Formula Formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores

Qing Xin Li Ge Tang

清心利膈汤

Also known as:

Clear the Heart and Enable the Diaphragm Decoction

Formula Composition

Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Jing Jie
Jing Jie
Bo He
Bo He
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao
Niu Bang Zi
Niu Bang Zi
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Huang Lian
Huang Lian
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Xuan Shen
Xuan Shen
Da Huang
Da Huang
Mang Xiao
Mang Xiao
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Toxic-Heat
  2. Unblocks the stool
  3. Benefits the throat

Patterns Treated

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs

Historical Origin

Indispensable Tools for Pattern Treatment (1602 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Qing Xin Li Ge Tang

Main Actions

Clears Toxic-Heat
Unblocks the stool
Benefits the throat

Key TCM Concepts

Qing Xin Li Ge Tang is a 13-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng), Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) and Wild Mint (Bo He) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1602 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores. Its main actions are: 1) clears Toxic-Heat and 2) unblocks the stool.

 

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 Xin Li Ge Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as tonsillitis, peritonsillar abscess or epiglottitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs

Common Applications

Tonsillitis Peritonsillar abscess Epiglottitis

Ingredients in Qing Xin Li Ge Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Qing Xin Li Ge Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Fang Feng
Fang Feng

Saposhnikovia roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
In general Fang Feng's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Disperses Wind."

In the context of Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it is acrid and cool. It disperses clumped Heat and clear pathogenic Heat.
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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 Qing Xin Li Ge 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 Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it is acrid and cool. It disperses clumped Heat and clear pathogenic Heat.
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Bo He
Bo He

Wild mint

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
In general Bo He's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind-Heat. Clears Wind-Heat from the head, eyes and throat. Allows the release of toxins from the skin. Moves Stagnant Liver Qi"

In the context of Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it is acrid and cool. It disperses clumped Heat and clear pathogenic Heat.
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Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Qing Xin Li Ge 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 Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it work with Wild mint to resolve Toxicity and disperse clumps, and to clear the throat.
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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 Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
In general Lian Qiao's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and toxicity from the Blood. Dispels External Wind-Heat. Reduces lumps, swollen lymph nodes and sores of a Heated nature."

In the context of Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it is acrid and cool. It disperses clumped Heat and clear pathogenic Heat.
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Niu Bang Zi
Niu Bang Zi

Greater burdock fruits

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
In general Niu Bang Zi's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Heat. Allows the release of toxicity from the surface and clears Heat. Reduces swelling and clears pathogenic Heat. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieves sore throat."

In the context of Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it work with Wild mint to resolve Toxicity and disperse clumps, and to clear the throat.
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 Qing Xin Li Ge 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 Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it clear Toxic-Heat of the Lungs.
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Huang Lian
Huang Lian

Goldthread rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
In general Huang Lian's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites"

In the context of Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it clear Toxic-Heat of the Stomach.
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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 Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
In general Zhi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory."

In the context of Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it clear Toxic-Heat of the Heart.
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Xuan Shen
Xuan Shen

Ningpo figwort roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
In general Xuan Shen's main actions are as follows: "Expels true or Internal Heat and cools the Blood. Tonifies the Yin. Reduces inflammations and drains Fire toxicity. Reduces hard nodules, especially associated with the lymph."

In the context of Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it work with Wild mint to resolve Toxicity and disperse clumps, and to clear the throat.
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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 Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
Da Huang drains Fire by unblocking the stool. In this way, pathogenic Heat is dredged from the Exterior and cleared from the Interior, the clumped Heat is dispersed and drained, and the throat is cleared.
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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 Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
Mang Xiao drains Fire by unblocking the stool. In this way, pathogenic Heat is dredged from the Exterior and cleared from the Interior, the clumped Heat is dispersed and drained, and the throat is cleared.
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 Qing Xin Li Ge 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 Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, it is used because it work with Wild mint to resolve Toxicity and disperse clumps, and to clear the throat.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Qing Xin Li Ge Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated during pregnancy or for breastfeeding mother. Use with caution for young kids, the elderly, the debilitated or those with loose stools. Not for long term use.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Qing Xin Li Ge 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.