Yin Qiao San

Honeysuckle & Forsythia Powder

Release Wind-Heat • Clear Heat • Protect Fluids • Support the Exterior

Yin Qiao San is one of the most famous classical formulas for early-stage Wind-Heat invasion. Developed during the Qing dynasty by Wu Ju Tong in Wen Bing Tiao Bian (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases), it represents one of the foundational approaches for treating externally contracted febrile illnesses.

Unlike formulas that warm and disperse Cold, Yin Qiao San is designed for presentations where Heat has already begun affecting the exterior—producing fever, sore throat, cough, thirst, and aversion to heat. It releases the exterior while clearing Heat, allowing the pathogen to resolve without damaging the body’s fluids.

When patients present with the earliest signs of a warm pathogen—especially sore throat, fever, mild cough, and a sense that an illness is beginning—Yin Qiao San is often one of the first formulas practitioners consider.

Beyond traditional applications, this formula has become a staple in modern clinics during seasonal respiratory illness patterns and early-stage inflammatory presentations with Heat signs.

Traditional Indications

• Wind-Heat invasion
• Early-stage febrile illness
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Thirst
• Aversion to heat
• Mild chills
• Headache
• Red eyes
• Exterior Heat patterns

TCM Pattern

Early Wind-Heat Invading the Exterior

Yin Qiao San releases the exterior, clears Heat, relieves toxicity, benefits the throat, vents the pathogen outward, and protects fluids.

Modern Clinical Applications

Many practitioners reach for Yin Qiao San when supporting patients experiencing:

• Early-stage colds with Heat signs
• Sore throat onset
• Fever with cough
• Seasonal respiratory infections
• Throat irritation
• Mild inflammatory respiratory patterns
• Heat-type exterior presentations
• Early viral-like illness patterns
• Red eyes and irritation accompanying fever
• Patients who feel “something coming on” with Heat signs

Its ability to clear Heat while gently supporting the body’s fluids makes it one of the most widely recognized formulas for early-stage warm pathogen presentations.

Ingredients

Jin Yin Hua — 15%
Lian Qiao — 15%
Jie Geng — 10%
Niu Bang Zi — 10%
Bo He — 10%
Lu Gen — 10%
Dan Dou Chi — 7.5%
Jing Jie — 7.5%
Dan Zhu Ye — 7.5%
Gan Cao — 7.5%

Based on classical ratios and standard modifications

Crafted using our signature Two-Cured Decoction™ process—combining a traditional hot water decoction with a secondary high-proof alcohol extraction—to capture both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble herbal constituents for a full-spectrum tincture.

Practitioner Favorites

Aggressive Viral-Style Onset

60% Yin Qiao San + 40% Gan Mao Ling

Excellent when early-stage Wind-Heat symptoms appear suddenly with stronger fever, sore throat, and rapid progression.

Sore Throat with Cough and Eye Irritation

50% Yin Qiao San + 50% Sang Ju Yin

A favorite combination when Wind-Heat affects the Lung with cough, throat discomfort, and irritated or red eyes.

Single Herb Pairings

For further customization, consider adding:

Huang Qin or Ban Lan Gen — when stronger Heat-clearing support is desired.

Xuan Shen — when sore throat is accompanied by Yin deficiency signs, dryness, or prolonged throat irritation.

Shi Gao — when fever is especially high and stronger Heat-clearing support is needed.

Urban Herbs Practitioner Advantage

Every 16 oz amber bottle is designed for fast, customized dispensing in clinical practice. Blend Yin Qiao San with complementary formulas to create individualized prescriptions in minutes—giving your patients the convenience of a liquid tincture while providing your practice with a flexible, space-saving herbal pharmacy.

Double-extracted. Ready to dispense. Built for practitioners.

Why Practitioners Keep Yin Qiao San on the Shelf

Every practitioner eventually encounters the patient who says,

"My throat is starting to hurt, I feel feverish, and I think I am coming down with something."

That patient often reflects the classic Yin Qiao San presentation.

Its strength comes from recognizing the importance of timing. Early intervention during the exterior stage can help address a pathogen before it progresses deeper into the body. Yin Qiao San clears Heat, releases the exterior, and protects fluids during this early phase.

Practitioners frequently reach for Yin Qiao San when supporting:

• Early-stage colds with Heat signs
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Cough
• Seasonal respiratory illness
• Wind-Heat patterns
• Redness and irritation
• Thirst accompanying illness
• Patients with rapid-onset symptoms
• Exterior Heat presentations

Because Urban Herbs tinctures are designed for blending, Yin Qiao San becomes even more versatile when combined with formulas that support stronger Heat clearing, address cough, or provide additional respiratory support.

For many practitioners, it is the formula they consider when the first signs of Heat appear and the body needs help clearing the exterior.

One bottle. A timeless solution for releasing Wind-Heat and restoring balance at the earliest stage of illness.

Practitioner Snapshot

Category

Exterior-Releasing & Heat-Clearing Formulas

Primary Actions

• Releases Wind-Heat
• Clears Heat
• Benefits the Throat
• Vents Pathogens
• Protects Fluids
• Relieves Exterior Symptoms

Best For

• Sore throat
• Early-stage fever
• Cough with Heat signs
• Wind-Heat invasion
• Seasonal respiratory illness
• Thirst with fever
• Red eyes
• Exterior Heat patterns

Pairs Well With

• Sang Ju Yin
• Gan Mao Ling
• Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
• Shuang Huang Lian
• Qing Fei Tang

Clinical Personality

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wind-Heat Release
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sore Throat Support
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Heat Clearing
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Respiratory Support
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Fluid Protection

Clinical Pearl

Yin Qiao San is one of the classic formulas every practitioner associates with the phrase “early Heat invasion.” Its hallmark indication is a patient at the beginning of a warm pathogen pattern—when fever, sore throat, cough, and thirst appear before deeper complications develop.

Its brilliance lies in its balance between clearing and protecting. Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao clear Heat and relieve toxicity, Jie Geng benefits the throat and Lung, Niu Bang Zi disperses Heat from the upper burner, Lu Gen protects fluids, and the remaining herbs help release the pathogen through the exterior.

For practitioners, Yin Qiao San remains an essential formula for the moment when illness first announces itself through heat, inflammation, and throat irritation.