Gan Lu Yin
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
甘露飲 · Gān Lù Yǐn
A classical formula for Yin deficiency with damp-heat in the upper jiao — dry mouth, gum swelling and sticky saliva.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Stomach Heat
- Primary Function
- Enrich Yin, clear heat, resolve damp, generate fluids
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Nourish Yin, clear heat and drain damp from the upper jiao
- Classical Source
- Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Song, 1107)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for Yin deficiency with damp-heat in the upper jiao — dry mouth, gum swelling and sticky saliva.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for Yin deficiency with damp-heat in the upper jiao affecting mouth and gums, rather than pure Stomach fire, Yin-deficiency Stomach heat, or latent Spleen heat alone.
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
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
石斛Shi Hu9g
Dendrobium- nourishes stomach yin and brightens the eyes
天冬Tian Dong9g
Asparagus Root- nourishes lung-kidney yin
麥冬Mai Dong9g
Ophiopogon Tuber- nourishes yin and generates fluids
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
枇杷葉Pi Pa Ye9g
Loquat Leaf- clears lung heat and directs qi downward
茵陳Yin Chen9g
Virgate Wormwood- clears damp-heat and abates jaundice
黃芩Huang Qin6g
Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap- clears heat from the lung
- stomach and liver-gallbladder
枳殼Zhi Ke6g
Bitter Orange- moves qi in the middle jiao and relieves distension
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di Huang) 12g
- Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (Shu Di Huang) 12g
- Herba Dendrobii (Shi Hu) 9g
- Radix Asparagi (Tian Dong) 9g
- Radix Ophiopogonis (Mai Dong) 9g
- Folium Eriobotryae (Pi Pa Ye) 9g
- Herba Artemisiae Scopariae (Yin Chen) 9g
- Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin) 6g
- Fructus Aurantii (Zhi Ke) 6g
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao) 3g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Enriches yin
- clears heat
- and moistens dryness in the upper and middle jiao.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for yin deficiency with lurking heat in the stomach and lung.
- Signs and symptoms include dry mouth, swollen gums, bad breath, and scant sticky sputum.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red with little coating.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is due to exuberant heat in the yangming stomach that scorches fluids and drives qi upward.
- Yin deficiency with lurking heat in the stomach and lung produces dry mouth, swollen gums, bad breath and scanty sticky sputum.
Clinical presentation
- Typical signs include thirst, bad breath, swollen gums or a rapid, flooding pulse.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to clear stomach heat and drain fire while protecting fluids.
- In this formula the emphasis is to nourish Yin, clear heat and drain damp from the upper jiao.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Gan Lu Yin, Qing Wei San, Yu Nv Jian and Xie Huang San clear heat related to the mouth or middle jiao. Qing Wei San is blazing Stomach fire with toothache; Yu Nv Jian is Stomach heat with Yin deficiency; Xie Huang San is latent Spleen-Stomach heat. Gan Lu Yin enriches Yin, clears heat and drains damp for Yin deficiency with damp-heat in the upper jiao — dry mouth, gum swelling and sticky saliva.
Clinical Differentiation
- Gan Lu Yin is used for yin deficiency with lurking heat in the stomach and lung: dry mouth, swollen gums and scant sticky sputum.
- It is distinguished from Qing Wei San and Yu Nu Jian (more yangming fire) and from Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang (dryness without the same lurking heat in the gums).
Safety notes: This formula is moistening and cooling. It is not appropriate for spleen-damp or for yangming excess fire that needs draining.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Gan Lu Yin?
Gan Lu Yin has the actions of nourishing Yin, clearing Heat, regulating Qi, and transforming turbidity. From Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang, it treats “guest Heat” in the Stomach that rises to the gums, mouth, and throat while Yin has already been injured.
Which modern diseases is Gan Lu Yin suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Stomach Yin deficiency with residual Heat or Damp-Heat, including recurrent mouth ulcers, gingivitis or bleeding gums with bad breath, chronic sore throat of Yin-deficiency Heat type, and some red painful eyes that cannot tolerate purely cold formulas.
Is Gan Lu Yin suitable for improving swollen gums, mouth sores, and dry mouth?
For presentations of swollen or bleeding gums, halitosis, mouth or tongue sores, sore throat, dry mouth with residual Heat, a red tongue with little or yellow coating, and a thin rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Yin injury with Stomach Heat — TCM commonly applies Gan Lu Yin as an adjunct. It cannot replace dental or ENT evaluation of infection or ulcerating disease.
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Related Articles
Gan Lu Yin: Classic TCM Formula for Yin Deficiency with Damp-Heat, Mouth Sores & Gum Swelling
Xie Huang San: Classic TCM Formula for Spleen Heat, Mouth Sores, Bad Breath & Thirst
Yu Nu Jian: Classic TCM Formula for Stomach Heat with Yin Deficiency, Toothache & Thirst
Qing Wei San: Classic TCM Formula for Stomach Heat, Toothache, Gum Swelling & Bad Breath
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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.