🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Yiyi Jian consists of raw Rehmannia glutinosa, Lycium barbarum, Adenophora stricta, Ophiopogon japonicus, Angelica sinensis, and Chaenomeles speciosa. Raw Rehmannia primarily nourishes liver and kidney yin and blood; Ophiopogon japonicus, Adenophora stricta, Lycium barbarum, and Angelica sinensis supplement yin, nourish blood, generate body fluids, and soothe the liver; a small amount of Chaenomeles speciosa disperses stagnation and clears heat as auxiliary. Combined, the formula has the functions of nourishing yin, soothing the liver, relieving depression, and unblocking collaterals. Modern pharmacological studies reveal that Yiyi Jian has analgesic, sedative, heat-clearing, cough-suppressing, and expectorant effects, enabling its application in multiple diseases. Examples include:
1. Chronic Hepatitis
Suitable for yin deficiency with liver stagnation type: characterized by rib pain, dizziness, red tongue with little moisture and scant coating, fine rapid pulse. If blood stasis is present, replace Angelica sinensis with Danggui Wei, add Sanqi powder (mixed), Frankincense, Myrrh; for gingival bleeding, add White Reed Root, Crape Myrtle Leaf; for epigastric distension, add sprouted wheat, fermented three-fruit, stir-fried Citrus aurantium; for severe insomnia, add stir-fried Ziziphus spinosa, raw Oyster shell; for bitter mouth and dryness, add wine-processed Coptis chinensis, Gastrodia elata; for elevated transaminases or persistent elevation, add Northern Schisandra fruit, Gentiana scabra; for splenomegaly, add Softshell Turtle Shell, Salvia miltiorrhiza. Also applicable in late-stage liver cirrhosis and other liver diseases with liver yin deficiency.
2. Gastric Diseases
For gastric ulcers due to gastric yin deficiency: typical symptoms include burning epigastric pain, hunger-like discomfort, restlessness, insomnia, smooth red tongue with little coating, wiry fine pulse. Treatment should focus on nourishing yin and strengthening the stomach. Use this formula with modifications. For excessive gastric acid, add Sepia officinalis, Calcined Oyster Shell; if blood stasis exists, replace Angelica sinensis with Danggui Wei, add Peach Kernel, Safflower; for epigastric distension, add sprouted wheat, stir-fried Citrus aurantium, Sandalwood; for bitter mouth, add wine-processed Coptis chinensis; for qi reversal, add Hematite, Pinellia ternata, Inula flower. Adding Prunus mume and Hedyotis diffusa also treats chronic atrophic gastritis.
3. Neurosis
Patients with neurosis presenting signs of yin deficiency and liver stagnation can use this formula to nourish yin and relieve depression. For insomnia, add Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ziziphus spinosa, Platycladus orientalis seed; for insomnia with palpitations, add Coptis chinensis, Cinnamomum cassia; for seminal emission or nocturnal emission, add Raw Dragon Bone, Raw Oyster Shell; for irritability and anger, add Mimosa Flower, Calamus; for globus hystericus, add Thickened Magnolia Bark, Pinellia ternata.
4. Menstrual Disorders
Women with yin blood deficiency and internal heat often experience irregular menstruation, delayed or missed periods, accompanied by hot hands and feet, bitter mouth, dryness, irritability, rib and abdominal distension, red tongue with little coating, wiry fine pulse. This formula can be used. If there are ecchymoses on the tongue or a stagnant pulse, add Peach Kernel, Safflower, Salvia miltiorrhiza; for severe cases, add Water Leech; for hot hands and feet and night sweats, add Lycium barbarum root bark, Cortex Moutan; for epigastric distension, add Wheat Sprouts, Prepared Cyperus rotundus; for severe insomnia, add stir-fried Ziziphus spinosa, Salvia miltiorrhiza.
5. Hypertension
In a certain stage of hypertension, yin deficiency with liver stagnation may present with dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth and bitter taste, irritability, tinnitus, insomnia, red tongue with little coating, wiry fine rapid pulse. This formula can be used. For severe dizziness, add Uncaria rhynchophylla, Concha Strombus; for kidney deficiency and lower back pain with weak pulse, add Morinda officinalis, Eucommia ulmoides; for dry, red eyes, add Chrysanthemum, Prunella vulgaris, Cassia seed; for dry mouth and bitterness, add Scutellaria baicalensis, wine-processed Coptis chinensis, Gastrodia elata; for severe insomnia, add Mimosa Flower, stir-fried Ziziphus spinosa.
6. Tuberculosis
For pulmonary tuberculosis with cough without phlegm, minimal phlegm, or blood-tinged sputum, chest and rib distension, tidal fever, night sweats, dry throat and mouth, insomnia, vivid dreams, red tongue with scant coating, fine rapid pulse—indicating lung-kidney yin deficiency with liver stagnation—this formula can be modified accordingly. For dry, yellow phlegm, reduce Lycium barbarum, add Fritillaria thunbergii, Phlegm Star, Bamboo Sap; for poor appetite and abdominal distension, add Wheat Sprouts, Chicken Internal Gold, Fermented Rice; for blood-tinged sputum or hemoptysis, add White Agaric, Donkey-hide Gelatin, Sanqi Powder; for intense fever and thirst, add Raw Gypsum (discontinue when fever subsides), Tianhua Fen; for heavy night sweats, add Ephedra root, Floating Wheat; for lung cavities, add White Agaric, Cordyceps sinensis, Lily.
7. Central Retinopathy
For cases of yin deficiency and liver stagnation, use this formula with added Honeycomb Flower, White Peony, Cassia Seed, Curcuma. Typically, improvement occurs after 10–15 doses, and treatment should continue for 1–2 months.
8. Dryness Symptoms After Radiotherapy in Gynecologic Tumors
After radiotherapy for cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, endometrial cancer, or ovarian malignancies, women may experience vaginal dryness and pain. This formula can be combined with Cornus officinalis, Hedyotis diffusa, Half Branch Lotus, and Salvia miltiorrhiza for treatment. Similarly, it is effective for dry mouth, dry tongue, irritability, insomnia, and poor appetite following radiation therapy for other tumors, all manifestations of yin deficiency.