Bi Yan Pian is a modern formulation designed for Wind Heat or Wind Cold invasions. When External Wind invades through the body’s Exterior, it hampers the Lung Qi’s dispersing and descending function in the nasal passages. Bi Yan Pian combines Wind expelling, Heat clearing and aromatic ingredients to open the nasal passages and the sensory orifices, transforming Phlegm.

The two chief ingredients Xanthium fruit and Magnolia flower open the nasal passages, expel Wind and Dampness and direct the formula to the sinus regions. Magnolia flower dispels Wind Cold, and Phellodendron bark drains Damp Heat. Forsythia fruit clears externally
contracted Wind Heat, while Anemarrhena rhizome clears internal Heat from the Lungs and Stomach and drains Fire. Chrysanthemum flower further supports the formula’s actions of dispersing Wind and clearing Heat.

Fragrant angelica root releases the Exterior, opens the orifices, especially the nose, dries Dampness and expels Wind Cold. Schizonepeta herb and Siler root dispel Wind and open the sinuses, while Schisandra fruit consolidates Lung Qi and nourishes the Kidneys. Platycodon root opens up and disseminates Lung Qi, transforms Phlegm, benefits the throat, and directs the formula to the upper body. Chinese licorice root and rhizome aids in clearing Heat in the Middle Burner, supplements the Qi and harmonizes the formula.

It may be appropriate to combine Bi Yan Pian with other formulas such as Dispel Invasion from the Kan Herbals line, Yin Qiao or Gan Mao Ling to augment Wind Heat clearing functions.

Bi Yan Pian can be supported with formulas which address patterns of imbalance such as Lung, Kidney or Spleen deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation or the ever critical vitality of the Defensive (Wei) Qi. Examples would be Jade Windscreen or Blue Green Lung Formula.

ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT
Bi Yan Pian is a modern formula based on classical formulas such as Xanthium Powder (Cang Er Zi San) from Formulas to Aid the Living (Ji Sheng Fang) written by Yan Yong-He in 1253, and Magnolia Flower Powder from the same text.