Formula Formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores

Wei Jing Tang

苇茎汤

Also known as:

Reed Decoction

Formula Composition

Lu Gen
Lu Gen
Yi Yi Ren
Yi Yi Ren
Dong Gua Zi
Dong Gua Zi
Tao Ren
Tao Ren
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King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears heat from the Lungs
  2. Transforms Phlegm
  3. Drives out Blood-Stagnation
  4. Discharges pus

Patterns Treated

Qi And Blood Stagnation, Wind-Heat entering the Lungs

Historical Origin

Records of Proven Formulas Past and Present (627 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Wei Jing Tang

Main Actions

Clears heat from the Lungs
Transforms Phlegm
Drives out Blood-Stagnation
Discharges pus

Key TCM Concepts

Wei Jing Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Common Reed Rhizomes (Lu Gen) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 627 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores. Its main actions are: 1) clears heat from the Lungs and 2) transforms Phlegm.

 

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 Wei Jing Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Qi And Blood Stagnation or Wind-Heat entering the Lungs. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as absence of menstruation, bronchitis or bronchiectasis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Qi And Blood Stagnation
  • Wind-Heat entering the Lungs

Common Applications

Absence of menstruation Bronchitis Bronchiectasis Pneumonia Pertussis Asthmatic bronchitis

Ingredients in Wei Jing Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Wei Jing Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Lu Gen
Lu Gen

Common reed rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh or dried rhizome
Role in Wei Jing Tang
Lu Gen clears Heat from the Lungs. In Encountering the Sources of the Classic of Materia Medica, the 17th-century physician Zhang Lu wrote that it "specializes in facilitating passage through the orifices and thus is good at treating Lung abscess."
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Yi Yi Ren
Yi Yi Ren

Job's tears

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe kernel
Role in Wei Jing Tang
Yi Yi Ren clears Heat from the Lungs and disperses pus from the upper parts of the body. It also leaches out Dampness and helps restore proper function to the Intestines, thereby providing an outlet for Dampness and Heat through the urine.
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Dong Gua Zi
Dong Gua Zi

Wax gourd seeds

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used The seeds, dried
Role in Wei Jing Tang
In general Dong Gua Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat, expels Phlegm, expels pus and moistens the Lungs. Clears Heat and drains Dampness."

In the context of Wei Jing Tang, it is used because it clears and transforms Phlegm-Heat, resolves Dampness and eliminates pus.
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Tao Ren
Tao Ren

Peach kernels

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Large Intestine, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Wei Jing Tang
Tao Ren invigorates the Blood and eliminates Blood Stagnation, which reduces the clumping and thereby breaks up the abscess.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wei Jing 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

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Wei Jing 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.