Yin Qiao San — Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Conditions treated
5. Cautions

Overview

Yin Qiao San — Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder — is the most important Chinese herbal formula for the early stage of Wind-Heat invasion of the Wei (defensive) level, characterised by fever, sore throat, headache and thirst. Created by the Qing Dynasty physician Wu Jutong and recorded in his Wen Bing Tiao Bian (1798 CE), it is the cornerstone formula of the Warm Disease (Wen Bing) school and has become one of the most widely used Chinese herbal formulas for acute infectious illness worldwide. Its companion formula, Sang Ju Yin, is preferred when cough is the dominant symptom; Yin Qiao San is preferred when fever and sore throat predominate.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Wind-Heat attacking the Wei (defensive) level, characterised by: fever (with slight aversion to cold or wind), headache, sore and swollen throat, thirst, a thin yellow tongue coating, and a floating, rapid pulse. The formula targets the very beginning of a febrile illness and is most effective when taken at the first sign of a cold or flu.

Key herbs

1. Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera japonica flower / honeysuckle) — the principal herb; clears Heat and resolves Fire Toxin; disperses Wind-Heat from the exterior; the most important herb in TCM for febrile illness and infection
2. Lian Qiao (Forsythia suspensa fruit) — clears Heat and resolves toxicity; disperses Wind-Heat; works synergistically with Jin Yin Hua as the “golden pair” for infections
3. Bo He (Mentha haplocalyx herb) — disperses Wind-Heat from the exterior and soothes the throat
4. Jing Jie (Schizonepeta tenuifolia herb) — releases the exterior and expels Wind; assists in opening the pores to vent Heat outward
5. Dan Dou Chi (Glycine max soybean, prepared) — releases the exterior and clears irritability from Heat
6. Niu Bang Zi (Arctium lappa fruit) — disperses Wind-Heat, benefits the throat and resolves toxicity
7. Jie Geng (Platycodon grandiflorus root) — opens the Lung and throat, stops cough and directs herbs upward
8. Lu Gen (Phragmites communis rhizome) — clears Heat and generates fluids to address thirst
9. Zhu Ye (Phyllostachys nigra leaf) — clears Heat and calms irritability; promotes urination to drain Heat
10. Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis root) — harmonises the formula and soothes the throat

Conditions treated

1. Acute colds and flu in the early stage — the formula’s primary indication; most effective at the very first signs of a Wind-Heat infection
2. Acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis with fever and severe sore throat
3. Early-stage measles, chickenpox and other exanthematous diseases before the rash fully erupts
4. Acute allergic reactions with fever, sore throat and heat symptoms
5. Post-COVID immune vulnerability — used preventively and in early acute illness

Most effective at the very beginning of illness. Best taken as a cold or granule drink at the first sign of infection. Not suitable for Wind-Cold patterns (chills predominating over fever, no thirst).

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.