Formula Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs

Xie Qing Wan

泻青丸

Also known as:

Drain the Green Pill

Formula Composition

Long Dan Cao
Long Dan Cao
Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Da Huang
Da Huang
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Dan Zhu Ye
Dan Zhu Ye
Feng Mi
Feng Mi
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears the Liver and drains Fire

Patterns Treated

Liver Fire Blazing

Historical Origin

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

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Xie Qing Wan

Main Actions

Clears the Liver and drains Fire

Key TCM Concepts

Xie Qing Wan is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) and Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) 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 the Liver and drains Fire .

 

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 Qing Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Fire Blazing. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as vascular headaches, herpes zoster or insomnia for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Liver Fire Blazing

Common Applications

Vascular Headaches Herpes zoster Insomnia Panophthalmitis Hypertensive Headaches

Ingredients in Xie Qing Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Xie Qing Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Long Dan Cao
Long Dan Cao

Chinese Gentian

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Xie Qing Wan
In general Long Dan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Clears Liver-Fire. Clears Liver-Wind."

In the context of Xie Qing Wan, it is used because it is bitter and cold. It enters into the Liver Channel and drains its Fire..
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Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo

Notopterygium roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried rhizome and root
Role in Xie Qing Wan
Qiang Huo is a Wind herb. Such herbs resonate with the wood phase and have ability to empower the out-thrusting and ascending nature of Liver Qi. In the present context, they are used for treating Fire constraint by discharging it.
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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 Qing Wan
Zhi Zi guides the Liver Fire downward to eliminate it via the bowels and urinary tract. When Fire becomes constrained and clumps in the Liver Channel, the Liver loses its ability to thrust out the body's Qi.
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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 Xie Qing Wan
Da Huang guides the Liver Fire downward to eliminate it via the bowels and urinary tract. When Fire becomes constrained and clumps in the Liver Channel, the Liver loses its ability to thrust out the body's Qi.
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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 Qing Wan
Fang Feng is a Wind herb. Such herbs resonate with the wood phase and have ability to empower the out-thrusting and ascending nature of Liver Qi. In the present context, they are used for treating Fire constraint by discharging it.
View herb details
Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Xie Qing Wan
Dang Gui nourishes and moves the Liver Blood, preventing Fire from damaging the Yin. This is necessary because the Liver is 'Yin in Essence' and tends toward 'hardness.' Unless the Liver Blood is strong and soft, the Liver Qi cannot be controlled.
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Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Xie Qing Wan
Chuan Xiong nourishes and moves the Liver Blood, preventing Fire from damaging the Yin. This is necessary because the Liver is 'Yin in Essence' and tends toward 'hardness.' Unless the Liver Blood is strong and soft, the Liver Qi cannot be controlled.
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Dan Zhu Ye
Dan Zhu Ye

Lophatherum herbs

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Small Intestine, Stomach
Parts Used Dried stem and leaf
Role in Xie Qing Wan
In general Dan Zhu Ye's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and aids thirst. Aids urination and drains Damp-Heat."

In the context of Xie Qing Wan, it is used because it clears Heart Fire and dispels restlessness and irritability by guiding Heat outvia the urine.
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Feng Mi
Feng Mi

Honey

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine, Lungs
Parts Used Honey
Role in Xie Qing Wan
Feng Mi is used to make the pills, and the sugar dissolved in the decoction. It relaxes the Liver and harmonizes the formula with it sweetness.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Xie Qing Wan

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated in those with a weak and deficient Spleen and Stomach.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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