Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang: A Traditional Chinese Herbal Remedy for Lung and Throat Health

Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, or Nourish Yin and Clear Lung Decoction, is a classic Chinese herbal formula from the Chong Lou Yu Jian (Jade Key to the Tower). Renowned for nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, and relieving sore throat, it effectively treats throat and lung conditions caused by yin deficiency and dryness, such as diphtheria or chronic pharyngitis.

This gentle remedy soothes irritation, clears toxins, and restores respiratory health. This article explores its ingredients, benefits, modern uses, dietary support, and precautions in a clear, approachable way, using common plant names.

Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang /養陰清肺湯, 5:1 Concentrated Granules

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Ingredients of Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang

Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang combines eight herbs, each contributing to its therapeutic effects:

• Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia, 6g): Nourishes yin and clears heat.

• Mai Dong (Ophiopogon, 9g): Moistens the lungs and calms irritability.

• Xuan Shen (Scrophularia, 9g): Clears heat and nourishes yin.

• Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria, 5g): Relieves cough and clears phlegm.

• Mu Dan Pi (Peony Bark, 5g): Clears heat and promotes blood flow.

• Bai Shao (White Peony, 5g): Nourishes yin and soothes pain.

• Bo He (Mint, 3g): Clears heat and relieves throat discomfort.

• Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice, 3g): Harmonizes the formula and detoxifies.

Preparation: Boil the herbs in water, strain, and take the decoction twice daily. Modern methods may use pre-made pills or powders, dosed as prescribed by a practitioner.

Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang

How the Herbs Work Together

Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang follows the traditional Chinese medicine principles of monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy:

• Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia): The primary herb (monarch), it nourishes yin, clears heat, and cools the blood to address dryness and toxins.

• Mai Dong (Ophiopogon) and Xuan Shen (Scrophularia): Minister herbs, they moisten the lungs, nourish yin, and clear heat to support the monarch’s actions.

• Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria), Mu Dan Pi (Peony Bark), and Bai Shao (White Peony): Assistant herbs, they relieve cough, clear phlegm, promote blood flow, and soothe dryness-related discomfort.

• Bo He (Mint) and Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice): Envoy herbs, they guide the formula to the lungs and throat, clear heat, and harmonize the herbs for gentle action.

This synergistic blend nourishes yin, clears heat, and restores lung and throat health.

Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang

Benefits of Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang

• Soothes Sore Throat: Relieves pain and swelling in the throat.

• Moistens Dryness: Eases dry nose, lips, and lungs for comfort.

• Clears Toxins: Reduces inflammation and white spots in the throat.

• Supports Lung Health: Promotes clear breathing and reduces cough.

Pathogenesis

Diphtheria and similar conditions stem from lung and kidney yin deficiency, where insufficient yin fluids allow virtual fire to rise. External dryness, heat, or epidemic toxins exacerbate this, burning body fluids and inflaming the throat.

The lungs, connected to the throat, lose their clearing function, leading to white spots, soreness, and wheezing. Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang nourishes yin, clears heat, and detoxifies to restore balance.

Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang is widely used in modern medicine Throat infections

Modern Applications

Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang is widely used in modern medicine for:

• Throat infections: Treats acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis with sore throat and dryness.

• Cancer support: Alleviates radiotherapy side effects in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, improving quality of life.

• Respiratory conditions: Manages chronic cough or throat irritation due to yin deficiency.

Pharmacological research highlights its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects, making it effective against infections and inflammation.

Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang /養陰清肺湯, 5:1 Concentrated Granules

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Dietary Support

Pairing Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang with dietary remedies can enhance its effects:

• Adenophora, Polygonatum, Lily, and Fig Soup: Soak 10g adenophora, 10g polygonatum, and 10g dried lily for 30 minutes. Boil lean pork slices, skim foam, and combine with herbs, 5 figs, and 1 piece of dried tangerine peel. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, add rock sugar to taste, and serve. This nourishes yin, moistens lungs, and refreshes.

• Ophiopogon and Pear Soup: Boil 10g ophiopogon with 1 sliced pear and rock sugar for 20 minutes. This moistens the lungs and soothes the throat.

• Fritillaria Porridge: Cook 5g fritillaria powder with 100g rice into porridge. Eat daily to relieve cough and clear phlegm.

These recipes complement the formula’s yin-nourishing and heat-clearing effects, aiding recovery.

Precautions

Use Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang cautiously:

• Contraindications: Avoid in cases of excess heat, dampness, or spleen deficiency with loose stools. Not suitable for throat issues unrelated to yin deficiency.

• Dietary restrictions: Avoid raw, cold, spicy, or greasy foods during treatment.

• Side effects: Overuse may cause mild bloating due to its nourishing nature.

• Professional guidance: Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to ensure proper syndrome differentiation and avoid drug interactions.

• Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight. Do not use expired medicine.

If discomfort occurs, stop use and consult a doctor.

Conclusion

Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang is a time-tested Chinese herbal formula that nourishes yin, clears heat, and relieves throat and lung discomfort. Its carefully balanced herbs effectively treat sore throat, dry cough, and diphtheria-like symptoms caused by yin deficiency and dryness.

Modern applications for tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and cancer support highlight its versatility, backed by research on its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. With proper use, dietary support like Adenophora and Lily Soup, and professional guidance, Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang can restore respiratory health and improve well-being.

Chinese Name	養陰清肺湯
Phonetic	Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
English Name	Yin-Nourishing and Lung-Clearing Decoction
Classification	Dryness-moistening formulas
Source	《Jade Key to the Secluded Chamber》Zhong Lou Yu Yao《重樓玉鑰》
Combination	Rehmanniae Radix (Da Sheng Di) 2 qian (6g), Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong) 1.2 qian (9g), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 5 fen (3g), Scrophulariae Radix (Xuan Shen) 1.5 qian (9g), Fritillariae Bulbus (Bei Mu) 8 fen (5g), Moutan Cortex (Mu Dan Pi) 8 fen (5g), Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bo He) 5 fen (3g), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao) 8 fen (5g)
Method	Prepare the ingredients as a decoction. For an average case, take one dose daily and for a serious case, take two doses daily.
Action	Nourishes yin and clears lung heat, resolves toxins and improves the condition of the throat.
Indication	Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang is indicated for diphtheria due to yin deficiency and dryness-heat. The symptoms include white, curd-like spots in the throat that are hard to scrape off, a swollen and sore throat, with or without fever at the beginning of the disease, dry nose and lips, with or without coughing, raspy breathing resembling wheezing, a rapid, forceless or thin, rapid pulse.
Pathogenesis	Diphtheria usually occurs in those with constitutional yin deficiency and internal clumping of heat. Dry qi accompanies epidemic toxins that further attack the body and scorch the fluids which results in epidemic toxic heat fuming upward. As noted in the first volume of the《Jade Key to the Secluded Chamber》: “this condition usually arises in those with lung and kidney deficiency when they are exposed to prevalent dry qi or take too much acrid and spicy food.” The throat connects with the lung and the shaoyin kidney channel passes through the throat and links with the tongue. Thereby, lung and kidney yin deficiency may cause deficiency fire flaming upward to the throat. In this scenario it is accompanied with epidemic dry-heat toxins attacking upwards and lung qi failing to purify. As a result, the patient develops white, curd-like spots in the throat, swollen and sore throat, with or without coughing, raspy breathing resembling wheezing, etc. Dry nose and lips, a rapid, forceless or thin, rapid pulse are typical signs of dryness-heat damaging fluid and deficiency of vital qi with toxin accumulation. The first volume of《Jade Key to the Secluded Chamber》describes suitable therapeutic strategies “when treating this disorder, make sure the location is the lung and kidney. In general one must nourish yin and clear lung heat while the governing strategy is to combine this with acrid, cooling, and dispersing”.
Application	1. Essential pattern differentiation Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang is commonly used to treat diphtheria caused by yin deficiency and dryness-heat. This clinical pattern is marked by white, curd-like spots in the throat that are hard to scrape off, swollen and sore throat, dry nose and lips, rapid, forceless pulse. It is contraindicated to release the exterior when treating diphtheria and especially to induce sweating with acrid-warm medicinals. Instructions following the source formula say “if the patient has internal heat or fever, it is not necessary to use medicinals that release the exterior, only use this formula and the heat will be relieved consequently”. 2. Modern applications This formula is commonly used in the following biomedically defined disorders when the patient shows signs of yin deficiency and dryness-heat: acute tonsillitis, acute pharyngitis, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.