Formula Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and preserve Body Fluids

Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang

吴氏连梅汤

Also known as:

Master Wu's Coptis and Mume Decoction

Formula Composition

Huang Lian
Huang Lian
Wu Mei
Wu Mei
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
Di Huang
Di Huang
E Jiao
E Jiao
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King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Drains Heat
  2. Preserves Body Fluids
  3. Transforms Yin

Patterns Treated

Summer-Heat entering the Lesser Yin and Terminal Yin warps

Historical Origin

Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang

Main Actions

Drains Heat
Preserves Body Fluids
Transforms Yin

Key TCM Concepts

Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1798 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and preserve Body Fluids. Its main actions are: 1) drains Heat and 2) preserves Body Fluids.

 

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 Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Summer-Heat entering the Lesser Yin and Terminal Yin warps. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as supraventricular tachycardia or diabetes for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Summer-Heat entering the Lesser Yin and Terminal Yin warps

Common Applications

Supraventricular tachycardia Diabetes

Ingredients in Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
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 Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang
Huang Lian is bitter and cold. It enters the Heart to drain pathogenic Summer-Heat, removing the root cause of this pathology. Combitnation of Chinese plum and Goldthread rhizome is well established in Chinese materia medica. Goldthread rhizome drains the Heat without injuring the normal Qi, while it also prevents the restraining action of Chinese plum from improperly retaining the pathogenic Heat in the body. Furthermore, the bitterness of Goldthread rhizome, focuses the sourness of Chinese plum on the Yin aspect of the fluids that were damaged within the Lesser Yin.
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Wu Mei
Wu Mei

Chinese plums

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sour
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang
Wu Mei is sour, astringent, and warm. It enters the Stomach to generate Yang Body Fluids and stop the thirst. Thus it is a specific herb for treating wasting and thirsting. Combitnation of Chinese plum and Goldthread rhizome is well established in Chinese materia medica. Goldthread rhizome drains the Heat without injuring the normal Qi, while it also prevents the restraining action of Chinese plum from improperly retaining the pathogenic Heat in the body. Furthermore, the bitterness of Goldthread rhizome, focuses the sourness of Chinese plum on the Yin aspect of the fluids that were damaged within the Lesser Yin.
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Mai Dong
Mai Dong

Dwarf lilyturf roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang
Mai Dong is sweet and cooling. It tonifies the water to stop the thirst and extinguish the Wind. Its sweetness is restrained by the sourness of Chinese plum and guided toward transformation into Yin.
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Di Huang
Di Huang

Unprepared Rehmannia

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang
Sheng Di Huang is sweet and cooling. It tonifies the water to stop the thirst and extinguish the Wind. Its sweetness is restrained by the sourness of Chinese plum and guided toward transformation into Yin.
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E Jiao
E Jiao

Donkey-hide gelatin

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Solid glue prepared from the dried or fresh skin of donkeys
Role in Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang
E Jiao tonifies the Blood and increases the Yin Body Fluids. It also softens the Liver to extinguish the Wind and assisting the Kidneys to govern the water. It is black in color and sinking in nature, also serves as an envoy that guides the formula into the Interior and the Lesser Yin and Terminal Yin Stage.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula is contraindicated for summer-heat damage without severe loss of Body Fluids. The presence of thirst, irritability, and restlessness are not indications unless they are accompanied by a submerged and thin pulse, a dry, cracked tongue, or other signs of wasting.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Wu Shi Lian Mei 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.