Herbsmith Rx Yin Qiao San is a classical Chinese herbal formula recommended by holistic veterinarians to support immune defense and respiratory health in dogs, cats, and horses. Based on the traditional formula Yin Qiao San (also known as Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder), it disperses wind-heat, clears heat, and relieves toxicity. It is well suited for pets presenting with early-stage wind-heat invasion signs such as fever, mild aversion to cold, sore or inflamed throat, nasal discharge, cough, or restlessness with heat. Available as a concentrated powder mixed into food; cats and dogs use the Canine Blend, while horses use the Equine/Horse Blend. Dosing varies by species and body weight, and your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.
Veterinary Authorization Required - Click Here to Submit Your Authorization Request
Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
What It Supports
- Wind-heat dispersal: Releases wind-heat from the exterior, addressing early-stage respiratory illness presenting with fever, mild chills, and nasal discharge in dogs, cats, and horses.
- Heat clearance: Clears heat from the lung and upper burner, reducing fever, inflammation, and the restlessness associated with wind-heat invasion.
- Toxicity relief: Resolves heat toxicity from the throat and respiratory tract, supporting comfort in pets with inflamed or swollen throat tissue and early infectious presentations.
- Immune and respiratory support: Strengthens the body's response to external wind-heat pathogens, making it appropriate for seasonal respiratory illness, early-stage infections, and recurrent wind-heat patterns.
TCVM Principles
- Primary action: Disperses wind-heat from the exterior and clears heat toxicity from the lung and throat channels, addressing the early-stage wei qi invasion pattern.
- Secondary action: Vents the exterior and supports the lung's descending and dispersing functions to relieve cough, nasal congestion, and throat inflammation associated with wind-heat.
Available Forms
- Powder - Canine Blend (for dogs and cats): Available in 75 g, 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into food at the recommended dose for your pet's weight. Cats and dogs both use this blend.
- Powder - Equine/Horse Blend (for horses only): Available in 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into grain at the recommended dose for your horse.
Suggested Use
For Dogs (Canine Blend Powder):
- Under 30 lbs: ½ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
- 30-80 lbs: 1 tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
- 80-120 lbs: 1½ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
- Over 120 lbs: 2 tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
For Cats (Canine Blend Powder): ¼ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
For Horses (Equine/Horse Blend, 1,000 lb horse): Two tablespoons twice daily for 20 days, then two tablespoons once daily in grain. If the horse initially refuses, start with a small amount mixed into grain and gradually increase until the horse is accustomed to the taste. Most horses will readily accept the herbs in their grain.
Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae), Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae Suspensae), Bo He (Herba Menthae Haplocalycis), Jie Geng (Radix Platycodi Grandiflori), Lu Gen (Rhizoma Phragmitis Communis), Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii Lappae), Dan Dou Chi (Semen Sojae Praeparata), Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis), Dan Zhu Ye (Herba Lophatheri Gracilis), Jing Jie (Herba seu Flos Schizonepetae Tenuifoliae)
Inactive Ingredient: Flaxseed
Veterinary Authorization Required - Click Here to Submit Your Authorization Request
Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Active Ingredient TCVM Actions
Yin Qiao San is a ten-herb formula structured to vent the exterior, clear heat, and relieve toxicity from the upper burner, with each herb contributing a targeted action to address wind-heat invasion at the wei qi level:
- Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae) - Honeysuckle Flower: Co-principal herb; clears heat, resolves toxicity, and vents wind-heat from the exterior; one of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine for heat toxicity affecting the throat and respiratory tract.
- Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae Suspensae) - Forsythia Fruit: Co-principal herb; clears heat, resolves toxicity, and disperses wind-heat; works with Jin Yin Hua to address heat toxicity in the upper burner and throat.
- Bo He (Herba Menthae Haplocalycis) - Chinese Mint: Disperses wind-heat from the exterior, vents the lung, and soothes the throat; its light, acrid nature helps release the exterior and direct the formula's action upward to the head and throat.
- Jie Geng (Radix Platycodi Grandiflori) - Platycodon Root: Opens the lung qi, expels phlegm, and benefits the throat; acts as an envoy herb that directs the formula to the lung and throat channels and supports the lung's dispersing function.
- Lu Gen (Rhizoma Phragmitis Communis) - Phragmites Rhizome: Clears heat, generates fluids, and relieves thirst; addresses the fluid consumption caused by heat and supports the body's ability to recover moisture after wind-heat invasion.
- Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii Lappae) - Burdock Fruit: Disperses wind-heat, benefits the throat, and resolves toxicity; particularly effective for throat inflammation and swelling associated with wind-heat patterns.
- Dan Dou Chi (Semen Sojae Praeparata) - Prepared Soy Bean: Releases the exterior, vents heat, and relieves restlessness; supports the formula's exterior-releasing action and addresses the mild irritability and restlessness that accompany wind-heat invasion.
- Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis) - Licorice Root: Clears heat, resolves toxicity, soothes the throat, and harmonizes the formula; moderates the actions of the other herbs and supports the throat and lung.
- Dan Zhu Ye (Herba Lophatheri Gracilis) - Lophatherum Leaf: Clears heat, relieves restlessness, and promotes urination to drain heat downward; provides an additional route for heat to exit the body through the urine.
- Jing Jie (Herba seu Flos Schizonepetae Tenuifoliae) - Schizonepeta: Releases the exterior and disperses wind; its mild, acrid nature supports the venting of wind-heat from the surface without being overly warming, making it appropriate for wind-heat patterns.
Potential Drug Interactions
Yin Qiao San is a heat-clearing and exterior-releasing formula containing herbs such as Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, and Gan Cao with immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties. Pets currently on prescription medications should use this formula under veterinary supervision, as research on herb-drug interactions in dogs and cats remains limited.
Medication categories warranting extra caution include immunosuppressive drugs, corticosteroids, antibiotic therapies for concurrent infections, and pets managing multiple concurrent prescriptions. Your authorizing veterinarian can determine appropriateness based on your pet's condition, current medications, and laboratory results.
Veterinary Authorization Required - Click Here to Submit Your Authorization Request
Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions is Yin Qiao San used for in TCVM?
In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Yin Qiao San is indicated for early-stage wind-heat invasion patterns presenting as fever, mild aversion to cold, sore or inflamed throat, nasal discharge, cough, thirst, and restlessness with heat. It is most effective when used at the onset of illness before the pathogen has penetrated deeper into the body, and is appropriate for seasonal respiratory illness, early-stage infections, and recurrent wind-heat patterns in dogs, cats, and horses.
How is Yin Qiao San administered to dogs, cats, and horses?
Mix the powder directly into food or grain at the dose recommended for your pet's species and body weight. Both dogs and cats use the Canine Blend; horses use the Equine/Horse Blend. Dogs and cats receive the formula twice daily; horses receive two tablespoons twice daily for the first 20 days, then once daily for maintenance. Your authorizing veterinarian will confirm the appropriate dose and schedule for your individual pet.
How long does it take to see results with Yin Qiao San?
As an exterior-releasing formula designed for early-stage wind-heat invasion, Yin Qiao San is intended to act relatively quickly when used at the onset of illness. Many pets show improvement in fever, nasal discharge, and throat inflammation within a few days of consistent use. If signs persist or worsen, or if the pathogen has progressed deeper into the body, your veterinarian may recommend a different formula or additional support appropriate to the current pattern.
Can Yin Qiao San be combined with other TCVM formulas or conventional medications?
Combination with complementary TCVM formulas is common in holistic veterinary practice and should be guided by your authorizing veterinarian based on your pet's full pattern diagnosis. If your pet is on conventional medications, particularly immunosuppressive drugs or corticosteroids, veterinary oversight is especially important to ensure the treatment plan fits your pet's overall health status and that the formula's exterior-releasing action is not contraindicated.