Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang (养阴清肺汤) — Nourish Yin and Clear the Lung Decoction
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1. Overview
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang — "Nourish Yin and Clear the Lung Decoction" — is a classical formula from the Qing dynasty Chong Lou Yu Yao (1838) that nourishes Lung Yin while clearing Heat and toxin from the throat. It was originally formulated for bai hou (diphtheria), a Yin-damaging throat illness with white pseudomembrane. In modern practice it is used for dry throat, hoarseness, dry cough and recurrent throat infections in Yin-deficient constitutions.
2. Composition
| Herb | Role |
|---|---|
| Sheng Di Huang | Chief — nourishes Yin, cools Blood |
| Xuan Shen | Deputy — nourishes Yin, drains Fire, relieves throat |
| Mai Men Dong | Deputy — nourishes Lung Yin |
| Mu Dan Pi | Assistant — cools Blood |
| Bai Shao | Assistant — preserves Yin |
| Bei Mu | Assistant — transforms Phlegm, relieves throat |
| Bo He | Assistant — disperses Wind-Heat from throat |
| Gan Cao | Envoy — harmonises and clears toxin |
3. Indications
- Chronic sore throat with dryness
- Hoarseness and aphonia with Yin deficiency
- Dry persistent cough
- Tonsillitis (chronic, low-grade)
- Recurrent throat infections in Yin-deficient constitution
- Historically: diphtheria with thick membrane
4. How it works
The formula combines the principles of Zeng Ye Tang (Sheng Di, Xuan Shen, Mai Men Dong) for nourishing Yin and generating fluids with the throat-clearing pair of Bei Mu and Bo He. Bai Shao and Mu Dan Pi preserve and cool Blood; Gan Cao harmonises and adds throat-soothing action.
5. Modern applications
Modern ENT clinics in China use Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang for chronic pharyngitis, laryngitis, recurrent tonsillitis and dry-cough syndromes in Yin-deficient patients, particularly singers, teachers and patients on radiotherapy of the head and neck.
6. Cautions
Cold and Yin-nourishing — contraindicated in Spleen Yang deficiency with loose stools, and in acute Wind-Cold sore throat. Not for use as a generic sore-throat remedy. Should be prescribed by a qualified Chinese herbalist.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang as pharmaceutical-grade granules for patients with chronic dry throat, hoarseness and recurrent throat infections fitting the Lung-Yin-deficient pattern. Online Chinese herbal consultations are available. See prices for costs.
