Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang养阴清肺汤
Nourish the Yin and Clear the Lung Decoction
Ingredients8 herbs
Indications
Yin deficiency with dryness-heat toxin in the throat: a constitutionally yin-deficient Lung and Kidney meet a dry, hot pathogen, which lodges in the throat and scorches it.
Clinical Manifestations
- Dry, sore, swollen throat on a yin-deficient background
- Hoarseness with a dry cough and scanty sputum
- Recurrent pharyngitis with a red, dry throat
- Dry nose and lips with afternoon warmth
- (diphtheria) — the formula's historical indication, alongside emergency medical care
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Marked toxic heat with severe throat pain — add Jin Yin Hua 金银花 and Lian Qiao 连翘
- Pronounced dryness with a hard dry cough — add Tian Men Dong 天门冬 or Shi Hu 石斛
- Deep yin depletion with night sweats — add Shu Di Huang 熟地黄
- Constipation from fluid exhaustion — combine with Zeng Ye Tang rather than reaching for a purgative
Contraindications
Diphtheria is a life-threatening, notifiable infection: it requires antitoxin and antibiotic treatment, and this entry documents a traditional formula, not a substitute for emergency medical care. Within TCM terms the formula is also wrong for a throat obstructed by excess heat and thick phlegm with a greasy yellow coating, and for anyone with a cold, damp middle burner, since the herbs are cold and enriching. The classical texts on warn specifically against forcing a sweat or purging.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Use with caution in pregnancy — it contains Mu Dan Pi, which moves blood and is given cautiously to pregnant patients, and the formula as a whole is cold. Any throat infection in pregnancy needs medical assessment first.
References
Source Chong Lou Yu Yue 《重楼玉钥》 · Qing
「缘此症发于肺肾，凡本质不足者，或遇燥气流行，或多食辛热之物，感触而发。」
- Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）治燥剂·滋阴润燥 — pattern analysis cross-checked.
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.