Formula Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs

Xie Huang San

泻黄散

Also known as:

Drain the Yellow Powder

Formula Composition

Shi Gao
Shi Gao
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Huo Xiang
Huo Xiang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Stagnant Fire from the Spleen and Stomach

Patterns Treated

Stomach Heat or Fire

Historical Origin

Craft of Medicinal Treatment for Childhood Disease Pattern (1119 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Xie Huang San

Main Actions

Clears Stagnant Fire from the Spleen and Stomach

Key TCM Concepts

Xie Huang San is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Gypsum (Shi Gao) and Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1119 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from the Organs. Its main action is that it clears Stagnant Fire from the Spleen and Stomach.

 

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 Xie Huang San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stomach Heat or Fire. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as apthous ulcers or oral thrush for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Stomach Heat or Fire

Common Applications

Apthous ulcers Oral thrush

Ingredients in Xie Huang San

Detailed information about each herb in Xie Huang San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Envoys
Shi Gao
Shi Gao

Gypsum

Temperature Cold
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Xie Huang San
Shi Gao is acrid and cooling. It is one of the principal herbs for clearing Heat from the Middle Burner. Although it is the key ingredients, the dosage is relatively small. This is to prevent its cooling and descending actions from further constraining or bottling-up the Stagnant Fire.
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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 Xie Huang San
Zhi Zi drains Heat from all Triple Burners through the urine and enters the Heart to relieve irritability. Although it is the key ingredients, the dosage is relatively small. This is to prevent its cooling and descending actions from further constraining or bottling-up the Stagnant Fire.
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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 Xie Huang San
Fang Feng disperses the Stagnant Spleen Fire in accordance with the principle of treating Stagnant Fire by dispersing. If the condition is treated simply as a case of Stomach fire to be cleared and drained, and the dispersing action of this herb is omitted, there will be no improvement. Saposhnikovia root also supports the physiological ascending function of the Spleen Yang. The combination of Saposhnikovia root and the two key herbs drains Fire without injuring the Spleen and Stomach Yang, and disperse constraint without fanning pathological Fire.
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Huo Xiang
Huo Xiang

Korean mint

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Xie Huang San
Huo Xiang aromatically revives the Spleen. Working together with Saposhnikovia root, it restores the Qi mechanisms of the Spleen and Stomach and assists in dispersing the Stagnant Fire.
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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 Xie Huang San
Gan Cao regulate the Middle Burner, drain Fire, and harmonize the actions of the other ingredients in the formula.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Xie Huang 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, Xie Huang 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.