Chinese: 竹叶石膏汤
Pinyin: Zhú Yè Shí Gāo Tāng
Other names: Lophatherum and Gypsum Decoction
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: MeaslesDiabetesPneumonia and eleven other conditions
- Clears Heat
- Generates Body Fluids
- Strengthens and regulates Qi
Contraindications: This formula is not appropriate for febrile diseases where both the normal and... This formula is not appropriate for febrile diseases where both the normal and pathogenic Qi are abundant, when the fever remains high, or when the Qi and Yin have not yet been injured. see more
Source date: 220 AD
Source book: Discussion of Cold Damage
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.
Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Gypsum (Shi Gao) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Qi-level Heat. Its main actions are: 1) clears Heat and 2) generates Body Fluids.
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 pneumonia, encephalitis b or meningitis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seven ingredients in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang helps treat.
The seven ingredients in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang
Shi Gao is a king ingredient in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang. 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 is cold in nature and it clears lurking Heat from the Lungs and Stomach. Its acrid flavor vents pathogenic Heat to the Exterior and helps to invigorate Qi Its sweetness generates Body Fluids and stops thirst.
Dan Zhu Ye is a deputy ingredient in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. 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 is sweet, bland and cold. It enters into the Lung, Heart and Stomach Channels. It clears Stagnant Heat through the urine but also vents it from the Upper Burner.
Ren Shen is a deputy ingredient in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Ren Shen , working together with Dwarf lilyturf root， moistens the Lungs and nourishes the Yin, benefits the Stomach and generates Body Fluids, as well as clears Heat from the Heart and eliminates irritability.
Mai Dong is a deputy ingredient in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Part used: Dried root tuber
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartLungStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Mai Dong , working together with Ginseng, moistens the Lungs and nourishes the Yin, benefits the Stomach and generates Body Fluids, as well as clears Heat from the Heart and eliminates irritability.
Gan Cao is a deputy ingredient in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao , together with Rice sprouts, serves two Functions. They assist Ginseng in tonifying the Qi, and they harmonize the Middle Burner and nourish the Stomach, thereby protecting the Stomach against injury from Gypsum.
Ban Xia is an assistant ingredient in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Part used: Dried rhizome and tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Ban Xia directs rebellious Qi downward and thereby stops the vomiting. It is a warm and acrid herb and may therefore appear to be inappropriate in this formula. However, in concert with the Heat-clearing and Fluid-generating ingredients, it invigorates the Spleen Qi and reduces the Stagnation properties of Dwarf lilyturf root.
Jing Mi is an envoy ingredient in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
7. Rice Sprouts (Jing Mi)
Part used: Seed kernels
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Jing Mi , together with Liquorice, serves two Functions. They assist Ginseng in tonifying the Qi, and they harmonize the Middle Burner and nourish the Stomach, thereby protecting the Stomach against injury from Gypsum.
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