Chinese: 清热调血汤
Pinyin: Qīng Rè Diào Xiě Tāng
Other names: Clearing Heat and Regulating Blood Decoction
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Menstrual cramps
- Expel Dampness
- Relieve pain
- Move Qi and Blood
Source date: 1576 AD
Source book: Medical Mirror of Past and Present
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.
Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) and Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1576 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness. Its main actions are: 1) expel Dampness and 2) relieve pain.
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 Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Damp-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menstrual cramps for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the ten ingredients in Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang helps treat.
The ten ingredients in Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang
Mu Dan Pi is a king ingredient in Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi)
Part used: Root barks
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Mu Dan Pi's main actions are as follows: "Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis."
In the context of Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, it is used because it clears Heat and cools Blood.
Di Huang is a king ingredient in Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Di Huang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes."
In the context of Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, it is used because it clears Heat and cools Blood.
3. 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 Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, it is used because it resolves Damp Heat.
4. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."
In the context of Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, it is used because it harmonizes Blood.
5. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
In the context of Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, it is used because it harmonizes Blood.
6. Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."
In the context of Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood.
7. Safflowers (Hong Hua)
In general Hong Hua's main actions are as follows: "Moves Stagnant Blood and regulates menses. Relieves pain caused by Blood Stasis."
In the context of Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood.
8. Peach Kernels (Tao Ren)
Part used: Dried ripe seed
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: HeartLarge intestineLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Tao Ren's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing."
In the context of Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood.
9. Corydalis Tubers (Yan Hu Suo)
Part used: Dried tuber
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiverLung
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Yan Hu Suo's main actions are as follows: "Moves the Blood, breaks Blood Stagnation and reduces associated pain. Regulates Stagnant Qi and reduces associated pain."
In the context of Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, it is used because it moves Qi, stops pain and invigorates Blood.
10. Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSanjiaoSpleen
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Xiang Fu's main actions are as follows: "Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain."
In the context of Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang, it is used because it moves Qi and stops pain.
Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang is used to treat Damp-Heat
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 Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang is mostly used to treat the pattern "Damp-Heat" which we describe below.
But before we delve into Damp-Heat it is worth mentioning that it is often associated with the condition "menstrual cramps". Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang treats menstrual cramps". Rather, Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang is used to treat Damp-Heat, which is sometimes the root cause behind menstrual cramps.
Now let's look at Damp-Heat, a pattern that TCM practitioners commonly treat with Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang.
'Heat' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Heat pattern in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
Symptoms: Acne Fever Thirst Fatigue Hot body Headaches No thirst Dry mouth Dizziness Red urine Joint pain Heavy head Late period Restlessness Loose stools Heavy periods Poor appetite Chest pressure Feeling of heat Sore lower back Vaginal itching Aversion to cold Frequent sighing Vaginal discharge Abdominal fullness Frequent urination Swollen neck glands Abdominal tightness Sore and weak limbs Feeling of heaviness Lower abdominal pain Scanty dark urination Thick menstrual blood Scanty and dark urine Trichomonas infection Irregular menstruation Thermophilus infection Feeling of bearing down Purplish menstrual blood Smelly Vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge Sticky taste in the mouth Bitter taste in the mouth Small clots in menstrual blood Yellow or brown vaginal discharge Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Damp-Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as fever, swollen neck glands, headaches and stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium. Patients with Damp-Heat typically exhibit soggy (Ru) pulses.
Within the Four-Levels theory, Damp-Heat is the first level of invasion of External Pathogens, when it still resides in the body's Exterior.
The general symptoms of Damp-Heat are the heaviness of the body and head as well as low temperature fever rising in the afternoon. The patients are not hot on... read more about Damp-Heat
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