Formula Formulas that clear Heat from Deficiency

Qing Gu San

清骨散

Also known as:

Cool the Bones Powder

Formula Composition

Yin Chai Hu
Yin Chai Hu
Hu Huang Lian
Hu Huang Lian
Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu
Di Gu Pi
Di Gu Pi
Qing Hao
Qing Hao
Bie Jia
Bie Jia
Qin Jiao
Qin Jiao
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Heat from Deficiency
  2. Alleviates steaming bone disorder

Patterns Treated

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

Historical Origin

Indispensable Tools for Pattern Treatment (1602 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Qing Gu San

Main Actions

Clears Heat from Deficiency
Alleviates steaming bone disorder

Key TCM Concepts

Qing Gu San is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Stellaria Roots (Yin Chai Hu) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1602 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from Deficiency. Its main actions are: 1) clears Heat from Deficiency and 2) alleviates steaming bone disorder.

 

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 Qing Gu San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as tuberculosis or postwound fevers for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

Common Applications

Tuberculosis Postwound fevers

Ingredients in Qing Gu San

Detailed information about each herb in Qing Gu San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Yin Chai Hu
Yin Chai Hu

Stellaria Roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Root
Role in Qing Gu San
Yin Chai Hu is sweet and slightly cold. It reduces the fever from Yin Deficiency without any of the draining tendencies that could further injure Yin.
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Hu Huang Lian
Hu Huang Lian

Picrorhiza rhizomes

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver
Parts Used Rhizome
Role in Qing Gu San
Hu Huang Lian clears Heat from the Blood level. This is a principal substance for clearing Heat from Yin Deficiency and are especially useful in alleviating steaming bone disorder with sweating.
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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 Qing Gu San
Zhi Mu enriches the Yin and clears Heat from Kidney Yin Deficiency. This is a principal substance for clearing Heat from Yin Deficiency and are especially useful in alleviating steaming bone disorder with sweating.
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Di Gu Pi
Di Gu Pi

Goji tree root bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root bark
Role in Qing Gu San
Di Gu Pi clears lingering Heat from the Lungs above and Heat from Deficiency from the Liver and Kidneys below. This is a principal substance for clearing Heat from Yin Deficiency and are especially useful in alleviating steaming bone disorder with sweating.
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Qing Hao
Qing Hao

Sweet wormwood herbs

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Qing Gu San
Qing Hao drains Fire without injuring the Qi or Blood, and conducts Heat at the level of the bones outward to the level of the muscles and the Exterior.
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Bie Jia
Bie Jia

Softshell turtle shells

Temperature Neutral
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Carapace
Role in Qing Gu San
Bie Jia is salty and cold. It enriches the Yin , anchors the errant Yang, and conducts actions of the other herbs into Yin (deep) levels of body.
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Qin Jiao
Qin Jiao

Gentian roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Stomach, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Qing Gu San
Qin Jiao clears Heat from Yin Deficiency, especially from the Liver and Gallbladder. The combination of Softshell turtle shell and Sweet wormwood vents Heat externally. It make them particularly useful for treating steaming bone disorder without sweating.
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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 Qing Gu San
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 Qing Gu San, it is used because it harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and protects the Spleen and Stomach.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Qing Gu San

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

Herb-Drug Interactions

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