Da Bu Yin Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
大補陰丸 · Dà Bǔ Yīn Wán
A classical Yin-tonifying formula for Kidney Yin deficiency with vigorous ministerial fire, tidal heat and night sweating.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yin-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Kidney Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Enrich Yin, direct fire downward
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Strongly nourish true Yin and clear ministerial fire
- Classical Source
- Ming-Qing classical formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical Yin-tonifying formula for Kidney Yin deficiency with vigorous ministerial fire, tidal heat and night sweating.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when Kidney Yin deficiency presents with vigorous ministerial fire — marked tidal heat and night sweating — rather than pure Yin deficiency without fire or milder heat-clearing Yin tonics.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
熟地黃Shu Di Huang18g
Prepared Rehmannia Root- supplements yin and enriches blood
龜板Gui Ban18g
Tortoise Plastron- enriches yin and subdues yang
Classical Composition
- Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (steamed with wine) (Shu Di Huang jiu chao) 6 liang (180g)
- Testudinis Plastrum (Gui Ban zhi prepared) 6 liang (180g)
- Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex(Huang Bai chao; fried) 4 liang (120g)
- Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhi Mu jiu jin chao; soaked in wine fried) 4 liang (120g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Enriches yin and subdues fire.
Indications
- Da Bu Yin Wan is used to treat patterns of yin deficiency with deficiency fire marked by steaming bone fever, night sweat, seminal emission, cough, hemoptysis, vexation, irascibility, pain and redness of the feet and knees, a red tongue with scanty coating, and a rapid, powerful pulse at the chi position.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by liver-kidney deficiency, true yin deficiency, and exuberance of ministerial fire.
- The kidney is the viscus of water and fire.
- When the true yin is deficient, the ministerial fire is excessive and generates deficiency-fire.
- The symptoms include steaming bone fever, night sweat, seminal emission, pain and redness of feet and knees.
- Deficiency-fire even scorches the lung in this pattern causing cough and hemoptysis.
- Deficiency-fire harasses the heart spirit and causes vexation and irascibility.
Treatment strategy
- The therapeutic method is to powerfully supplement true yin and help subdue fire.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Da Bu Yin Wan, Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and Zuo Gui Wan all enrich Kidney Yin. Liu Wei both tonifies and mildly drains; Zuo Gui purely tonifies true Yin without clearing fire; Zhi Bai Di Huang adds heat-clearing for milder Yin-deficiency fire. Da Bu Yin Wan strongly enriches true Yin and directs ministerial fire downward for vigorous fire with tidal heat and night sweating.
Clinical Differentiation
- Da Bu Yin Wan is the most common formula used to enrich yin and subdue fire.
- This formula should not be used in cases of spleen-stomach weakness, poor appetite, loose stool, and excessive fire and heat patterns.
- This clinical pattern is marked by steaming bone fever, red tongue with scanty coating, and a rapid, powerful pulse at the chi position.
Safety notes: This formula is enriching and downward. It is not appropriate for spleen deficiency with loose stools or for yang-deficiency cold.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Da Bu Yin Wan?
Da Bu Yin Wan has the actions of greatly nourishing Yin and directing deficient Fire downward. It deeply replenishes Kidney and Liver Yin so that the rising empty Fire is brought under control and the steaming Heat symptoms subside.
Which modern diseases is Da Bu Yin Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Kidney-Liver Yin deficiency with vigorous Fire, including menopausal hot flashes and night sweats of Yin-deficiency type, certain presentations of hyperthyroidism, recovery-stage tuberculosis or chronic cough with Yin-deficiency Heat, tinnitus and lower-back weakness of this pattern, and some cases of seminal emission or irritability linked to empty Fire.
Is Da Bu Yin Wan suitable for improving tidal fever, night sweats, five-center Heat, and irritability?
For presentations of afternoon or tidal fever, night sweats, a sensation of heat in the bones or five centers (palms, soles, and chest), irritability, dry mouth, possible tinnitus or sore weak lower back and knees, a red tongue with little coating, and a thin rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Yin deficiency with vigorous empty Fire — TCM commonly applies Da Bu Yin Wan as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Nong's Da Bu Yin Wan (Great Tonify the Yin Formula) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Da Bu Yin Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Yin Deficiency with Fire, Night Sweats & Steaming Bone
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Yin Deficiency with Fire, Night Sweats & Hot Flashes
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Kidney & Liver Yin Deficiency
Zuo Gui Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Kidney Yin Deficiency, Lower Back Pain & Night Sweats
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.