Qin Jiao Bie Jia San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
秦艽鱉甲散 · Qín Jiāo Biē Jiǎ Sǎn
A yin-nourishing formula for wind-consumption with steaming bone and tidal heat.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yin-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Nourish yin, clear deficiency heat
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Nourish yin, clear deficiency heat
- Classical Source
- Wei Sheng Bao Jian (Luo Tianyi, Yuan dynasty)
- Available as Granules
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Formula Overview
A yin-nourishing formula for wind-consumption with steaming bone and tidal heat.
Therapeutic Principle
Selected for wind-consumption with steaming bone and night sweats from yin-blood deficiency.
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
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
柴胡Chai Hu15g
Bupleurum Root- vents heat
青蒿Qing Hao10g
Sweet Wormwood- clears deficiency heat
知母Zhi Mu10g
Anemarrhena Rhizome- nourishes yin and clears heat
當歸Dang Gui10g
Chinese Angelica Root- nourishes blood
烏梅Wu Mei6g
Mume Fruit- astringes yin
Classical Composition
- Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qin Jiao) 15g
- Trionycis Carapax (Bie Jia) 30g
- Lycii Cortex (Di Gu Pi) 15g
- Bupleuri Radix (Chai Hu) 15g
- Artemisiae Annuae Herba (Qing Hao) 10g
- Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhi Mu) 10g
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 10g
- Mume Fructus (Wu Mei) 6g. From Wei Sheng Bao Jian.
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Nourishes yin and clears deficiency heat and steaming bone.
Indications
- Yin-blood deficiency with steaming bone.
- Afternoon tidal fever, night sweats, emaciation, red cheeks, thin rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Yin and blood are deficient, so deficiency heat steams the bone.
- Wind-consumption generates tidal heat.
Clinical presentation
- Steaming bone, afternoon tidal fever, night sweats, emaciation, red cheeks, dry mouth, thin rapid pulse.
Treatment strategy
- Nourish yin and blood, clear deficiency heat, reduce steaming.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Qin Jiao Bie Jia San, Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang and Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan clear deficiency heat. Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang vents residual heat. Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan nourishes kidney yin. This formula nourishes yin-blood and reduces steaming.
Clinical Differentiation
- Used for steaming bone from yin-blood deficiency.
- Key points: afternoon fever, night sweats, emaciation.
- Distinct from excess heat and from residual-heat formulas.
Safety notes: Not appropriate for excess heat or for cold patterns.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Qin Jiao Bie Jia San? Are Qing Gu San and Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang the same?
Qin Jiao Bie Jia San (秦艽鳖甲散) is a classic formula centered on nourishing yin, nourishing blood, clearing heat and eliminating steaming for deficiency consumption with yin and blood deficiency, steaming bone high fever and night sweats. Qing Gu San clears vacuity heat and eliminates steaming bones, leaning to pure yin-deficiency steaming bones without wind. Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang nourishes yin and vents heat, leaning to residual heat in the later stage of warm disease. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Qin Jiao Bie Jia San. Use caution with unresolved exterior pathogen and Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.
What is the composition and traditional use of Qin Jiao Bie Jia San?
Classic composition: Bie Jia (butter-fried), Chai Hu, Di Gu Pi each 30 g; Qin Jiao, Dang Gui, Zhi Mu each 15 g; decocted with Qing Hao and Wu Mei. It acts to nourish yin, nourish blood, clear heat and eliminate steaming. It is used for deficiency consumption with yin and blood deficiency, steaming bone high fever, muscle wasting, red lips and cheeks, fatigue and night sweats. Bie Jia and Zhi Mu nourish yin; Chai Hu and Qing Hao reduce fever; Di Gu Pi clears vacuity heat; Qin Jiao dispels wind; Dang Gui nourishes blood; Wu Mei astringes sweat.
How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Qing Gu San replace it?
Bie Jia is butter-fried; Zhi Mu is raw or wine-fried. Qing Gu San leans to pure clearing of vacuity heat without heavy blood-nourishing and wind-dispelling; it cannot replace the formula by equal weight. Commercial products follow regulated compounding; do not self-modify.
Related Articles
Qin Jiao Bie Jia San: Nourishing Yin and Relieving Bone-Steaming Heat
Zi Yin Jiang Huo Tang: Nourishing Yin and Descending Fire
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Yin Deficiency with Fire, Night Sweats & Hot Flashes
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Residual Heat in Yin, Night Fever & Morning Coolness
Browse all classical formulas →
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.