Yī Guàn Jiān

Linking Decoction

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

AboutChinese MedicineCaution/Notes
Health Benefits
For: chronic hepatitis, liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, peptic ulcer
Atributes:
Constituents:
Products
 

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Granules

  

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Pills
Research

Category: Tonify Yin ⌕ 
Subcategory:   Source: Xu Ming Yi Lei A 
Actions: Enrich yin, soothe Liver, spread Liver Qi
Diagnosis
Tongue: red, dry      Pulse: weak, wiry, thin, rapid    Other: 
Patterns: Liver Yin Deficiency[hypochondriac pain], Kidney Yin Deficiency, Liver Qi Stagnation 
Indications: Liver Qi stagnation: chest, hypochondriac pain, hernia pain; Liver stagnation transform into fire and invade Stomach: acid reflux, bitter taste; Yin deficiency heat: dry mouth and throat, red tongue lack of moist, weak or weak wiry pulse [31] • LV/KD Yin deficiency with mild LV Qi stagnation: Hypochondriac and chest pain, epigastric and abdominal distention, acid regurgitation, soreness and weakness of the lower back, dry mouth and throat, irritability, T red, dry, P thin, weak or empty, wiry[35]. Chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, gastritis, peptic ulcer, liver cancer, stomach ulcers, intercostal neuralgia, hypertension (when Yin deficiency is the root)[42]
Contraindications: dampness, phlegm, diarrhea or white greasy tongue coating
Description
Name Variations: Yi Guan Jian , 一贯煎, Linking Decoction,
Herb List: Sheng Di Huang(K) • Gou Qi Zi(M) • Dang Gui(M) • Sha Shen(A) • Mai Dong(A) • Chuan Lian Zi(A)
Commentary: Good for LV/KD Yin Xu with mild LV Qi Yu. Do not use Chai Hu because it can dry yin. It can exacerbate the Yin deficiency.[31] 一贯 refers to the strategy of nourishing Yin to move Qi. While most formulas for stagnation use acrid, moving herbs, this formula uses sweet, cold, and tonifying herbs to "link" and smooth Liver's Qi by addressing the underlying dryness from Yin deficiency.[42]
Related Formulas:
NCCAOM: There are 10 NCCAOM formulas for Yin Deficiency. They are Liù Wèi Dì Huáng Wán, Dū Qì Wán, Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán, Zhī Bǎi Dì Huáng Wán, Zuǒ Guī Wán, Zuǒ Guī Yǐn, Dà Bǔ Yīn Wán, Yī Guàn Jiān, Èr Zhì Wán, and Bǎi Hé Gù Jīn Tāng. • Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is for Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, essence insufficiency, and yin deficiency heat. Particularly useful for Diabetes (Xia Xiao). • Du Qi Wan = Liu Wei Di Huang Wan + Wu Wei Zi. It's the KD/LV Yin deficiency + Lung Yin deficiency, leading to cough/wheezing. • Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan = Liu Wei Di Huang Wan + Zhi Mu + Huang Bai. It’s focused KD/LV deficiency + Yin deficiency fire. • Qi Ju Di Huang Wan = Liu Wei Di Huang Wan + Gou Qi Zi + Ju Hua. LV/KD Yin deficiency + Eye disorders. • Zuo Gui Wan is for severe KD Yin/ Essence deficiency. It is for short term use since it can cause Spleen deficiency and should transition to Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for long term use. • Zuo Gui Yin is less potent form of Zuo Gui Wan. • Da Bu Yin Wan is for severe LV/KD Yin deficiency fire. • Yi Guan Jian is for LV/KD Yin deficiency + mild Liver Qi Stagnation. • Er Zhi Wan is for LV/KD Yin deficiency – particularly with premature graying of hair and insomnia with dream disturbed sleep. It’s made up of two herbs (Nu Zhen Zi, Han Lian Cao). • Bai He Gu Jin Tang is for Kidney and Lung Yin deficiency fire with cough, dry throat, blood laced sputum, internal dryness.
Herbs Cat/Dosage Actions Attributes
Shu Di Huang • Rehmannia •  熟地黄 ♠ Tonify Blood

 

 

 Tonify blood • Nourish Liver and Kidney Yin • Tonify EssenceDao Di: He Nan • Cloying in nature Immunity booster • coagulant • antidiabetic • hepatoprotective • hypotensive • anti-aging • antioxidant • antihistamine • emmenagogue • adrenalcortical
Gou Qi Zi • Goji Berry •  枸杞子 ♥ Tonify Blood Tonify kidneys • Tonify liver • Tonify essence • Moisten lungs • Nourish Yin • Improve eye sight Anti-aging• antimicrobial • anticoagulant • antioxidant • anti-diabetic • hepatoprotective • anti-cancer • hypotensive
Dang Gui • Chinese Angelica •  当归 ♥ Tonify Blood Tonify blood • Move Blood and Qi • Regulate menses • Invigorate blood • Dispel cold • Unblock bowels • Reduce abscess swelling • Alleviate pain • Clear pus • Generate flesh • Moisten intestines phytoestrogen • antispasmodic • cholagogue • antibaterial • antiviral • antiobesity • anti-inflammatory • antifungal • mild laxative • immune system boost • volatile oil inhibits uterine contractions
Sha Shen • Glehnia Root •  北沙參 ♣ Tonify Yin Clear Lung heat • Moisten dryness • Nourish Yin • Generate fluids • Nourish Stomach • Tonify Liver Yin • Tonify Kidney Yin
Mai Men Dong • Ophiopogon Tuber •  麦门冬 ♣ Tonify Yin Nourish Lung yin • Clear Lung heat • Nourish Stomach yin • Generate fluids • Clear Heart • Nourish Heart yin • Reduce irritabilityLilyturf Root antibiotic • increase cardiac output • sedative • reduce tachycardia
Chuan Lian Zi • Si Chuan Chinaberry •  川楝⼦ ♣ Regulate Qi Move Qi • Kills parasites • Treat tinea
♠ King/Chief    ♥ Minister/Deputy     ♣ Assistant     ♦ Envoy
Directions: 
Modifications For
+ Chai Hu + Fo Shou + Bai Shao + Gan Cao Severe hypochondriac pain 31
+ Zuo Jin Wan Severe acid reflux, bitter taste 31
+ Chuan Xiong + Chi Shao + Dan Shen +Bie Jia Lump with fixed pain, dark dry tongue 31
+ Sheng Di Huang + Dang Gui + Mai Dong + Moisten intestine herbs  Constipation 31
+ For Shou + Yan Hu Suo + Bai Shao + Gan Cao Epigastric pain 31
+ Suan Zao Ren + Ye Jiao Teng + He Huan Pi Insomnia 31

Caution

ALERT: Contraindications of each herb - use with caution under these conditions:
Shu Di Huang: Cloying • Pregnancy • Spleen and/or Stomach deficiency • Stagnant phlegm • Stagnant qi • food: onion, garlic, radishes
Gou Qi Zi: Autoimmune disorder • External excess heat • Loose stools • High fever • Pregnancy • Spleen deficiency • Spleen dampness • Diarrhea • Allergic to tobacco • Peaches • Tomatoes • Nuts • Diabetes medication • Blood pressure medication
Dang Gui: Autoimmune disorder • Pregnancy • Blood thinner drugs (Wafarin) • Diarrhea • Yin deficiency with heat • Dampness abdominal distention
Sha Shen:
Mai Men Dong: Diarrhea from middle jiao cold and deficiency • sedatives • cough from wind cold or damp phlegm
Chuan Lian Zi:

Notes

 

Bibliography: [3], [8], [9], [14]

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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