Da Yuan Yin

Da Yuan Yin

From the Treatise on Warm Epidemics

[Composition]

Bing Lang 6 grams, Hou Po 3 grams, Cao Guo 2 grams, Zhi Mu 3 grams, Shao Yao 3 grams, Huang Qin 3 grams, Zhi Gan Cao 1.5 grams

[Usage] Brew in water and consume.

[Indications] Malaria pathogens reside in the membrane of the original organs.

[Indications] Alternating cold and heat, frequent episodes of fever, discomfort in the chest and flanks, irritability and nausea, head heaviness like a burden, a wiry, tight pulse, and a thick, greasy tongue coating.

[Functions] Open the membrane of the original organs, dispel toxins and clear turbidity.

[Formula Explanation] Malaria pathogens are warm epidemics; Wu Youke once noted, "Epidemics are caused by the fierce energies of heaven and earth... entering through the mouth and nose, their host is not confined to the internal organs, nor to the meridians, but resides within the hidden muscles, not far from the surface, near the stomach—a boundary between the exterior and interior, known as the 'horizontal connection to the membrane of the original organs' in the Inner Classic." This shows that warm epidemic pathogens reside in the semi-exterior, semi-interior membrane of the original organs, giving rise to this condition. When pathogenic factors reside in the semi-exterior, alternating cold and heat occur, frequent episodes of fever happen, and the chest and flanks are uncomfortable; irritability and nausea are common. Since warm epidemic pathogens often carry dampness and turbidity, head heaviness like a burden and a thick, greasy tongue coating are also present. In this formula, Cao Guo and Bing Lang disperse qi and break up blockages, Hou Po promotes qi flow and eliminates phlegm; these three herbs open up qi stagnation and dispel dampness and turbidity, reaching directly to the membrane of the original organs, allowing the pathogenic factors to dissipate and quickly leave the membrane—this is why it is called Da Yuan. The source of warm epidemic pathogens is heat; Huang Qin’s bitter and cold properties clear heat in the semi-exterior, while Zhi Gan Cao assists by nourishing yin and calming the wind. Because heat tends to damage yin, Zhi Mu nourishes yin, Bai Shao gathers yin, and together they serve as complementary treatments. Zhi Gan Cao harmonizes all the herbs, acting as an auxiliary to guide and unify the formula.

[Clinical Additions and Subtractions]

① If there is flank pain, hearing loss, alternating cold and heat, and bitter taste in the mouth, this indicates that heat has overflowed into the Shaoyang meridian; add 3 grams of Chai Hu to this formula. If there is pain in the lower back, shoulders, and neck, this indicates that heat has overflowed into the Taiyang meridian; add 3 grams of Qiang Hu to this formula. If there is eye pain, brow bone pain, orbital pain, or dry nose and insomnia, this indicates that heat has overflowed into the Yangming meridian; add 3 grams of Gan Ge to this formula.

② Remove Zhi Mu and Bai Shao from this formula and add Chai Hu, Zhike, Qing Pi, Ji Geng, and He Ye Geng, treating damp-phlegm obstructing the diaphragm, chest and diaphragm fullness, irritability and restlessness, dizziness and a greasy taste in the mouth, coughing up phlegm but not feeling relief, intermittent episodes of malaria, and a coarse tongue coating like accumulated powder. (Common Treatise on Cold Damage)

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[References]

① "Bing Lang can eliminate and break down old phlegm and dampness, clearing the pathogenic factors; it also dispels the miasmas of Lingnan. Hou Po breaks up the stubborn accumulations of pathogenic factors. Cao Guo is pungent and powerful, eliminating the tangled pathogenic factors. Together, these three herbs reach the very roots of the problem, causing the pathogenic factors to dissipate and quickly leave the membrane of the original organs—this is how we achieve Da Yuan." (Treatise on Epidemics)

② "The membrane of the original organs is also known as the 'Mou Yuan,' referring to the space between the pleura and the diaphragm. According to Su Wen's 'On Pain,' 'Cold energy enters the spaces between the intestines and the stomach, beneath the membrane of the original organs.'" (Wang Bing's commentary: 'Membrane refers to the membrane between the diaphragm; original refers to the original of the diaphragm.') (Brief Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

[Commentary] This formula is used for malaria, influenza, and other illnesses.