Yi Guan Jian
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
一貫煎 · Yī Guàn Jiān
A classical formula for Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency with Liver Qi constraint, hypochondriac pain and dry mouth.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yin-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Enrich Yin, spread Liver Qi
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Nourish Liver-Kidney Yin while gently spreading constrained Liver Qi
- Classical Source
- Ming-Qing classical formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency with Liver Qi constraint, hypochondriac pain and dry mouth.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for hypochondriac pain from Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency with mild Qi constraint, rather than pure Liver constraint, cramping, or Kidney Yin deficiency without Liver signs.
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
枸杞子Gou Qi Zi12g
Goji Berry / Lycium Fruit- supplements blood and enriches essence
沙參Sha Shen9g
Glehnia / Adenophora Root- supplements yin and promotes fluid production
麥冬Mai Dong9g
Ophiopogon Tuber- supplements yin and moistens the lung
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
當歸Dang Gui9g
Chinese Angelica Root- supplements blood and invigorates blood
川楝子Chuan Lian Zi6g
Toosendan Fruit- soothes the liver
- drains heat
- regulates qi and relieves pain
Classical Composition
- Glehniae Radix (Bei Sha Shen) 9g
- Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong) 9g
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui Shen) 9g
- Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di Huang) 18-30g
- Lycii Fructus (Gou Qi Zi) 9-18g
- Toosendan Fructus (Chuan Lian Zi) 4.5g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Enriches yin and soothes the liver.
Indications
- Yi Guan Jian is appropriate for patterns of liver-kidney yin deficiency with liver qi constraint characterized by pain in the chest, abdomen, and hypochondriac regions, acid regurgitation, bitter taste, dry mouth and throat, a dry, red tongue, and a thready, weak or weak, wiry pulse.
- This formula is also applied for shan qi (hernia).
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- The liver stores the blood and governs the free flow of qi.
- It is yin in form but yang in function.
- Wood prefers to be unconstrained and hates to be depressed.
- Liver-kidney yin and blood deficiency fail to supplement the liver and cause liver constraint, which harms the stomach.
- The symptoms include pain of the chest, abdomen, and hypochondriac regions, acid swallowing, and bitter taste.
- Long-term liver-qi constraint causes shan qi and masses.
- The treatment principle is to supplement yin and blood and to soften and soothe the liver.
Clinical presentation
- Yin deficiency fails to ascend and leads to symptoms of dry mouth and throat, and a dry, red tongue.
- Yin and blood deficiency leads to insufficient blood in the vessels and cause the pulse to be thready and weak or deficient and wiry.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to nourish Liver-Kidney Yin while gently spreading constrained Liver Qi.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Yi Guan Jian, Xiao Yao San, Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan address Liver constraint or Yin deficiency. Xiao Yao San spreads Liver Qi with mild tonification; Shao Yao Gan Cao softens the Liver for cramping; Liu Wei tonifies Kidney Yin. Yi Guan Jian enriches Liver-Kidney Yin while gently spreading constrained Liver Qi for hypochondriac pain with Yin deficiency.
Clinical Differentiation
- Yi Guan Jian serves as a common formula used for abdominal and hypochondriac pain due to yin deficiency and qi stagnation.
- This clinical pattern is marked by chest pain, hypochondriac pain, acid swallowing, bitter taste, dry, red tongue, weak, wiry pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is focused on supplementation. It circulates the invisible qi. However, it is unable to eliminate the visible evils. The enriching and cloying medicinals in this formula are not suitable for application in cases of phlegm and fluid retention with a white, greasy coating and a deep, wiry pulse.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Yi Guan Jian?
Yi Guan Jian has the actions of nourishing Yin and soothing the Liver. It treats hypochondriac pain and related constraint when the root is Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency rather than simple Qi stagnation or Blood deficiency alone.
Which modern diseases is Yi Guan Jian suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency with Liver constraint, including chronic hypochondriac or rib-side discomfort of Yin-deficiency type, reflux or acid regurgitation with a dry mouth, some chronic hepatitis or gastritis presentations of this pattern, and dry throat with constraint in Yin-deficient patients.
Is Yi Guan Jian suitable for improving rib-side pain with dry mouth and a thin pulse?
For presentations of dull or burning hypochondriac pain, dry mouth and throat, acid reflux or bitter taste, possible dry stools, a red tongue with little coating, and a thin wiry or thin rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Yin deficiency with Liver constraint — TCM commonly applies Yi Guan Jian as an adjunct. It cannot replace evaluation of liver, gallbladder, or gastric disease.
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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.