Qing Wen Baidu Yin

Qing Wen Baidu Yin

From “Yi Zhen Yi De”

[Composition] Coptis chinensis: 6 grams; Scutellaria baicalensis: 6 grams; Forsythia suspensa: 10 grams; Paeonia suffruticosa root: 6 grams; Scrophularia ningpoensis: 10 grams; Forsythia suspensa: 15 grams; Licorice: 6 grams; Rehmannia glutinosa: 12 grams; Rhizoma Bupleuri: 6 grams; Paeonia lactiflora: 6 grams; Anemarrhena asphodeloides: 6 grams; Platycodon grandiflorus: 10 grams; Gypsum: 30 grams; Bamboo leaf: 6 grams

[Administration] First boil the gypsum until it reaches a high temperature, then add all the other herbs and grind Rhizoma Bupleuri into juice before taking the mixture.

[Indication] Heat invading the qi, both qi and blood being burned.

[Indications] Severe feverish heat, thirst, profuse sweating, delirium, restless behavior, red rashes caused by poison, vomiting, nosebleeds, bloody stools, a red and dark tongue with little coating, and a deep, fine or even rapid pulse.

[Function] Clear heat and detoxify, nourish yin and cool the blood.

[Formula Explanation] When heat invades the qi, severe feverish heat and thirst, profuse sweating, and a rapid pulse appear. When heat enters the blood vessels, restlessness and delirium, blood rashes, vomiting, nosebleeds, bloody stools, and a red and dark tongue with little coating appear. The root cause of this condition lies in heat invading the qi; the formula uses gypsum to clear heat and detoxify the qi, while Rhizoma Bupleuri and Rehmannia glutinosa cool the blood and nourish yin in the blood vessels, working together to clear heat and detoxify while nourishing yin. The formula's main function is to clear heat and detoxify, while also cooling the blood and dispersing blood, making it ideal for treating blood-related heat. The formula's key ingredients—Gypsum, Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Forsythia suspensa, Scrophularia ningpoensis, and Platycodon grandiflorus—clear heat and detoxify, preventing toxins from developing, and serving as adjunct treatments. Paeonia suffruticosa root and Red Peony root cool the blood and activate blood, helping to address blood-related issues. Licorice harmonizes the herbs, acting as a “guiding” agent.

[Clinical Additions and Subtractions]

① If the rash appears bluish-purple and tightly bound, indicating extreme stomach heat and stagnation of qi and blood, add Purple Herb, Red Flower, and Angelica Root to activate blood and clear heat.

② If the heat is severe and the rash breaks out, combine with An Gong Niu Huang Wan and Zi Xue Dan to open the channels and release heat.

③ If the rash does not heal quickly and is accompanied by abdominal fullness and pain, along with constipation, this indicates internal excess and obstruction of qi flow. In such cases, combine with the Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang.

④ If heat damages the tendons and muscles, causing twitching, remove Platycodon grandiflorus and add Chrysanthemum and Gentiana to clear heat and cool the liver.

[References]

① “These twelve herbs are used to clear heat from the meridians… The gypsum is used extensively, directly entering the stomach meridian to spread heat throughout the twelve meridians, thereby reducing excessive heat. Combined with Coptis chinensis, Rhizoma Bupleuri, and Scutellaria baicalensis, the fire in the heart and lungs is released in the upper jiao; Paeonia suffruticosa root and Red Peony root clear the fire in the liver meridian, saving the water that is about to run dry; Platycodon grandiflorus and Bamboo leaf carry the herbs upward; and Licorice harmonizes the herbs, acting as a “guiding” agent.”

② This formula, with additions and modifications, was used to treat primary thrombocytopenic purpura in 10 cases. All patients had platelet counts below 80,000/mm³, with 5 cases having platelet counts below 60,000/mm³. Treatment results showed 6 cases recovered completely, 4 cases showed marked improvement, and no cases died. For cases with severe heat, use Zi Xue Dan or Antelope Horn; for cases with heavy bleeding, add San Qi Powder or Yunnan White Medicine. (Chinese Medicine Magazine, 1963.11)

[Commentary] This formula is often used for severe influenza, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, dysentery, epidemic hemorrhagic fever, septicemia, and other conditions.

IV. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying

Heat easily transforms into toxicity; the clinical manifestations of toxicity include boils, abscesses, ulcers, gangrene, mumps, and parotitis. These conditions arise from the accumulation of heat; as the ancient saying goes, “Dispersion leads to fire, accumulation leads to toxicity,” meaning that while heat accumulates, it can still be scattered throughout the body, manifesting as severe fever, thirst, restlessness, and vomiting, nosebleeds, and skin rashes. The method of clearing heat and detoxifying is specifically designed for these conditions. When heat becomes toxic, it is important to consider whether the issue lies in the qi or the blood; for qi-related heat, use herbs that clear fire, while for blood-related heat, use herbs that cool the blood. Commonly used herbs include Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Phellodendron amurense, Gypsum, Forsythia suspensa, Indigofera tinctoria, Raíz de Senna, Scrophularia ningpoensis, and Taraxacum mongolicum to clear heat and detoxify. Representative formulas include Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin and Huang Lian Jie Du Tang.