Formula External formulas for External disorders

Er Qing Gao

二青膏

Also known as:

Double-Dark Plaster

Formula Composition

Qing Dai
Qing Dai
Fu Rong Ye
Fu Rong Ye
Mang Xiao
Mang Xiao
Da Huang
Da Huang
Huang Bo
Huang Bo
Bai Wei
Bai Wei
Bai Xian Pi
Bai Xian Pi
Tian Hua Fen
Tian Hua Fen
Long Gu
Long Gu
Bai Ji
Bai Ji
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Toxic-Heat
  2. Disperses swelling
  3. Relieves pain

Patterns Treated

Toxic-Heat

Historical Origin

Orthodox Lineage of External Medicine (1617 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Er Qing Gao

Main Actions

Clears Toxic-Heat
Disperses swelling
Relieves pain

Key TCM Concepts

Er Qing Gao is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Natural Indigo (Qing Dai) and Hibiscus Leaves (Fu Rong Ye) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1617 AD, it belongs to the category of external formulas for External disorders. Its main actions are: 1) clears Toxic-Heat and 2) disperses swelling.

 

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 Er Qing Gao is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Toxic-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as boils, carbuncles or abscesses for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Toxic-Heat

Common Applications

Boils Carbuncles Abscesses Inflamed subdermal cysts Inflamed lymph nodes Inflamed or infected insect bites Trauma Sprains Contusions Acute breast abscesses Mastitis

Ingredients in Er Qing Gao

Detailed information about each herb in Er Qing Gao and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Qing Dai
Qing Dai

Natural indigo

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Stomach, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried powder or mass prepared from the leaf and/or the stem
Role in Er Qing Gao
Qing Dai is bitter and cold. It drains Fire, resolves Toxic-Heat, disperses swelling and relives pain. It treats internal clumping due to accumulation of Toxic-Heat.
View herb details
Fu Rong Ye
Fu Rong Ye

Hibiscus leaves

Temperature Neutral
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used The leaf
Role in Er Qing Gao
Fu Rong Ye is bitter and cold. It drains Fire, resolves Toxic-Heat, disperses swelling and relives pain. It treats internal clumping due to accumulation of Toxic-Heat.
View herb details
Mang Xiao
Mang Xiao

Mirabilites

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Salty
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine
Parts Used The rock crushed as a powder
Role in Er Qing Gao
Mang Xiao is bitter and cold. It drains Fire, resolves Toxic-Heat, disperses swelling and relives pain. It treats internal clumping due to accumulation of Toxic-Heat.
View herb details
Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Er Qing Gao
Da Huang is bitter and cold. It drains Fire, resolves Toxic-Heat, disperses swelling and relives pain. It treats internal clumping due to accumulation of Toxic-Heat.
View herb details
Huang Bo
Huang Bo

Phellodendron bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried bark
Role in Er Qing Gao
Huang Bo is bitter and cold. It drains Fire, resolves Toxic-Heat, disperses swelling and relives pain. It treats internal clumping due to accumulation of Toxic-Heat.
View herb details
Bai Wei
Bai Wei

Swallow-wort roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Salty
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Er Qing Gao
Bai Wei is bitter and cold. It drains Fire, resolves Toxic-Heat, disperses swelling and relives pain. It treats internal clumping due to accumulation of Toxic-Heat.
View herb details
Bai Xian Pi
Bai Xian Pi

Dittany root bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root bark
Role in Er Qing Gao
Bai Xian Pi is bitter and cold. It drains Fire, resolves Toxic-Heat, disperses swelling and relives pain. It treats internal clumping due to accumulation of Toxic-Heat.
View herb details
Tian Hua Fen
Tian Hua Fen

Snake gourd roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Er Qing Gao
Tian Hua Fen treats abscesses by dispersing clumping and swelling and thrusting out pus. Together with other assistant herbs, it addresses stasis, clumps, swelling, and pain. When Heat is cleared and the Toxicity is resolved, the swelling is dispersed, and the pain is relieved.
View herb details
Long Gu
Long Gu

Dragon bones

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The fossilized bone or vertebrae
Role in Er Qing Gao
Long Gu treats abscesses by dispersing clumping and swelling and thrusting out pus. Together with other assistant herbs, it addresses stasis, clumps, swelling, and pain. When Heat is cleared and the Toxicity is resolved, the swelling is dispersed, and the pain is relieved.
View herb details
Bai Ji
Bai Ji

Bletilla rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root or Rhizome
Role in Er Qing Gao
Bai Ji treats abscesses by dispersing clumping and swelling and thrusting out pus. Together with other assistant herbs, it addresses stasis, clumps, swelling, and pain. When Heat is cleared and the Toxicity is resolved, the swelling is dispersed, and the pain is relieved.
View herb details
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi

Angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Er Qing Gao
Bai Zhi treats abscesses by dispersing clumping and swelling and thrusting out pus. Together with other assistant herbs, it addresses stasis, clumps, swelling, and pain. When Heat is cleared and the Toxicity is resolved, the swelling is dispersed, and the pain is relieved.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Er Qing Gao

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

Contraindications

Should not be used for open wounds

Herb-Drug Interactions

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