Chinese: 清瘟败毒饮
Pinyin: Qīng Wēn Bài Dú Yǐn
Other names: Clear Epidemics and Overcome Toxicity Drink
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: PyemiaMeningitisSepticemia and three other conditions
- Drains Fire
- Resolves Toxicity
- Dries Dampness
Contraindications: Contraindicated for patients with Yang Deficiency or Spleen and Stomach... Contraindicated for patients with Yang Deficiency or Spleen and Stomach Deficiency. see more
Source date: 1794 AD
Source book: Achievements Regarding Epidemic Rashes
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 Wen Bai Du Yin is a 14-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Gypsum (Shi Gao) and Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1794 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity. Its main actions are: 1) drains Fire and 2) resolves Toxicity.
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.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis b or measles encephalitis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the fourteen ingredients in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin, we review the patterns and conditions that Qing Wen Bai Du Yin helps treat.
The fourteen ingredients in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin
Shi Gao is a king ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Gypsum (Shi Gao)
Part used: The mineral itself
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: LungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Shi Gao clears Heat from the Qi level according to the Four Level Theory. It especially clears the Heat in the Stomach, which is the Sea of foods and drinks. Once the Stomach Heat are gone, the body Heat can be reduced. It also helps to increase Body Fluids.
Zhi Mu is a king ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
In general Zhi Mu's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Qi level. Clears Heat and Fire from the Lung and Stomach. Clears Heat and tonifies the Yin."
In the context of Qing Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it clears Heat from the Qi level according to the Four Level Theory.
Di Huang is a deputy ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. 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 Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it clears Heat from the blood level according to the Four Levels Theory.
Huang Lian is a deputy ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. 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 Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it opens the Triple Burner by clearing Toxic-Heat.
Shui Niu Jiao is a deputy ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao)
Part used: The horn, as a powder or as thin scrapes
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: StomachHeartLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Shui Niu Jiao's main actions are as follows: "Cools the Blood, drains Fire and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears Heat and Fire and stops tremors and convulsions. Cools Fire and expels toxins."
In the context of Qing Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it clears Heat from the blood level according to the Four Levels Theory.
Zhi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
6. Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLungSanjiao
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
In general Zhi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory."
In the context of Qing Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it opens the Triple Burner by clearing Toxic-Heat.
Huang Qin is a deputy ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
7. 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 Qing Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it opens the Triple Burner by clearing Toxic-Heat.
Chi Shao is a deputy ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
8. Red Peony Roots (Chi Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: Liver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Chi Shao's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver."
In the context of Qing Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it clears Heat from the blood level according to the Four Levels Theory.
Mu Dan Pi is a deputy ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
9. 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 Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it clears Heat from the blood level according to the Four Levels Theory.
Jie Geng is an assistant ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
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 Qing Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it has an ascending action that direct the actions of the other ingredients upward.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Qing Wen Bai Du Yin. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
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 Qing Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it clears Heat from the Qi level according to the Four Level Theory.
12. 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 Qing Wen Bai Du Yin, it is used because it clears Heat from the blood level according to the Four Levels Theory.
14. Lophatherum Herbs (Dan Zhu Ye)
Part used: Dried stem and leaf
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartSmall intestineStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Dan Zhu Ye clears Heat from the Qi level according to the Four Level Theory. It also has an ascending action that direct the actions of the other ingredients upward.
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