Yu Quan Wan — Jade Spring Pill

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Overview
TCM pattern
Key herbs
Formula actions
Conditions treated
Comparisons with related formulas
Modifications
Cautions

Overview

Yu Quan Wan — the “Jade Spring Pill” — is a classical formula for Yin deficiency causing intense thirst, particularly in shang xiao (upper xiao ke / upper-burner diabetes-like syndrome). The name evokes the image of an inexhaustible spring of jade-clear water restoring the body’s parched fluids.

It is a simpler, more focused formula than Zhang Xichun’s Yu Ye Tang — five Yin-nourishing and fluid-generating herbs, suitable for patients whose pattern is purely Yin-deficient without significant Qi deficiency or fluid leakage. Yu Quan Wan can be used as monotherapy for mild presentations or combined with stronger formulas in established diabetes.

Modern research on Tian Hua Fen, Ge Gen and the formula as a whole suggests glucose-lowering effects, increased insulin sensitivity and reduction of HbA1c when used as an adjunct to conventional diabetes care over 3–6 months.

I prescribe Yu Quan Wan as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Yu Quan Wan is prescribed for Lung and Stomach Yin deficiency with empty Heat:

Intense thirst — the cardinal sign; drinking does not satisfy
Dry mouth and throat
Polyuria — frequent urination, often clear
Dry, cracked tongue with peeled coat
Mild constipation with dry stools
Mild fatigue (not as severe as in Yu Ye Tang pattern)
Mild night sweats
Dry, itchy skin
Tongue — red, dry, possibly with cracks; little or peeled coat
Pulse — thin, slightly rapid

The pattern arises in early diabetes (particularly upper xiao ke), recovery from febrile illness with prominent dryness, dehydration in older adults, after antibiotics, in dry climates and as a constitutional Yin-deficient picture.

Key herbs

Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes kirilowii root) — generates fluids and clears Heat; the chief herb for thirst
Ge Gen (kudzu root, Pueraria lobata) — raises Spleen Yang and generates fluids in the upper body
Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus) — nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin
Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis) — astringes fluid leakage; pairs Yin with Qi
Gan Cao — harmonises and tonifies Qi

Formula actions

Generates fluids and stops thirst
Nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin
Astringes leaking fluids
Clears empty Heat from the upper burner

Conditions treated

Type 2 diabetes with prominent thirst pattern (shang xiao / upper xiao ke) — see type 2 diabetes
Pre-diabetes with prominent dryness
Recovery from febrile illness with lingering thirst and dryness
Dehydration in older adults
Dry mouth syndrome and Sjögren’s syndrome — alongside conventional care
Hyperthyroidism with prominent thirst and weight loss
Chronic atrophic gastritis with reduced acid and dry mouth
Post-chemotherapy dry mouth and Yin depletion
Diabetes insipidus with profuse urination and thirst

Comparisons with related formulas

Yu Ye Tang — for Qi and Yin deficiency with fatigue and Ji Nei Jin to transform food. Better for established diabetes.
Yi Wei Tang — for Stomach Yin deficiency with hunger and no appetite. Less focused on thirst.
Sheng Mai San — for Qi and Yin deficiency from heat damage with fatigue and breathlessness.
Sang Xing Tang — for cool-dryness in autumn affecting the Lung.

Modifications

For pronounced thirst, increase Tian Hua Fen and add Shi Hu and Sheng Di
For Spleen Qi deficiency overlay (fatigue), add Huang Qi and Shan Yao (move toward Yu Ye Tang)
For lower xiao ke pattern (Kidney involvement, frequent urination), combine with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
For Damp-Heat overlay, add Cang Zhu and Huang Lian
For diabetic eye changes, add Gou Qi Zi and Ju Hua