Chinese: 普济消毒饮
Pinyin: Pǔ Jì Xiāo Dú Yǐn
Other names: Universal Benefit Drink to Eliminate Toxin
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: FurunclesCarbunclesParotiditis and eight other conditions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Clears Wind-Heat
Contraindications: The formula should be used with caution in treating those with Yin Deficiency,... The formula should be used with caution in treating those with Yin Deficiency, as herbs in this formula are bitter or acrid and have dispersing properties, see more
Source date: 1202 AD
Source book: Dong-Yuan's Tried and Tested Formulas
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin is a 14-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) and Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1202 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity. Its main actions are: 1) clears Toxic-Heat and 2) clears Wind-Heat .
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 Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Heat or Toxic-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as furuncles, carbuncles or parotiditis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the fourteen ingredients in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, we review the patterns and conditions that Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin helps treat.
The fourteen ingredients in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Huang Qin is a king ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLungSmall intestineSpleen
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
In general Huang Qin's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome."
In the context of Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it clear and drain the Toxic-Heat from the Upper Burner.
Huang Lian is a king ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLiverSpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
In general Huang Lian's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites"
In the context of Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it clear and drain the Toxic-Heat from the Upper Burner.
Niu Bang Zi is a deputy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi)
In general Niu Bang Zi's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Heat. Allows the release of toxicity from the surface and clears Heat. Reduces swelling and clears pathogenic Heat. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieves sore throat."
In the context of Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it disperse Wind-Heat from the Upper Burner, head, and face.
Lian Qiao is a deputy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao)
In general Lian Qiao's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and toxicity from the Blood. Dispels External Wind-Heat. Reduces lumps, swollen lymph nodes and sores of a Heated nature."
In the context of Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it disperse Wind-Heat from the Upper Burner, head, and face.
Bo He is a deputy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Wild Mint (Bo He)
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 Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it disperse Wind-Heat from the Upper Burner, head, and face.
Jiang Can is a deputy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
6. Silkworms (Jiang Can)
Part used: the whole worm
Nature: Neutral
Category: Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
In general Jiang Can's main actions are as follows: "Antispasmodic, subdues Internal Wind. Expels Wind and stops pain. Clears Toxins and dissipates nodules. "
In the context of Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it is acrid and neutral. It disperse Wind-Heat from the Upper Burner, head, and face.
Xuan Shen is a deputy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
7. Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: Large intestineLiverStomach
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Xuan Shen's main actions are as follows: "Expels true or Internal Heat and cools the Blood. Tonifies the Yin. Reduces inflammations and drains Fire toxicity. Reduces hard nodules, especially associated with the lymph."
In the context of Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it clear Heat from the throat and relieve the Toxic-Fire there.
Ma Bo is a deputy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
8. Puffball (Ma Bo)
In general Ma Bo's main actions are as follows: "Clears Lung Fire and benefits the throat. Stops bleeding when applied externally. "
In the context of Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it clear Heat from the throat and relieve the Toxic-Fire there.
Ban Lan Gen is a deputy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
9. Woad Roots (Ban Lan Gen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: StomachLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Ban Lan Gen's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and Fire toxicity. Cools the Blood. Dispels Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner."
In the context of Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it clear Heat from the throat and relieve the Toxic-Fire there.
Jie Geng is a deputy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
10. Platycodon Roots (Jie Geng)
In general Jie Geng's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Warmer."
In the context of Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it clear Heat from the throat and relieve the Toxic-Fire there.
Gan Cao is a deputy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
11. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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 Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, it is used because it clear Heat from the throat and relieve the Toxic-Fire there.
Ju Hong is an assistant ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
12. Red Tangerine Peel (Ju Hong)
Ju Hong regulates the Qi to ensure the free flow of Blood and Qi and thereby prevent the pathogenic influences from Stagnation. This helps to reduce toxic swelling.
Chai Hu is an envoy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
13. Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu)
Chai Hu raises the Yang, disperses Wind-Heat, and conducts the other ingredients to the head. It is also effective in dispersing Fire stagnation.
Sheng Ma is an envoy ingredient in Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
14. Bugbane Rhizomes (Sheng Ma)
Sheng Ma raises the Yang, disperses Wind-Heat, and conducts the other ingredients to the head. It is also effective in dispersing Fire stagnation.
Conditions and patterns for which Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Furuncles Carbuncles Parotiditis Tonsillitis Lymphadenditis Upper respiratory tract infections in children Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis Acute icteric hepatitis Infectious mononucleosis Hepatomegaly Viral myocarditis
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin treats furuncles" for instance. Rather, Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind furuncles.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin.
'Heat' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Heat pattern in Chinese Medicine
Wind-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Floating (Fu)
Symptoms: Fever Chills Thirst Sneezing Coughing Sweating Headaches Runny nose Sore throat Yellow mucus Fear of wind Blocked nose Itchy throat Swollen tonsils Aversion to cold Occipital stiffness Occipital headaches
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Wind-Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as aversion to cold, fever, sneezing and coughing. Patients with Wind-Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or floating (Fu) pulses.
Within the Four-Levels theory, Wind-Heat is the first level of invasion of External Pathogens, when it still resides in the body's Exterior.
This pattern is similar to Wind-Cold, but the Wind is together with Heat rather than Cold. The common symptoms are aversion to cold, sneezing, coughing, runny... read more about Wind-Heat
'Heat' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Heat pattern in Chinese Medicine
Toxic-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Pus Fever Boils Sores Eczema Thirst Pustule Coughing Erythema Swellings Carbuncles Dark Urine Sore throat Mouth ulcers Constipation Abdominal pain Swollen tonsils Feeling of heat Lower back pain Perineum swollen Prostate swollen Testicle swollen Red skin eruptions Shortness of breath Yellow vaginal discharge Smelly Vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge Bloody vaginal discharge Five colour vaginal discharge
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Toxic-Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as fever, swellings, pus and boils. Patients with Toxic-Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) pulses as well as Red tongue with yellow coating.
There are two types of Toxic-Heat. One type is called Toxic-Heat Stagnation, which mainly happens in Channels or other surfaces like skins, throat, lymph or mouth. The symptoms include pain, redness and swollen in throat as well as skin pustule and rush. Acne during teenage time is mainly due to... read more about Toxic-Heat
Formulas similar to Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Qing Xin Li Ge Tang is 57% similar to Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Qing Wen Bai Du Yin is 43% similar to Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang is 41% similar to Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Yin Qiao San is 36% similar to Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang is 36% similar to Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Ren Shen Bai Du San is 29% similar to Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin