There are six base formulas in the ‘Clear Heat’ category:
Formulas that Clear Heat from the Qi Level
- Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction)
Formulas that Clear Heat from the Nutritive Level & Cool Blood
- Qing Ying Tang (Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction)
Formulas that Clear Heat & Relieve Toxicity
- Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptic Decoction to Relieve Toxicity)
Formulas that Clear Heat from the Organs
- Long Dan Xie Dan Tang (Gentiana Longdancao Decoction to Drain the Liver)
- Qing Wei San (Clear the Stomach Powder)
- Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San (Bupleurium and Paeonia Formula with Moutan and Gardenia)
1. Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction)
[copy2cart name=”Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction)” formula=”SGS(30)|ZMU(9)|GC(3 – 6)” mode=”2″]
| Shi Gao | 30 | Gypsum |
| Zhi Mu | 9 | Rhizoma Anemarrhenae asphodeloidis |
| Gan Cao | 3 – 6 | Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis |
Actions
Clears Qi-Level Heat, drains Stomach Fire, generates fluids and alleviates thirst
Indications
- A high fever with profuse sweating
- An aversion to heat
- A red face
- Severe thirst, a dry mouth and tongue
- Irritability
- Possibly headache, toothache, bleeding of the gums or nose
- A flooding, forceful or slippery pulse
- The tongue coating may be yellow and dry
Formula
- Shi Gao (chief) acrid, sweet and very cold, effectively drains Fire and clears Heat.
- Zhu Mu (deputy) bitter, cold and moistening, assists Shi Gao in clearing Heat from the Lungs and Stomach to alleviate thirst, moisten dryness and enrich Yin.
- Gan Cao (assistant) protects and generates fluids and benefits the Stomach, preventing the coldness of the other herbs from injuring the Yang Qi.
Adaptations
- Substitute Shi Hu for Shi Gao to avoid injury to the Yang Qi.
- Concurrent Stomach Qi deficiency: add Shan Yao
- Concurrent Wind-Cold in the Exterior: add Cong Bai, Dan Dou Chi and Xi Xin
- Red, swollen eyes and extreme headache: add Huang Lian and Huang Qin
- Painful and swollen gums, headaches, nosebleeds, a dry mouth, thirst and constipation: add Da Huang
- Wasting and thirsting disorder, or Heat that severely injures the fluids: add Tian Hua Fen, Lu Gen and Mai Men Dong
- Subcutaneous blotches (petechiae), irritability, restlessness, insomnia and disorientation: take with Huang Lian Jie Du Tang.
Discussion
- This formula addresses blazing Heat in the Yang Brightness (Ming) channel-stage of the Six Stage of Disease or the Qi-Level of the Four Levels of Disease.
- Usually only two to four doses of the prescription are required, and if more than six doses are needed, the case needs reviewing. Signs of Shi Gao overdose are laboured breathing, icy-cold limbs and a rapid pulse.
- The Yang-Ming channels are abundant in QI and Blood, and when a strong pathogen attacks these channels in a robust individual the response is extreme, characterised by the “four bigs”; big pulse, big sweat, big fever, big thirst.
- The Yang-Ming (Stomach and Colon) channels cross the face, leading to a red face and headaches.
- The pathogen has passed the Exterior (alternating fever and chills) and entered the Interior to create the high fever of Interior Heat, yet it is still relatively superficial and affects the superficial and upper parts of the body.
- The heat forces fluids from the body (profuse sweating), and dries the fluids in the stomach (extreme thirst, dry mouth and tongue, toothache and irritability).
- With the appropriate presentation, the formula may be used for meningitis, encephalitis, lobar pneumonia, heat stroke, diabetes mellitus and periodontitis.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Contraindicated in cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency with fever, spontaneous, sweating, extreme fatigue, aversion to wind and a deficient, floating pulse.
- Contraindicated in cases of true Cold and false Heat with fever with a desire for warmth, thirst with no desire to drink, agitated movement of the limbs in an otherwise docile patient, and a flooding but deficient pulse.
- Stop this formula immediately if there are signs of headache, neck stiffness, icy-cold limbs, subjective sensations of cold or mental impairment. Signs of Shi Gao overdose are laboured breathing, icy-cold limbs and a rapid pulse.
2. Qing Ying Tang (Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction)
[copy2cart name=”Qing Ying Tang (Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction)” formula=”SNJ(30-120)|XS(9)|SDH(15)|MDG(9)|JYH(9)|LQ(6)|HLN(5)|DZY(3)|DS(6)” mode=”2″]
| Shui Niu Jiao* | 30 – 120 | Bulbali cornu* |
| Xuan Shen | 9 | Radix Scrophulariae ningpoensis |
| Sheng Di Huang | 15 | Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae |
| Mai Men Dong | 9 | Tuber Ophiopogonis japonica |
| Jin Yin Hua | 9 | Flos Lonicerae |
| Lian Qiao | 6 | Fructus Forsythiae |
| Huang Lian | 5 | Rhizoma Coptidis recens |
| Dan Zhu Ye | 3 | Herba Lophatheri |
| Dan Shen | 6 | Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae |
Actions
Clears the Nutritive (Ying) Level, relieves Fire Toxin, Drains Heat and Nourishes Yin
Indications
- High Fever that worsens at night
- Severe irritability and restlessness
- Possible thirst (indicating if in the Qi Level)
- Delirious speech in extreme cases
- Possibly faint erythema and purpura
- A scarlet, dry tongue (possibly with a yellow coat indicating if in the QiLevel)
- A thin, rapid pulse
Formula
- Shui Niu Jiao (chief) (a substutue for Xi Jiao) cold, bitter and salty, clears Heat from the Ying and Blood Levels, resolves Toxicity and cools the Blood and disperses stagnation.
- Xuan Shen (deputy) clears Heat and nourishes the Yin.
- Sheng di (deputy) cools the Blood and nourishes the Yin.
- Mai Dong (deputy) nourishes Yin and generates fluids, and between them the deputies enhance the actions of the chief ingredient.
- Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Huang Lian and Dan Zhu Ye (assistants) effectively clear Heat from the Qi Level and relieve Toxicity.
- Dan Shen (assistant) reinforces the other assistants that cool the Blood, and also prevents Blood stasis.
Adaptations
- Severe depletion of Yin and fluids: add Sha Shen and Gou Qi Zi
- Severe Qi-Level Fire: add Shi Gao
- Tremours and spasms: add Gou Teng, Ling Yang Jiao and Di Long
Discussion
- This formula is for Heat entering the Nutritive (Ying)-Level.
- The presence of thirst and/or a yellow tongue coating indicates the Heat remains in the Qi-Level.
- Once these symptoms disappear it indicates the Heat has almost completely moved to the Ying-Level.
- A faint, indistinct rash and purpura indicate the Heat is on the edge of entering the Blood-Level.
- The scarlet, dry tongue and thin, rapid pulse are crucial indicators of Ying-Level Heat.
- The fever worsens at night aas the Yin is depleted
- With the appropriate presentation, the formula may be used for septicaemia, pneumonia, encephalitis, meningitis, and leukemia crisis.
Cautions & Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases with a white and slippery tongue coating (indicating Dampness) as it will prolong the condition.
3. Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptic Decoction to Relieve Toxicity)
[copy2cart name=”Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptic Decoction to Relieve Toxicity)” formula=”HLN(4)|HQN(6)|HBI(6)|ZZI(6 – 12)” mode=”2″]
| Huang Lian | 4 | Rhizoma Coptidis |
| Huang Qin | 6 | Radix Scutellariae |
| Huang Bai | 6 | Cortex Phellodendri Chinensi |
| Zhi Zi | 6 – 12 | Fructus Gardeniae |
Actions
Drains Fire and relieves Toxicity
Indications
- High fever, irritability
- Dry mouth and throat
- Incoherent speech, insomnia
- Dark urine
- A red tongue with a yellow coating
- A rapid, forceful pulse
Formula
- Huang Lian (chief) drains Fire from the Heart (and via the Heart’s connection to the Fire phase) it reduces Fire in all the other organs, especially from the middle Jiao.
- Huang Qin (deputy) clears Heat from the upper Jiao.
- Huang Bai (assistant) clears Heat from the lower Jiao.
- Zhi Zi drains Heat from the three Jiao through the urine and is especially useful at relieving irritability.
- Once the Fire is drained, the toxins will disappear.
Adaptations
- Constipation: add Da Huang
- Jaundice due to Heat obstruction: add Yin Chen Hao and Da Huang
- Dysentery with blood and mucus in the stool and tenesmus: add Mu Xiang, Bing Lang and Qin Pi
- Damp-Heat in the lower Jiao with urinary frequency, urgency and pain: add Mu Tong, Ze Xie and Che Qian Zi
- Nosebleed, purpura, erythema or vomiting of blood: add Sheng di, Mu Dan Pi and Xuan Shen
- Purulent lesions (such as deep-seated boils): take with Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin
Discussion
- This formula is suitable for all types of Fire Toxin obstructing the three Jiao creating high fever, irritability, a dry mouth and throat, a red tongue with a yellow coating and a rapid, strong pulse.
- With the appropriate presentation, the formula may be used for septicaemia, toxic bacillary dysentery, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, encephalitis and purulent skin lesions.
Cautions & Contraindications
- This formula is very cold and bitter and can easily injure Qi and Yang.
- If prescribed for Heat in the Ying or Blood Levels it may easily injure Yin.
4. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentiana Longdancao Decoction to Drain the Liver)
[copy2cart name=”Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentiana Longdancao Decoction to Drain the Liver)” formula=”LDC(3-9)|HQN(6-12)|ZZI(6-12)|mu-tong(3-6)|CQZ(9-15)|ZX(6-12)|CHU(3-9)|SDH(9-15)|DGI(6-12)|GC(3-6)” mode=”2″]
| Long Dan Cao | 3-9 | Radix Gentianae longdancao |
| Huang Qin | 6-12 | Radix Scutellariae baicalensis |
| Zhi Zi | 6-12 | Fructus Gardenia jasminoidis |
| Mu Tong ** | 3-6 | Caulis Akebiae trifoliatae ** |
| Che Qian Zi | 9-15 | Semen Plantaginis |
| Ze Xie | 6-12 | Rhizoma Alismatis orientalis |
| Chai Hu | 3-9 | Radix Bupleuri |
| Sheng di Huang | 9-15 | Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae |
| Dang Gui | 6-12 | Radix Angelicae sinensis |
| Gan Cao | 3-6 | Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis |
Actions
Drains Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder and Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao
Indications
- Hypochondriac pain, headache, dizziness, red and sore eyes
- Hearing loss, swelling in the ears
- Bitter taste, irritability, short temper
- Difficult and painful urination with a sensation of heat in the urethra
- Swollen or itchy external genitalia
- Women may experience foul-smelling leukorrhoea, short menstrual cycles and reddish-purple menses
- A red tongue with a yellow coating
- A wiry, rapid and strong pulse
Formula
- Long Dan Cao (chief) is bitter and cold and drains Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder and eliminates Damp-Heat from the lower Jiao.
- Huang Qin and Zhi Zi (deputies) assist the chief in draining Fire and eliminating Dampness.
- Chai Hu (deputy) disperses Heat due to constrained Liver and Gallbladder Qi, and with Huang Qin clears Heat from the Shao-Yang Level.
- Mu Tong, Che Qian Zi and Ze Xie (assistants) drain Heat from the upper and lower Jiao by promoting urination.
- Sheng di and Dang Gui (assistants) supplement Yin and Blood to prevent the bitter, drying herbs from injuring Yin, Blood or causing stagnation.
- Gan Cao (envoy) harmonises the middle Jiao and prevents the cold, bitter, drying herbs from injuring the Stomach.
Adaptations
- Severe headache and painful red eyes: add Ju Hua and Sang Ye
- Coughing blood due to Liver Fire attacking Lungs: add Mu Dan Pi and Ce Bai Ye
- Tremours: add Gou Teng and Chuan Bei Mu
- If the Liver Fire has consumed Yin: omit Mu Tong, Ze Xie, Che Qian Zi and Chai Hu and add He Shou Wu, Nu Zhen Zi and Bai Shao*
- Pale-red leucorrhoea: add Chi Shao Yao (6-15) and Lian Zi Xin (1.5-3)
- Insomnia: He Huan Pi (10-15); soothes the Liver Qi and tranquilises the Shen
Discussion
- This formula drains Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder channels, and the LIver channel enters the genitals and the hypochondrium, and the Liver organ opens into the eyes.
- The Gallbladder channel starts at the corner of the eyes and crosses the temporal aspects of the head. When an excess of Heat enters these channels, it cannot drain and becomes constrained, turning into Fire blazing upwards.
- The Gallbladder and Triple Burner channels are joined via the Shao-Yang, and involvement of the Triple Burner disrupts fluid metabolism and creates Dampness.
- With the appropriate presentation, the formula may be used for migraine headaches, eczema, intercostal neuralgia, gallstones, conjunctivitis, herpes (zoster and simplex) corneal ulcers, acute glaucoma, central retinitis, supportive otitis media, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), orchitis, epididymitis and hyperthyroidism.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Use with caution with Spleen Qi deficiency.
- Not to be taken long-term or in large doses.
5. Qing Wei San (Clear the Stomach Powder)
[copy2cart name=”Qing Wei San (Clear the Stomach Powder)” formula=”HLN(3 – 6)|SMA(3 – 6)|MDP(6 – 9)|SDH(6 – 12)|DGI(6 – 12)” mode=”2″]
| Huang Lian | 3 – 6 | Rhizoma Coptidis |
| Sheng Ma | 3 – 6 | Rhizoma Cimicifugae |
| Mu Dan Pi | 6 – 9 | Cortex Moutan |
| Sheng di Huang | 6 – 12 | Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae |
| Dang Gui | 6 – 12 | Radix Angelicae Sinensis |
Actions
Drains Stomach Fire, cools the Blood and nourishes Yin
Indications
- Toothache (especially when the pain extends into the head)
- Facial swelling, fever, bad breath, dry mouth
- Bleeding and sores on the gums
- A swollen, painful tongue, lips or jaw
- A red tongue with little coating
- A slippery, large and rapid pulse
Formula
- Huang Lian (chief) clears Stomach Fire and drains the accumulation of Heat affecting the middle Jiao, which prevents the rise of the pure products of digestion and the descent of the turbid by-products.
- Sheng Ma (deputy) raises and disperses the Heat and relieves toxicity.
- Mu Dan Pi and Sheng di (assistants) cool the Blood and nourish Yin.
- Dang Gui (assistant) reduces swelling and alleviates pain by harmonising the Blood.
Adaptations
- Strong thirst with a desire for cold drinks: omit Dang Gui, and add Xuan Shen and Tuan Hua Fen
- Heat in the Large Intestine with constipation: add Da Huang
Discussion
- This is a very effective formula for toothache and swollen or bleeding gums due to Stomach Fire.
- Causes of Stomach Fire include excess consumption of rich or fried foods, improper use of hot tonic herbs, or excess cold foods, which constrains the Yang Qi and causes it to transform into Fire.
- With the appropriate presentation, this formula may be used for stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, glossitis, halitosis and trigeminal neuralgia.
Cautions & Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of toothache from Wind-Cold, or oral problems due to Kidney deficiency.
6. Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San (Bupleurium and Paeonia Formula with Moutan and Gardenia)
[copy2cart name=”Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San #1 (Bupleurium and Paeonia Formula)” formula=”CHU(12)|DGI(9)|BSY(12)|BZU(9)|FLG(9)|ZZI(9)|MDP(9)|BOH(6)|RDT(9)|GC(6)” mode=”2″]
| Chai Hu | 12 | Radix Bupleuri |
| Dang Gui | 9 | Radix Angelicae sinensis |
| Bai Shao Yao | 12 | Radix Paeoniae lactiflorae |
| Bai Zhu | 9 | Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephale |
| Fu Ling | 9 | Sclerotium Poriae cocos |
| Zhi Zi | 9 | Fructus Gardenia jasminoidis |
| Mu Dan Pi | 9 | Cortex Moutan radicis |
| Bo He | 6 | Herba Menthae haplocalycis |
| Ren Dong Teng | 9 | Ramulus Lonicerae japonicae |
| Gan Cao | 6 | Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis |
Actions
Clears Liver Fire arising from Liver Qi Stagnation
Indications
Formula
- This formula is a variation of a Harmonising prescription, but is efficient at relieving constraint that causes Heat accumulation.
- Chai Hu is the chief herb and relieves Liver Qi stagnation.
- Dang Gui and Bai Shao nourish Blood and soften the Liver to encourage flow.
- Bai Zhu and Fu Ling strengthen the Spleen.
- Zhi Zi and Mu Dan Pi clear Fire and Heat in the Blood and drain Damp-Heat.
- Ren Dong Teng is sweet, clears Heat and eliminates toxins along with Bo He.
- Gan Cao tonifies the Spleen, harmonises the formula and, with Bai Shao, relieves abdominal spasms.
Discussion
- This formula is appropriate for Heat arising from Liver Qi constraint, which lacks the full force of excess Heat that requires treatment with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang.
**Unavailable in the Uk