Formula Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat

Bai Hu Tang

白虎湯

Also known as:

White Tiger Decoction

Formula Composition

Shi Gao
Shi Gao
Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Jing Mi
Jing Mi
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistant
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Qi-level Heat
  2. Drains Stomach Fire
  3. Generates fluids
  4. Alleviates thirst

Patterns Treated

Bright Yang Stomach Heat, Toxic-Heat

Historical Origin

Discussion of Cold Damage (220 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Bai Hu Tang

Main Actions

Clears Qi-level Heat
Drains Stomach Fire
Generates fluids
Alleviates thirst

Key TCM Concepts

Bai Hu Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Gypsum (Shi Gao) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Qi-level Heat. Its main actions are: 1) clears Qi-level Heat and 2) drains Stomach Fire.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Bai Hu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Bright Yang Stomach Heat or Toxic-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as meningitis, scarlet fever or fever for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Bright Yang Stomach Heat
  • Toxic-Heat

Common Applications

Meningitis Scarlet fever Fever Diabetes Gingivitis Encephalitis B Influenza Typhoid Measles Dermatitis Periodontitis Stomatitis

Ingredients in Bai Hu Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Bai Hu Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Shi Gao
Shi Gao

Gypsum

Temperature Cold
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Bai Hu Tang
Shi Gao clears Heat from the Interior, vents Pathogenic Heat to the Exterior and release Heat stagnating in the muscle layer and skin. It also moistens and enriches the Yin to support the generation of Body Fluids.
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Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu

Anemarrhena rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Bai Hu Tang
Zhi Mu clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach to alleviate irritability, moistens Dryness, and enriches the Yin
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Bai Hu Tang
Gan Cao benefits the Stomach and protect the Fluids. It also helps prevent the extremely Cold properties of the other ingredients from injuring the Middle Burner.
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Jing Mi
Jing Mi

Rice sprouts

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Seed kernels
Role in Bai Hu Tang
Jing Mi benefits the Stomach and protect the Fluids. It also helps prevent the extremely Cold properties of the other ingredients from injuring the Middle Burner.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Bai Hu Tang

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Careful follow-up is advised with this very cold formula. Use of this formula should immediately stop if signs of headache, stiffness of the neck, icy-cold limbs, subjective sensations of cold, or impairment of mental faculties occur.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Bai Hu Tang may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.