Formula Formulas that harmonize lesser Yang-warp disorders

Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang

蒿芩清胆汤

Also known as:

Sweet Wormwood and Scutellaria Decoction to Clear the Gallbladder

Formula Composition

Qing Hao
Qing Hao
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Zhu Ru
Zhu Ru
Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Zhi Ke
Zhi Ke
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Hua Shi
Hua Shi
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Qing Dai
Qing Dai
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder
  2. Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes
  3. Resolves Phlegm
  4. Harmonizes the Stomach

Patterns Treated

Gallbladder Heat, Phlegm, Heat in Gall Bladder

Historical Origin

Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold Damage (Qing Dynasty)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang

Main Actions

Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder
Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes
Resolves Phlegm
Harmonizes the Stomach

Key TCM Concepts

Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Sweet Wormwood Herbs (Qing Hao) and Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in Qing Dynasty, it belongs to the category of formulas that harmonize lesser Yang-warp disorders. Its main actions are: 1) clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder and 2) relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes.

 

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 Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Gallbladder Heat, Phlegm or Heat in Gall Bladder. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as cholecystitis, icteric hepatitis or pyelonephritis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Gallbladder Heat
  • Phlegm
  • Heat in Gall Bladder

Common Applications

Cholecystitis Icteric hepatitis Pyelonephritis Malaria Typhoid Pelvic inflammatory disease Pneumonia Leptospirosis Reflux gastritis Aural vertigo Hypertension Coronary artery disease

Ingredients in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Qing Hao
Qing Hao

Sweet wormwood herbs

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Qing Hao , together with Baikal skullcap root (Huang Qin), the other key herb in the formula, drain Damp Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder.
View herb details
Huang Qin
Huang Qin

Baikal skullcap roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Lungs, Small Intestine, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Huang Qin , together with Sweet wormwood herb, the other key herb in the formula, drain Damp Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder.
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Zhu Ru
Zhu Ru

Bamboo shavings

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried middle shavings
Role in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
In general Zhu Ru's main actions are as follows: "Clears Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs. Clears Heat in the Stomach and stops vomiting. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding."

In the context of Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang, it is used because it drains Heat from the Gallbladder and Stomach and stops the vomiting.
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Ban Xia
Ban Xia

Crow-dipper rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome and tuber
Role in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Ban Xia , together with Bitter orange and Tangerine peel (Chen Pi), other deputies of this formula, drains Gallbladder and Stomach Heat, directs rebellious Qi downward, harmonizes the Stomach, and transforms Phlegm.
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Zhi Ke
Zhi Ke

Bitter oranges

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sour
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Zhi Ke , together with Crow-dipper rhizome (Ban Xia) and Tangerine peel (Chen Pi), other deputies of this formula, drains Gallbladder and Stomach Heat, directs rebellious Qi downward, harmonizes the Stomach, and transforms Phlegm.
View herb details
Chen Pi
Chen Pi

Tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the ripe fruit
Role in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Chen Pi , together with Crow-dipper rhizome (Ban Xia) and Bitter orange, other deputies of this formula, drains Gallbladder and Stomach Heat, directs rebellious Qi downward, harmonizes the Stomach, and transforms Phlegm.
View herb details
Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Fu Ling , together with Liquorice (Gan Cao), Talc (Hua Shi) and Natural Indigo (Qing Dai), the other assistants in this formula, drain Damp Heat through the urine to break Stagnation in the Triple Burner.
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Hua Shi
Hua Shi

Talc

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Hua Shi , together with Liquorice (Gan Cao), Poria-cocos mushroom (Fu Ling) and Natural Indigo (Qing Dai), the other assistants in this formula, drain Damp Heat through the urine to break Stagnation in the Triple Burner.
View herb details
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Gan Cao , together with Talc (Hua Shi), Poria-cocos mushroom (Fu Ling) and Natural Indigo (Qing Dai), the other assistants in this formula, drain Damp Heat through the urine to break Stagnation in the Triple Burner.
View herb details
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 Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
In general Qing Dai's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat, resolves Fire toxicity and cools the Blood. Disperses Stagnation and reduces swelling. Drains Liver Fire, dispels Summer-Heat and extinguishes Wind to stop tremors."
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for Phlegm Damp cases due to Yang Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Hao Qin Qing Dan 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.