Formula Formulas that clear Wind-Heat

Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang

荆芥连翘汤

Also known as:

Schizonepeta and Forsythia Decoction

Formula Composition

Jing Jie
Jing Jie
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
Zhi Ke
Zhi Ke
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Dispels Wind
  2. Clears toxic-Heat
  3. Disperses Stagnation

Patterns Treated

Wind-Heat

Historical Origin

Wondrous Lantern for Peering into the Origin and Development of Miscellaneous Diseases (1773 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang

Main Actions

Dispels Wind
Clears toxic-Heat
Disperses Stagnation

Key TCM Concepts

Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang is a 13-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) and Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1773 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Wind-Heat. Its main actions are: 1) dispels Wind and 2) clears toxic-Heat.

 

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 Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as rhinitis, tonsillitis or facial acne for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Heat

Common Applications

Rhinitis Tonsillitis Facial acne Otitis media Allergic rhinitis Conjunctivitis Herpes simplex Dermatitis Tuberculosis Eczema Sinusitis Acne Alopecia Herpes zoster Urticaria Constipation

Ingredients in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Jing Jie
Jing Jie

Japanese catnip

Temperature Neutral
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Aerial portion and flowers, or the spikes only (in which case it is called Jing Jie Sui)
Role in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
In general Jing Jie's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold or Heat depending on the other herbs used. Releases the Exterior for measles. Stops bleeding. Abates swellings."

In the context of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, it is used because it releases pathogens from the Exterior and dispel Wind.
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Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao

Forsythia fruits

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried fruit
Role in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Lian Qiao releases pathogens from the Exterior and dispel Wind with Japanese catnip. It also resolves toxic-Heat by dispersing toxin accumulation.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."

In the context of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, it is used because it helps the formula in treating the Heat disorders that center around the Lesser Yang Channels.
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Chai Hu
Chai Hu

Bupleurum roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
In general Chai Hu's main actions are as follows: "Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang."

In the context of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, it is used because it helps the formula in treating the Heat disorders that center around the Lesser Yang Channels.
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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 Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
In general Huang Qin's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome."

In the context of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, it is used because it helps the key herbs in clearing Toxic-Heat.
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Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."

In the context of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, it is used because it moves and nourishes the Blood. It is used to treat Blood Stagnation.
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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."

In the context of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, it is used because it moves and nourishes the Blood with Szechuan lovage root. It is used to treat Blood Stagnation.
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Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi

Angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
In general Bai Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind. Disperses Wind and Cold from the Yang Brightness channels. Relieves Wind-Damp Cold painful obstruction. Dries Dampness and pus and reduces swelling. Opens the nasal passages."

In the context of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, it is used because it disperses accumulations and also thrusts out pus.
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Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
In general Jie Geng's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Burner. "

In the context of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, it is used because it disperses accumulations and thrust out pus along with Angelica root and Bitter orange.
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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 Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Zhi Ke disperses accumulations and thrust out the pus along with Angelica root and Platycodon root, the other two assistant herbs.
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Fang Feng
Fang Feng

Saposhnikovia roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Fang Feng relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. It also relieves painful obstruction due toWind-Damp-Cold.
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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 Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the effects of the other ingredients present in the formula.
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Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi

Cape jasmine fruits

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Lungs, Sanjiao, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Zhi Zi helps the key herbs in clearing Toxic-Heat with the Baikal Skullcap Root. Their effects are on the body's surface.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula can only be used short-term as some of its herbs can drain and disperse Qi. For patients with Deficiency patterns, the formula needs to be changed to avoid harming Qi and Blood.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Jing Jie Lian Qiao 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.