Born around the seventh year of the Datong era of the Southern Liang Dynasty (541), and passing away in the seventeenth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (643), Zhen Quan was a native of Fugou, Xuzhou (present-day Fugou, Henan). Due to his mother's illness, he and his brother Zhen Li-yan delved deeply into medical studies, specializing in medical texts, and eventually became renowned physicians. Zhen Quan was particularly skilled in the techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion, and was also proficient in medicinal treatments. He practiced medicine throughout his life, saving many lives. In the early years of the Sui Dynasty's Kaihuang era (581), he served as a proofreader in the Imperial Library, but later resigned due to illness. Zhen Quan was knowledgeable in the art of nurturing life, proposing that expelling the old and absorbing the new could purify lung qi, an effective method for health and longevity. He also advocated that diet need not be overly luxurious. In the seventeenth year of the Zhenguan era (643), Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, personally visited his home to inquire about medicinal properties and the way of nurturing life. He was awarded the title of Court Gentleman for Closing Court and was bestowed with a longevity cane and clothing. He passed away that year.

Zhen Quan authored many works in his lifetime, including a volume of nose human figure diagrams; he wrote three volumes of Jingjing Chao, one volume each of Zhen Fang and Maijue Fu, and four volumes of Yaoxing Lun. These works have all been lost, but parts of their content can be found in works such as Beiji Qianjin Yaofang, Qianjin Yifang, and Waitai Miyao, which have had some influence on later generations.