Yu Nv Jian
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
玉女煎 · Yù Nǚ Jiān
A classical formula for Stomach heat with Yin deficiency, presenting with toothache, gingival swelling, thirst, headache and a preference for cold drinks, with a red tongue.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Stomach Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear Stomach heat, nourish Yin
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Drain Stomach fire while enriching Kidney Yin
- Classical Source
- Jing Yue Quan Shu (Zhang Jingyue, Ming dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for Stomach heat with Yin deficiency, presenting with toothache, gingival swelling, thirst, headache and a preference for cold drinks, with a red tongue.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for toothache and thirst from Stomach heat with underlying Yin deficiency — combining clearing and nourishing, rather than pure fire-clearing or pure Kidney Yin tonification.
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AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
麥冬Mai Dong9g
Ophiopogon Tuber- nourishes yin and clears heat
- promotes fluid production and quenches thirst
知母Zhi Mu6g
Anemarrhena Rhizome- clears heat and nourishes yin with its bitter
- cold
- and moist property
Classical Composition
- Gypsum Fibrosum (Shi Gao) 3-5 qian (9-15g)
- Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shu Di Huang) 3-5 qian or 1 liang (9-15g or 30g)
- Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong) 2 qian (6g)
- Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhi Mu) 1.5 qian (5g)
- Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niu Xi) 1.5 qian (5g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears stomach heat and nourishes kidney yin.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for stomach heat and yin deficiency.
- The symptoms are toothache, headache, loose teeth, gingival bleeding, vexing heat and thirst, a red tongue with a dry yellow coating, xiao ke, and swift digestion with rapid hungering.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This is a pattern of shaoyin deficiency and yangming excess.
- Since the yangming channels go upward to the head and face, excessive heat of yangming stomach attacks upward to the head and face causing toothaches and headaches.
- Heat burns the blood vessels along the stomach channel, which caused gingival bleeding.
- Kidney yin deficiency causes the teeth to become loose.
- The stomach governs the intake of food and drink, excessive stomach heat causes swift digestion with rapid hungering.
- This pattern is caused by the interaction between excessive fire and yin deficiency, with stomach heat as the main cause.
Clinical presentation
- Heat consumes yin and fluids, causing vexing heat, thirst, and a red tongue with a dry yellow coating.
Treatment strategy
- Therefore, the therapeutic method is to clear stomach heat as the primary focus, and nourish kidney yin as the supplementary focus.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Yu Nv Jian clears Stomach fire and nourishes Yin. Qing Wei San more strongly clears pure Stomach fire for toothache. Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan nourish Kidney Yin (with heat-clearing in the former) without the same Stomach-fire focus.
Clinical Differentiation
- Yu Nu Jian is a commonly used formula used to treat toothache, gingival bleeding, and xiao ke caused by stomach heat and yin deficiency.
- This clinical pattern is marked by loosening of the teeth, vexing heat and thirst, red tongue body with dry yellow coating.
Safety notes: Do not use the formula for patients with thin, unformed stool caused by deficiency of the spleen.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Yu Nu Jian?
Yu Nu Jian has the actions of clearing Stomach Heat and nourishing Kidney Yin. It addresses the pattern of Yang Ming (Stomach) excess Fire combined with Shao Yin (Kidney) Yin deficiency, clearing the excess while replenishing the deficient Yin.
Which modern diseases is Yu Nu Jian suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Stomach Heat with Yin deficiency, including gingivitis, periodontitis, stomatitis, glossitis, toothache with gum bleeding or loose teeth, and certain presentations of diabetes (middle Xiao Ke) with thirst and rapid hunger.
Is Yu Nu Jian suitable for improving toothache, bleeding gums, thirst, and headache due to Stomach Heat with Yin deficiency?
For presentations of toothache, loose teeth, gingival bleeding, headache, vexing Heat with thirst, preference for cold drinks, a red tongue with dry yellow coating, and a rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Stomach Fire with underlying Kidney Yin deficiency — TCM commonly applies Yu Nu Jian as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard dental or medical treatment.
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Yu Nu Jian: Classic TCM Formula for Stomach Heat with Yin Deficiency, Toothache & Thirst
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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.