Jin Ling Zi San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
金鈴子散 · Jīn Líng Zǐ Sàn
A focused classical pair for hypochondriac and abdominal pain from Liver Qi constraint with heat and blood stasis.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Qi-Regulating Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Qi Stagnation
- Primary Function
- Spread Liver Qi, invigorate blood, stop pain
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Spread constrained Liver Qi and move blood to relieve pain
- Classical Source
- Classical TCM formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A focused classical pair for hypochondriac and abdominal pain from Liver Qi constraint with heat and blood stasis.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for focused hypochondriac or lower-abdominal pain from Liver Qi constraint with heat and mild blood stasis, when a full Qi-regulating formula is not required.
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
Classical Composition
- Fructus Toosendan (Chuan Lian Zi/Jin Ling Zi) 1 liang (30g)
- Corydalis Rhizoma (Yan Hu Suo) 1 liang (30g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Soothes the liver qi
- drain the liver fire
- invigorates blood and relieves pain.
Indications
- Jin Ling Zi San is indicated for the pattern of liver constraint transforming into fire.
- The symptoms are chest, abdominal, and hypochondriac pain of sudden onset and cease; bitter taste in the mouth, painful menstruation, and shan qi-hernia pain.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red and the coating is yellow. The pulse is wiry and rapid.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- The liver stores the blood and governs the free flow of qi.
- It prefers free flow.
- Its channel distributes into rib region, reaches the lower abdomen, and connects with the genital organs.
- Liver qi stagnation leads to qi disorders and problems with blood circulation.
- Hence, the chest, abdomen or hypochondriac pain suddenly occurs and ceases.
- The condition is worsened with emotional changes.
- As qi constraint transforms into fire, the symptoms include a bitter taste in the mouth.
Treatment strategy
- The therapeutic method is to soothe the liver qi, drain the liver fire, invigorate blood, and relieves pain.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Jin Ling Zi San, Xiao Yao San, Chai Hu Shu Gan San and Shi Xiao San all relieve constrained pain. Xiao Yao San and Chai Hu Shu Gan San spread Liver Qi more broadly; Shi Xiao San strongly invigorates blood for stabbing stasis pain. Jin Ling Zi San is a focused two-herb pair for hypochondriac or abdominal pain with heat and stasis.
Clinical Differentiation
- Jin Ling Zi San is commonly indicated for the pattern of chest, abdominal, and hypochondriac pain due to liver constraint transforming into fire.
- It is also the basic formula for treating all kinds of pain due to qi and blood stagnation.
- This clinical pattern is marked by chest, abdominal, and hypochondriac pain, bitter taste in the mouth, yellow coating, wiry, rapid pulse.
Safety notes: Chuan Lian Zi is moving and slightly cold. This formula is not appropriate for deficiency-cold pain and is used with caution in pregnancy.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Jin Ling Zi San?
Jin Ling Zi San has the actions of spreading Liver Qi, clearing Heat, invigorating Blood, and stopping pain. It is a two-herb powder of Chuan Lian Zi (Jin Ling Zi) and Yan Hu Suo for constraint pain that has already generated Heat.
Which modern conditions is Jin Ling Zi San suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Liver Qi constraint with Heat and mild stasis, including hypochondriac or epigastric distending pain worse with emotion, some dysmenorrhea of this pattern, and intermittent hernia-like or testicular pain of Liver-channel constraint after medical causes have been assessed.
Is Jin Ling Zi San suitable for improving rib-side pain that worsens with irritation?
For presentations of distending or burning pain in the chest, hypochondrium, or lower abdomen that comes and goes with mood, a bitter taste, a red tongue with thin yellow coating, and a wiry rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Liver constraint with Heat — TCM commonly applies this powder as an adjunct. Sudden severe abdominal or chest pain needs urgent medical evaluation.
Related Products
Nong's Jin Ling Zi San (Melia Toosendan Powder) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Jin Ling Zi San: Classic TCM Formula for Liver Qi Stagnation, Rib-Side Pain & Intermittent Pain
Shi Xiao San: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Stasis, Menstrual Pain & Fixed Abdominal Pain
Xiao Yao San: Classic TCM Formula for Liver Qi Stagnation, Stress & Mood Balance
Chai Hu Shu Gan San: Classic TCM Formula for Liver Qi Stagnation & Rib-Side Pain
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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.