Formula Formulas that clear Wind-Heat

Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang

竹叶柽柳汤

Also known as:

Lophatherum and Tamarisk Decoction

Formula Composition

Cheng Liu
Cheng Liu
Niu Bang Zi
Niu Bang Zi
Dan Zhu Ye
Dan Zhu Ye
Jing Jie
Jing Jie
Ge Gen
Ge Gen
Chan Tui
Chan Tui
Bo He
Bo He
Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu
Xuan Shen
Xuan Shen
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Releases the Exterior
  2. Vents rashes
  3. Clears
  4. Generates Body Fluids

Patterns Treated

Wind-Heat

Historical Origin

Extensive Notes on Medicine from the First-Awakened Studio (1613 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang

Main Actions

Releases the Exterior
Vents rashes
Clears
Generates Body Fluids

Key TCM Concepts

Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Tamarisk Twigs And Leaves (Cheng Liu) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1613 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Wind-Heat. Its main actions are: 1) releases the Exterior and 2) vents rashes.

 

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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as measles, chickenpox or herpes for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Heat

Common Applications

Measles Chickenpox Herpes

Ingredients in Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Cheng Liu
Cheng Liu

Tamarisk twigs and leaves

Temperature Neutral
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dry twigs and leaves
Role in Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Cheng Liu is acrid in taste, neutral in nature and ascending in action. It enters the Yang Brightness Channels and is used specifically for discharging and dispersing measles like rashes.
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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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Niu Bang Zi is acrid, cool, and moist. It opens up areas of constraint in the Exterior and the Lung collaterals, soothes the throat, resolves toxicity, vents rashes, and stops itching.
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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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Dan Zhu Ye clears Heat from the Heart via the urine. It thereby eliminates irritability but without damaging the Body Fluids, and prevents Toxic-Heat from sinking into the Pericardium.
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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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu 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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang, it is used because it releases the Exterior, disperse Fire from Stagnation, and facilitates the venting of toxins.
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Ge Gen
Ge Gen

Kudzu roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
In general Ge Gen's main actions are as follows: "Relieves muscle tension especially in the neck and shoulders. Relieves the Exterior and scatters Wind. Supports the Fluids and eases thirst. Assists in the expression of measles. Relieves diarrhea. Relieves hypertension."

In the context of Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang, it is used because it releases the Exterior, disperse Fire from Stagnation, and facilitates the venting of toxins.
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Chan Tui
Chan Tui

Cicada sloughs

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Salty
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dry Cicada slough
Role in Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
In general Chan Tui's main actions are as follows: "Clears Wind-Heat and benefits the throat. Allows the release of Toxins from the skin and relieves itching. Expels Wind and relieves spasms and convulsions associated with Heat. "

In the context of Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang, it is used because it releases the Exterior, disperse Fire from Stagnation, and facilitates the venting of toxins.
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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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu 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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang, it is used because it releases the Exterior, disperse Fire from Stagnation, and facilitates the venting of toxins.
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Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu

Anemarrhena rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Zhi Mu drains Heat from the Interior, generates Body Fluids, and thereby facilitate the venting of Toxin from the Nutritive and Protective Qi aspects.
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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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Xuan Shen drains Heat from the Interior, generates Body Fluids, and thereby facilitate the venting of Toxin from the Nutritive and Protective Qi aspects.
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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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Mai Dong drains Heat from the Interior, generates Body Fluids, and thereby facilitate the venting of Toxin from the Nutritive and Protective Qi aspects.
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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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu 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 Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang, it is used because it clears Heat, resolves Toxicity, and harmonizes the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang

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

Contraindications

Because of the strong Heat-clearing properties of this formula, it should only be used where Heat from excess is actively damaging the Body Fluids. For this purpose, it contains bitter, cold, and sweet herbs that inhibit the Qi dynamic. This may prevent the venting of toxins and rashes to the outside, if prescribed inappropriately.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Zhu Ye Cheng Liu 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.