A "yin-tonic with heat-clearing" variation of Liuwei Dihuang Wan, best understood as the six-ingredient base formula with two "draining fire" herbs added to address pronounced "yin deficiency with fire" patterns.
Cultural reference - how this formula has been discussed in Chinese medical tradition. Not medical advice.
Background & origin
Finalized in the Qing dynasty compendium "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (《医宗金鉴》) as one of the "Four Yin-Tonic Companions" (四味地黄丸系列) of Liuwei Dihuang Wan. In Japan it is sold as Chimpi-jiogan (知柏地黄丸) primarily by Kracie and JPS as an OTC remedy for night sweats, hot flashes, and oral dryness. In Korea it appears as Jibaek-jihwang-hwan (지백지황환) in the Kyungdong hanbang line.
From the source text
This page is cultural documentation, not medical advice.
From the source text · 卷一·删补名医方论·六味地黄丸方论附知柏地黄丸
Classical text
六味地黄丸加知母、黄柏，名知柏地黄丸。治阴虚火旺，骨蒸劳热，虚烦盗汗，口干咽痛，耳鸣遗精，小便赤涩。
Modern Chinese rendering
在六味地黄丸基础上加知母、黄柏两味苦寒清热之品，是为知柏地黄丸。用于阴虚火旺所致的骨蒸劳热、虚烦盗汗、口干咽痛、耳鸣遗精、小便赤涩。知柏地黄丸是《医宗金鉴》"六味地黄丸系列"中"补阴兼泻火"思路的代表性方剂，其与知柏地黄片同方不同剂：丸剂"炼蜜为丸"，缓释缓效，更适合阴虚火旺日久、症状不剧烈、需较长期间断服用的慢性调养场景；片剂则释放快、剂量直观，更适合症状较明显、需短期集中干预的场合。整体上，它体现了中医"壮水之主，以制阳光"治法在丸剂传统剂型上的落地。
Editorial translation
Liuwei Dihuang Wan with Anemarrhena rhizome and Phellodendron bark added is known as Zhibai Dihuang Wan (Anemarrhena-Phellodendron Rehmanni Pills). It addresses yin deficiency with fire effulgence patterns: bone-steaming and taxation heat, vexation and night sweats, dry mouth and sore throat, tinnitus and seminal emission, and scanty dark urine with astringent sensation. Zhibai Dihuang Wan is the canonical "tonify yin and drain fire" representative formula in the Liuwei Dihuang Wan series, sharing the same composition as Zhibai Dihuang Pian (tablets) but differing in dosage form: pills are honey-bound, slower to release and gentler in action, and are preferred in chronic-condition long-term intermittent use where symptoms are not severe, while tablets are faster-releasing and more dose-explicit, preferred for shorter courses in more pronounced presentations. Together, the two dosage forms embody the application of the "replenish the water lord to restrain the sunlight" treatment principle in traditional pill form.
In tradition
In TCM tradition, associated with the more pronounced form of "kidney yin deficiency with fire": night sweats, hot sensations in the palms and soles, dry mouth and throat at night, lower back soreness, tinnitus, mild anxiety or restlessness, and, in some men, premature ejaculation or seminal emissions. It is essentially Liuwei Dihuang Wan for the patient who feels "hot and dry" rather than simply "tired and depleted."
Formula composition
Monarch1
- Rehmannia root, cooked (Shú Dì Huáng / 熟地黄)
Minister2
- Cornus fruit (Shān Zhū Yú / 山茱萸)
- Chinese yam (Shān Yào / 山药)
Assistant5
- Moutan tree bark (Mǔ Dān Pí / 牡丹皮)
- Poria (Fú Líng / 茯苓)
- Alisma rhizome (Zé Xiè / 泽泻)
- Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhī Mǔ / 知母)
- Phellodendron bark (Huáng Bǎi / 黄柏)
International availability
Japan (Kampo)
- Tsumura & Co.ツムラOTC知柏地黄丸Chibakujio-gan
Korea (Hanbang)
- Kyungdong경동OTC지박지황환Jibak-jihwang-hwan
Taiwan & Hong Kong
- 順天堂OTC知柏地黃丸Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan
Cautions & context
- Considered inappropriate during a common cold, fever, or active digestive upset in TCM framing, the formula is "tonifying and cold" and may "trap" external pathogens.
- People with loose stools, poor appetite, or what TCM describes as "spleen yang deficiency" are typically advised to avoid it.
- Long-term daily use is common in China but not well studied in Western pharmacology; periodic breaks are often recommended.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people should consult a qualified practitioner before use.
Related formulas
Other formulas from this text· "Golden Mirror of Medicine"
Other formulas by this contributor· Imperial Medical Academy (Wu Qian, ed.)
Browse by Pattern
Related concerns
Concern · stress
Stress & Mood
Everyday tension, low mood, irritability, the sense of being "wound up but tired". The cluster of complaints that brings many Chinese adults to the family 中成药 drawer before they ever see a doctor.
Editorial note
Compiled from "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (1742).
Last reviewed: July 18, 2026
Three layers of evidence
Classical source
≈ 300 years · "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (1742)
Pharmacopoeia indication
"Nourish yin and drain fire. Used for yin deficiency with fire: tidal fever, night sweats, dry mouth and sore throat, tinnitus, seminal emission, and scanty dark urine."
Modern research status
No systematic review on Zhibai Dihuang Wan was identified in the PubMed database as of 2026-06-28.
References
References reviewed on July 18, 2026 · PubMed search on 2026-07-18
- 01ClassicalWu Qian (吴谦) et al. (eds.), 《医宗金鉴·删补名医方论》 (Yī Zōng Jīn Jiàn · Shān Bǔ Míng Yī Fāng Lùn / Golden Mirror of Medicine · "Edited and Supplemented Formulas of Famous Physicians"), Qing dynasty, completed 1742, vol. 1, the section on Liuwei Dihuang Wan with the appended Zhibai Dihuang Wan (Anemarrhena-Phellodendron Rehmanni Pills) being the canonical text for the "tonify yin and drain fire" variation of the Liuwei Dihuang Wan series.
- 02TextbookDuan Fuqin (段富津) et al. (eds.), 《方剂学》 (Fāngjìxué / Textbook of Formulas), Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 1995, the standard modern university-level formula textbook in mainland China, with Zhibai Dihuang Wan analysed as the representative "tonify yin and clear heat" formula combining the Liuwei Dihuang base with anemarrhena (Zhī Mǔ) and phellodendron (Huáng Bǎi) for "yin deficiency with fire effulgence" patterns.
- 03PharmacopoeiaChinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, 《中华人民共和国药典》 2020 年版一部 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Yàodiǎn, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2020 Edition, Vol. I), China Medical Science Press, 2020, the official monograph for Zhī Bǎi Dì Huáng Wán (and Piàn) dosage forms, with the "functional indications" reading "滋阴降火" (nourish yin and drain fire).