Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
养阴清肺汤 · Yǎng Yīn Qīng Fèi Tāng
A classical formula originally for diphtheria-type sore throat from Lung Yin deficiency with dryness-heat, with dry painful throat, dry cough and a red scant-coated tongue.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yin-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Nourish Yin, clear Lung heat, resolve toxin, benefit the throat
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Enrich Yin, clear dryness-heat from the Lung and soothe the throat
- Classical Source
- Chong Lou Yu Yao (Zheng Meijian, Qing dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula originally for diphtheria-type sore throat from Lung Yin deficiency with dryness-heat, with dry painful throat, dry cough and a red scant-coated tongue.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for dry painful throat from Lung Yin deficiency with heat — more throat-focused than general Lung-Stomach or Lung-Kidney 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
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
麥冬Mai Dong9g
Ophiopogon Tuber- nourishes yin and clears the lung
玄參Xuan Shen9g
Scrophularia Root- nourishes yin and promotes fluid production
- drains fire and resolves toxins
- improves the condition of the throat
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
貝母Bei Mu6g
Fritillaria Bulb- clears heat and moistens the lung
- dissolves phlegm and dissipates masses
牡丹皮Mu Dan Pi6g
Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Bark- clears heat and cools blood
- dispels stasis and relieves swelling
白芍Bai Shao6g
White Peony Root- boosts yin and nourishes blood
薄荷Bo He3g
Mentha / Peppermint- used in a small amount acrid
- cooling and dispersing dredges the exterior and improves the condition of the throat
Classical Composition
- Rehmanniae Radix (Da Sheng Di) 2 qian (6g)
- Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong) 1.2 qian (9g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 5 fen (3g)
- Scrophulariae Radix (Xuan Shen) 1.5 qian (9g)
- Fritillariae Bulbus (Bei Mu) 8 fen (5g)
- Moutan Cortex (Mu Dan Pi) 8 fen (5g)
- Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bo He) 5 fen (3g)
- Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao) 8 fen (5g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Nourishes yin and clears lung heat
- resolves toxins and improves the condition of the throat.
Indications
- Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang is indicated for diphtheria due to yin deficiency and dryness-heat.
- The symptoms include white, curd-like spots in the throat that are hard to scrape off, a swollen and sore throat, with or without fever at the beginning of the disease, dry nose and lips, with or without coughing, raspy breathing resembling wheezing, a rapid, forceless or thin, rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Diphtheria usually occurs in those with constitutional yin deficiency and internal clumping of heat.
- Dry qi accompanies epidemic toxins that further attack the body and scorch the fluids which results in epidemic toxic heat fuming upward.
- Thereby, lung and kidney yin deficiency may cause deficiency fire flaming upward to the throat.
- In this scenario it is accompanied with epidemic dry-heat toxins attacking upwards and lung qi failing to purify.
- As a result, the patient develops white, curd-like spots in the throat, swollen and sore throat, with or without coughing, raspy breathing resembling wheezing, etc.
- The first volume of《Jade Key to the Secluded Chamber》describes suitable therapeutic strategies “when treating this disorder, make sure the location is the lung and kidney.
- In general one must nourish yin and clear lung heat while the governing strategy is to combine this with acrid, cooling, and dispersing”.
Clinical presentation
- As noted in the first volume of the《Jade Key to the Secluded Chamber》: “this condition usually arises in those with lung and kidney deficiency when they are exposed to prevalent dry qi or take too much acrid and spicy food.” The throat connects with the lung and the shaoyin kidney channel passes through the throat and links with the tongue.
- Dry nose and lips, a rapid, forceless or thin, rapid pulse are typical signs of dryness-heat damaging fluid and deficiency of vital qi with toxin accumulation.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to enrich Yin, clear dryness-heat from the Lung and soothe the throat.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang nourishes Yin and clears Lung dryness for throat disorders. Mai Men Dong Tang nourishes Lung-Stomach Yin with descending. Bai He Gu Jin Tang nourishes Lung-Kidney for dry cough with blood. Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang moistens dryness for dry cough.
Clinical Differentiation
- Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang is commonly used to treat diphtheria caused by yin deficiency and dryness-heat.
- This clinical pattern is marked by white, curd-like spots in the throat that are hard to scrape off, swollen and sore throat, dry nose and lips, rapid, forceless pulse. It is contraindicated to release the exterior when treating diphtheria and especially to induce sweating with acrid-warm medicinals.
- Instructions following the source formula say “if the patient has internal heat or fever, it is not necessary to use medicinals that release the exterior, only use this formula and the heat will be relieved consequently”.
Safety notes: This formula is moistening and cooling. It is not appropriate for wind-cold sore throat or for phlegm-damp.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang?
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang has the actions of nourishing Yin, clearing the Lungs, resolving Toxicity, and benefiting the throat. It is the classic formula for Yin deficiency with Dryness-Heat affecting the Lungs and throat, originally developed for diphtheria-like “white throat” patterns.
Which modern diseases is Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Lung Yin deficiency with Dryness-Heat, including acute or chronic pharyngitis and tonsillitis of Yin-deficiency type, dry cough with scanty sputum, post-radiation throat dryness (such as after treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma), and certain chronic throat irritations with dryness and mild Heat signs.
Is Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang suitable for improving dry, swollen, painful throat with dryness of the nose and lips?
For presentations of sore and swollen throat, possible white membrane or coating that is difficult to remove, dry nose and lips, dry cough or mild respiratory discomfort, a red tongue with little coating, and a thready rapid or forceless rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Yin deficiency with Dryness-Heat in the Lungs — TCM commonly applies Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment of serious throat infections.
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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.