yi Guan Jian is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, diminished hearing and lower back pain. Patients with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as Normal-coloured without coating or with rootless coating.
The Liver stores Blood while the Kidneys store Essence.
Liver Blood depends on Essence for nourishment, while Essence depends on Blood for replenishment. Both have a common source: Grain Qi derived from the Spleen. In terms of Five Elements, the Kidneys nourish the Liver.
A long term Liver Blood... read more about Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
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