Jin Shui Liu Jun Jian金水六君煎

Metal and Water Six-Gentlemen Decoction

Dispelling Phlegm 祛痰剂Dry Damp and Transform Phlegm 燥湿化痰

Ingredients6 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

当Dang Gui当归Angelicae Sinensis Radix6gNourishes blood and moistens, easing a dry cough without adding phlegm

熟熟地9~15g

陈Chen Pi陈皮Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium4.5gRegulates qi and dries damp so the rich herbs do not stagnate 半Zhi Ban Xia半夏Pinelliae Rhizoma preparatum6gDries damp and transforms phlegm, and keeps Shu Di Huang from cloying 茯Fu Ling茯苓Poria6gDrains damp and strengthens the Spleen, cutting off the source of phlegm

炙Zhi Gan Cao炙甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (honey-fried)3gAugments qi, moderates coughing and harmonizes the two halves of the formula

Indications

Enriches Lung and Kidney yinDries damp and transforms phlegmSettles cough and calms rebellious qi

Lung and Kidney yin deficiency with damp-phlegm flourishing at the same time. Two states that normally call for opposite treatments coexist, so the formula treats both at once rather than choosing.

Clinical Manifestations

Chronic cough in older adults with copious sputum and a dry mouth
Wheeze with abundant phlegm on a background of yin deficiency
Sputum with a salty taste
Long-standing cough that worsens after a chill
Nausea or retching with cough in a depleted patient

TongueGreasy coating on a tongue lacking fluid; body may be pale or slightly red

PulseThin and slippery

Health Categories

Respiratory Health

Modern Applications

Chronic bronchitis COPD Chronic cough in the elderly Post-infectious cough Asthma with copious sputum

Common adjustments

Sputum very copious, fullness after eating — the Shu Di Huang 熟地黄 is reduced and Sha Ren 砂仁 added so it does not clog the middle
Wheeze on exertion, Kidney failing to grasp qi — Wu Wei Zi 五味子 and Bu Gu Zhi 补骨脂 are added
A fresh wind-cold has set the cough off — the enriching herbs are held back and a light exterior-releasing formula is given first
Phlegm has turned hot and yellow — Huang Qin 黄芩 and Gua Lou Pi 瓜蒌皮 are added, or the formula is set aside for a phlegm-heat one

Contraindications

Not for an acute cough with an exterior pattern still present — the enriching herbs trap the pathogen. Not for damp-phlegm without any yin deficiency, where Shu Di Huang only adds to the fullness, and not where the Spleen is so weak that stools are already loose. Use cautiously with poor appetite and abdominal distension. Not combined with // preparations, nor with Gan Sui-class water-expelling formulas.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Use in pregnancy only on a practitioner's decision. Nothing here is a strong abortifacient, but Ban Xia is used in pregnancy only with a clear reason and always in processed form, and the rich Shu Di Huang is heavy on a pregnant digestion. Pregnancy cough is normally treated with a lighter prescription.

Related Formulas

References

Source Jing Yue Quan Shu 《景岳全书》 · Ming

Classical source (public domain) — 《景岳全书》, Ming dynasty, 张介宾.
2. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— listed as an appended formula (附方) to 二陈汤.
3. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
4. Chinese Pharmacopoeia monograph on 半夏 — toxicity of the raw drug and the 3–9 g range for processed forms.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.