Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang — Maidservant from Yue Decoction plus Atractylodes

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Comparisons with related formulas
7. Modifications
8. Cautions

Overview

Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang is a modification of Yue Bi Tang by adding Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), also from Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue. The addition of Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen’s ability to transform Damp and adds the formula’s effect on the deeper Damp pattern in the muscles, joints and limbs.

This makes the formula useful for the picture of wind-water edema combined with damp arthritis — hot, swollen, painful joints with whole-body Damp signs and surface signs.

I prescribe Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang is prescribed for wind-water with damp accumulation:

• Edema — particularly of the face, eyelids and lower limbs
• Body heaviness
• Hot, swollen joints
• Mild fever, no sweating
• Thirst
• Reduced urination
• Tongue — red, slightly swollen, yellow greasy coat
• Pulse — floating, slippery, rapid

Key herbs

1. Ma Huang — chief; releases surface and promotes urination
2. Shi Gao (large dose) — clears interior Heat
3. Bai Zhu — tonifies Spleen and dries Damp
4. Sheng Jiang, Da Zao, Gan Cao — harmonise

Formula actions

1. Releases the surface and disperses wind-water
2. Clears interior Heat
3. Drains Damp
4. Tonifies Spleen to support fluid transformation

Conditions treated

1. Acute rheumatoid arthritis flare with damp-heat — see rheumatoid arthritis
2. Acute gout with red, hot, swollen joints
3. Acute reactive arthritis
4. Acute nephritis with prominent body heaviness
5. Hot, swollen ankle from prolonged standing
6. Pitting edema with body heaviness
7. Acute psoriatic arthritis flare

Comparisons with related formulas

• Yue Bi Tang — for wind-water without prominent body heaviness or damp.
• Bai Hu Jia Gui Zhi Tang — for Damp-Heat joint pain without surface signs.
• Xuan Bi Tang — for damp-heat joint obstruction.

Modifications

• For severe joint pain, add Yi Yi Ren and Cang Zhu
• For prominent edema, add Fu Ling and Ze Xie
• For prominent Heat, increase Shi Gao

Cautions

Contains Ma Huang. See Yue Bi Tang cautions — same restrictions apply.

Acute monoarthritis must be assessed medically to exclude septic arthritis, crystal arthritis and inflammatory arthritis — emergency referral for severe acute joint inflammation with fever.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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