Herb Formulas Notebook

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Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin

Universal Benefit to Eliminate Toxin

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Source: Dong-Yuan's Tried and Tested Formulas (1202)
Author: Li Gao / Dong-Yuan

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Category: Formulas that Clear Heat

Pattern: Sudden onset of severe Fire Toxin due to seasonal epidemic of Wind-Heat and Damp-Phlegm

Key Symptoms: Strong fever and chills, redness swelling and burning pain of the head and face, inability to open the eyes, dysfunction of the throat, dryness and thirst
Secondary Symptoms: Modern usage has expanded the indications to any severe heat of the head and face including sores, boils and abscesses, haemorrhagic conjunctitivitis, tonsilitis, parotiditis and upper respiratory tract infections.

Tongue: Red with powdery white or yellow coating
Pulse: Floating, rapid and forceful

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Ingredients

Huang Qin	15g
Pinyin: Huang Qin  Chinese: 黄芩  Latin: Radix Scutellariae  English: Baical Skullcap Root Tastes: Bitter, cold Meridians Entered: Lung, Stomach, Gallbladder, Large Intestine and Bladder Actions & Indications: Clears Heat and dries Dampness Damp-Heat in the Stomach or Intestines with diarrhoea or dysenteric disorder Damp-Warmth with fever, a stifling sensation in the chest and thirst with no desire to drink Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao with painful urinary dysfunction Damp-Heat jaundice (auxiliary), infectious hepatitis Drains Fire and detoxifies Heat and Fire especially in the Upper Jiao (Lung) with high fever, irritability, thirst, cough and expectoration of thick, yellow sputum Upper respiratory tract infection Hot sores and swellings (topical or internal) Cools the Blood and stops bleeding Xue Stage Heat or Blood Heat causing bleeding with epistaxis, hemoptysis, hematemesis and hemafecia Clears Heat and calms the fetus Fetal restlessness due to Heat Calms ascending Liver Yang Liver Yang Rising with headache, irritability, red eyes, flushed face and bitter taste High Blood pressure Gallbladder Heat Standard Dosage: 5-15g in decoction.
Huang Lian	15g
Pinyin: Huang Lian  Chinese: 黄连  Latin: Rhizoma Coptidis  English: Coptis Rhizome / Goldthread Rhizome Tastes: Bitter, cold Meridians Entered: Heart, Stomach, Large Intestine and Liver Actions & Indications: Clears Heat and drains Dampness Damp-Heat in the Stomach or Intestines with diarrhoea or dysenteric disorder Stomach Heat with vomiting and/or acid regurgitation Drains Fire and resolves Fire toxicity Heat with Blazing Fire (Toxic Heat) with high fever. irritability, disorientation, delirium, a red tongue and a rapid, full pulse Heat from Excess with toxicity: painful, red eyes and a sore throat Boils, carbuncles and abscesses (Chuang Yung) Clears Heat and stops bleeding Blood Heat with epistaxis, hematuria, hemafecia and hemoptysis Clears Heat topically Infected wounds, red and painful eyes, ulcerations of the tongue and mouth (topical) Clears Heart Fire (sedative) Heart Fire Lack of communication between the Heart and Kidneys Drains Stomach Fire Stomach Fire Standard Dosage: 2-10g in decoction. Cautions: It is contraindicated for deficiency-cold syndrome. Because its taste is extremly bitter and dryness, overdosage and long-time taking will impair spleen and stomach, yin and fluids.
Ren Shen	9g
Pinyin: Ren Shen  Chinese: 人参  Latin: Radix Panax Ginseng  English: Ginseng Root Tastes: Sweet, slightly warm Meridians Entered: Spleen, Lung and Heart Actions & Indications: Powerfully tonifies Yuan Qi Extreme collapse of Qi or abandoned conditions that manifest in shallow breathing, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating and an almost imperceptible pulse (after blood loss, overly profuse sweating or other problems related to severe fluid loss - it can be used alone in these emergencies) Collapse of Yang Collapse of Yin Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi Lethargy, anorexia, chest and abdominal distention, chronic diarrhoea and, in severe cases, prolapse of the Stomach, uterus or rectum Tonifies Lung Qi Lung Qi Deficiency with wheezing, shortness of breath and labored breathing on exertion Generates Body Fluids and stops thirst Wasting and thirsting disorder (Xiao Ke) and high fevers with profuse sweating which injures Qi and fluids Tonifies Heart Qi and calms the Spirit Heart Qi and Blood Deficiency with palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness and restlessness Treats impotence With Kidney Yang tonics for impotence Tonifies Qi in Deficiency patients with Exterior conditions Exterior disorder with Interior Deficiency Standard Dosage: 5-10g in decoction, 10-30g for exhaustion syndrome due to Qi deficiency. Cautions: Antagonizing to Li Lu; the warm nature of sun-dried raw Ren Shen is weaker than that of Hong Shen. Contraindicated to warfarin as it has an additive effect and may cause bleeding.
Niu Bang Zi	3g
Pinyin: Niu Bang Zi  Chinese: 牛蒡子  Latin: Fructus Arctii  English: Burdock Seed Tastes: Pungent, bitter, cold Meridians Entered: Lung and Stomach Actions & Indications: Disperses Wind-Heat and benefits the throat Wind-Heat with fever, cough and sore throat Relieves toxicity and vents rashes Carbuncles, red swellings, early-stage measles, mumps, erythema, acute febrile maculo-papular rashes Incomplete expression of rashes Pruritic rashes due to Wind-Heat Moistens the Intestines Wind-Heat toxins where there is also Internal Heat causing constipation Constipation associated with other forms of toxicity such as acne Standard Dosage: 6-12g in decoction. Cautions: It is not suitable for deficiency-cold loose stool because of its cold property and the action of lubricating the intestines.
Lian Qiao	3g
Pinyin: Lian Qiao  Chinese: 连翘  Latin: Fructus Forsythiae  English: Weeping Forsythia Capsule / Forsythia Fruit Tastes: Bitter, slightly pungent, cold Meridians Entered: Lung, Heart and Small Intestine Actions & Indications: Clears Heat (especially in the Upper Jiao) and relieves toxicity Wind-Heat with high fever, slight chills and sore throat Reduces abscesses and dissipates clumps Toxic Heat sores and swellings (Chuang Yung), scrofula and throat Bi Clears Blood Heat Blood Heat Promotes urination Lin syndrome, dysuria, hematuria Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.
Bo He	3g
Pinyin: Bo He  Chinese: 薄荷  Latin: Herba Menthae  English: Field Mint / Wild Mint / Peppermint Tastes: Pungent, cool Meridians Entered: Lung and Liver Actions & Indications: Disperses Wind-Heat, cools and clears the head and eyes and benefits the throat Wind-Heat with fever, cough, headache, red eyes and a sore throat Vents rashes Early-stage rashes e.g. measles Relieves Stagnation of Liver Qi Liver Qi Stagnation with pressure in the chest or flanks, emotional instability and gynecological problems Expels turbid filth Exposure to unclean Qi in the Summertime leading to gastric distress with abdominal pain, vomiting. diarrhoea and a thick, yellow, greasy tongue coat Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Jiang Can	2g		(dry fried)
Pinyin: Jiang Can  Chinese: 僵蚕  Latin: Bombyx Batryticatus  English: Silkworm Tastes: Salty, pungent, neutral Meridians Entered: Liver and Lung Actions & Indications: Extinguishes Wind and stops spasms and convulsions Childhood convulsions and facial paralysis Seizures due to Liver Wind or especially Wind-Phlegm-Heat Dispels Wind, disperses Wind-Heat and stops itching and pain Headache, red eyes, a sore, swollen throat and itching skin lesions such as Wind-Rash from externally contracted Wind-Heat or Liver Wind Loss of voice Transforms Phlegm, softens hardness, eliminates toxins and dissipates nodules Phlegm-Heat scrofula and other Phlegm nodules Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction. Cautions: Animal products are prohibited from use in the UK under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67 which restricts herbalists to the use of plant products only. It is generally substituted with Tian Ma and Tian Zhu Huang.
Xuan Shen	6g
Pinyin: Xuan Shen  Chinese: 玄參  Latin: Radix Scrophulariae  English: Chinese Figwort Root / Ningpo Figwort Root Tastes: Bitter, sweet, salty, light cold Meridians Entered: Heart, Stomach, Kidney, Lung Actions & Indications: Clears Heat and cools the Blood Xue Stage Heat or Blood Heat with hemorrhage (hematemesis), fever, dry mouth and a purplish tongue Nourishes Yin Yin Deficiency with Heat signs especially as sequelae from Warm Febrile Disease with Dry Lungs, insomnia, constipation, an unclear Shen and irritability Yin Deficiency dry Lungs Heart Yin Deficiency Softens hardness and dissipates nodules (Transforms Phlegm-Heat) Neck lumps (goiter, scrofula) due to Phlegm Fire Severe throat pain and swelling Drains Fire Extreme throat pain or red, swollen eyes Relieves toxicity Ying Stage Heat Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction. Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. It is antagonistic to Li Lu.
Ma Bo	3g
Pinyin: Ma Bo  Chinese: 马勃  Latin: Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia  English: Puffball Tastes: Pungent, neutral Meridians Entered: Lung Actions & Indications: Clears Lung Heat, relieves Fire toxicity and Improves the throat Swollen, painful throat and loss of voice due to Fire toxin Cough due to Lung Heat Stops bleeding Bleeding especially in the mouth or lips (topically and internally Bleeding gums due to frostbite Standard Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.
Ban Lan Gen	3g
Pinyin: Ban Lan Gen  Chinese: 板蓝根  Latin: Radix Isatidis  English: Indigo Woad Root Tastes: Bitter, cold Meridians Entered: Lung, Stomach, Heart and Liver Actions & Indications: Drains Heat, relieves Fire toxicity, cools the Blood and benefits the throat Warm febrile disease Epidemic disorders Seasonal toxic pathogens such as mumps, and painful, swollen throat conditions Damp-Heat jaundice Gallbladder Heat Blood Heat Standard Dosage: 15-30g in decoction.
Jie Geng	6g
Pinyin: Jie Geng  Chinese: 桔梗  Latin: Radix Platycodi  English: Balloon Flower Root Tastes: Bitter, pungent, neutral Meridians Entered: Lung Actions & Indications: Opens the Lungs, spreads Lung Qi, expels Phlegm and benefits the throat Cough due to Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat (with profuse sputum, sore throat, loss of voice) Loss of voice or sore throat due to external Heat, Phlegm Heat or Yin Deficiency Heat Expels pus Lung or throat abscess (Phlegm and Qi Stagnation) with fevers, chest pain, coughing of yellow sputum with a fishy smell and hemoptysis Opens and raises Lung Qi, directing the effects of other herbs to the upper body Reinforces the actions of the other herbs and focuses the formula on the upper body Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction. Cautions: Overdose can cause nausea and vomiting.
Gan Cao	6g
Pinyin: Gan Cao  Chinese: 甘草  Latin: Radix Glycyrrhizae  English: Licorice Root Tastes: Sweet, slightly cold Meridians Entered: Heart, Lung and Spleen Actions & Indications: Tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi Spleen Qi Deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude and loose stools Qi and Blood Deficiency with an irregular pulse and/or palpitations Heart Qi Deficiency or Heart Yang Deficiency Moistens the Lungs, resolves Phlegm and stops coughing Lung Heat or Cold Productive or non-productive coughing Moderates spasms and alleviates pain Painful muscle spasms of the abdomen and legs Clears Heat and relieves Fire toxicity Raw for Toxic Heat with sore throat or carbuncles and sores (Chuang Yung) Antidote for many toxic substances (internal and topical) Poisoning Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs and guides the herbs to all twelve channels Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction. Cautions: It is contraindicated for combining with Hai Zao, Da Ji, Gan Sui and Yuan Hua because of "eighteen antagonisms". It is also contraindicated in cases of dampness obstruction in middle energizer and edema because it can help dampness obstruct qi, and it is prohibited from long-term usage in large dosage (more than 20g/day) and should be avoided or used with extreme caution in patients with high blood pressure because it may raise aldosterone levels in the blood causing retention of sodium.
Ju Hong	6g
Pinyin: Ju Hong  Chinese: 橘红  Latin: Exocarpium Citri Rubrum  English: Outermost Red Tangerine Peel Tastes: Pungent, bitter, warm Meridians Entered: Lung and Spleen Actions & Indications: Regulates Qi, adjusts the Middle and relieves the diaphragm Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation with epigastric or abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea and vomiting Dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm Phlegm-Damp Obstructs the Lung with coughing, a stifling sensation in the chest and/or diaphragm and copious, viscous sputum Turbid Damp Obstructs the Middle with a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal distention, anorexia, fatigue, loose stools and a thick, greasy tongue coat Helps prevent Stagnation from tonic herbs Tonic herbs causing Stagnation Descends Qi Qi Rebellion Standard Dosage: 3-9g in decoction. Cautions: It is contraindicated for yin deficiency with dry cough and qi deficiency.
Chai Hu	6g
Pinyin: Chai Hu  Chinese: 柴胡  Latin: Radix Bupleuri  English: Hare's Ear Root / Thorowax Root Tastes: Bitter, pungent, slightly cold Meridians Entered: Liver and Spleen Actions & Indications: Resolves Shaoyang disorders and reduces fever (harmonizes the Exterior and Interior) Shaoyang Stage with alternating chills and fever, a bitter taste,dizziness, tinnitus, flank pain, irritability, vomiting and a stifling sensation in the chest Deficiency Heat (auxiliary) Gallbladder Fire Spreads Liver Qi and relieves Stagnation Liver Qi Stagnation with dizziness, vertigo, chest and flank pain, emotional instability and menstrual problems Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen with epigastric and flank pain, a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal bloating, nausea and indigestion Liver/Gallbladder Disharmony Raises Yang Qi (specifically the Clear Qi of the Stomach and Gallbladder) Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency, Qi collapse (prolapse) with hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, bleeding or exhaustion Disperses Wind-Heat and resolves Phlegm and congestion Wind-Heat Standard Dosage: Up to 3g to raise sinking Qi, 6-9g to relieve Liver Qi stagnation, 12-24g to release the exterior. Cautions: Anyone who has syndromes of yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, stirring of liver wind, yin deficiency with effulgent fire and qi going upward adversely, this herb should be used with cautions.
Sheng Ma	2g
Pinyin: Sheng Ma  Chinese: 升麻  Latin: Rhizoma Cimicifugae  English: Black Cohosh Tastes: Pungent, slightly bitter, slightly cold Meridians Entered: Lung, Spleen, Stomach and Large Intestine Actions & Indications: Releases the Exterior and vents measles Headache due to Wind-Heat Early stages of measles Clears Heat and relieves toxicity Fire toxins in the upper or superficial aspects of the body with sore teeth, swollen or painful gums, ulcerated lips or gums, canker sores, painful and swollen throat, sores or maculae from Warm-Heat pathogen diseases Raises Yang and lifts sunken Qi Central Qi Sinking or Middle Qi Deficiency with shortness of breath, fatigue and prolapse Dai channel spasms Guides other herbs upwards Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction. Cautions: The patients whose measles have come out or have yin deficiency and heat excess, or yin deficiency and yang going upward adversely are forbidden to use this herb.

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Preparation: Originally ground into powder with half taken as a draft and half taken as pills made with honey and slowly dissolved in the mouth. Today it is generally prepared as a decoction with Ren Shen reduced to 3g or omitted entirely.

Actions: Clears Heat, eliminates Fire Toxin, disperses Wind-Heat

Contraindications: Caution in those with Yin deficiency

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Research Links:
Pubmed
Science Direct
Google Scholar
Journal of Chinese Medicine
American Dragon

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Reference Notes: (click to display)

These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.

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