Chinese: 清胃散
Pinyin: Qīng Wèi Sàn
Other names: Clear the Stomach Powder
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: GlossitisStomatitisPeriodontitis and one other condition
- Drains Stomach Fire
- Cools the Blood
- Nourishes the Yin
Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases with toothache due to Wind-Cold, or tooth and gum... Contraindicated in cases with toothache due to Wind-Cold, or tooth and gum problems due to Kidney Deficiency. see more
Source date: 1336 AD
Source book: Secrets from the Orchid Chamber
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 Wei San is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1336 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from the Organs. Its main actions are: 1) drains Stomach Fire and 2) cools the Blood.
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 Wei San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stomach Heat or Fire or Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as stomatitis, periodontitis or glossitis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the five ingredients in Qing Wei San, we review the patterns and conditions that Qing Wei San helps treat.
The five ingredients in Qing Wei San
Huang Lian is a king ingredient in Qing Wei San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. 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 Wei San, it is used because it attacks the Stomach Fire and drains the accumulation of Heat.
Sheng Ma is a deputy ingredient in Qing Wei San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Bugbane Rhizomes (Sheng Ma)
Sheng Ma raises and disperses the Heat and resolves toxicity. Discussion of Medicinal Properties, a Chinese medicine classic, lists it as a specific herb for toothache, ulcers, and festering sores in the mouth. Its synergy with Goldthread rhizome (Huang Lian) , the key herb in this formula, ensures that draining of Fire does not harm the Qi dynamic, and that the ascent of Yang does not further fan the rising Fire.
Mu Dan Pi is an assistant ingredient in Qing Wei San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
3. Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi)
Part used: Root barks
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
Mu Dan Pi works together with Unprepared Rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang), another assistant herb here, to cool the Blood and nourish the Yin.
Dang Gui is an assistant ingredient in Qing Wei San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
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 Wei San, it is used because it reduces swelling and alleviates pain by harmonizing the Blood.
5. 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."
Conditions and patterns for which Qing Wei San 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 Qing Wei San 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:
Stomatitis Periodontitis Glossitis Trigeminal neuralgia
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Qing Wei San treats stomatitis" for instance. Rather, Qing Wei San is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind stomatitis.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Qing Wei San.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Heat or Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red centre
Symptoms: Acne Nausea Dry mouth Dry stools Bad breath Mouth ulcers Constipation Irritability Painful gums Restlnessness Bleeding gums Swelling gums Intense thirst Feeling of heat Constant hunger Excessive hunger Frontal headache Sour regurgitation Desire for cold drinks Burning epigastric pain Vomiting of fluids soon after drinking
Qing Wei San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stomach Heat or Fire. This pattern leads to symptoms such as burning epigastric pain, intense thirst, desire for cold drinks and restlnessness. Patients with Stomach Heat or Fire typically exhibit rapid (Shu), slippery (Hua) or full (Shi) pulses as well as Red in the center with a dry thick yellow or dark yellow coating.
Stomach Fire indicates a true Excess of Heat in the Stomach, creating symptoms such as mouth ulcers, bad breath, intense thirst as well as strong desire for cold drinks and foods. The Blood in the Stomach Channel get rebellious due to the extreme Heat or Fire, so that it leaks out of vessels and... read more about Stomach Heat or Fire
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Fever Thirst Blister Red eyes Red face Toothache Headaches Dry mouth Dry throat Breast pain Breast heat Malar flush Breast lumps Restlessness Constipation Breast eczema Bleeding gums Swelling gums Breast redness Breast nodules Breast hardness Vomiting of food Breast distention Uneven milk supply Breast skin cracks Breast pus discharge Breast skin ichiness White spots on nipples Scanty clear urination
Qing Wei San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as toothache, headaches, breast distention and breast lumps. Patients with Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat typically exhibit floating (Fu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
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