Qingying Tang

Qingying Tang

From “Wenbing Tiao Bian”

[Composition] Bamboo leaf core: 3 grams; Salvia miltiorrhiza: 6 grams; Rhinoceros horn: 9 grams; Forsythia fruit: 9 grams; Coptis chinensis: 4.5 grams; Honeysuckle flower: 9 grams; Rehmannia root: 15 grams; Black-rooted rehmannia: 9 grams; Mai Dong: 9 grams

[Administration] Decocted in water and taken orally.

[Indication] Heat invading the heart and blood.

[Indications] Fever, thirst, confusion, delirium, irritability and insomnia, faint red rashes, a red and dark tongue with little coating, and a fine, rapid pulse.

[Function] Clearing the heart and cooling the blood.

[Explanation] When heat invades the heart and blood, it consumes yin and harms the spirit. Symptoms include fever, thirst, confusion, delirium, irritability and insomnia, a red and dark tongue with little coating, and a fine, rapid pulse. When heat enters the blood, it approaches the blood vessels, causing faint red rashes. In this formula, rhinoceros horn directly enters the blood and heart, effectively clearing the heart and cooling the blood as its primary function. When heat enters the heart and blood, it primarily damages yin and consumes fluids; Rehmannia root, black-rooted rehmannia, and Mai Dong help replenish yin and nourish the body, providing support to the main formula. As the ancient saying goes, “Dispersion leads to heat, accumulation leads to toxicity,” and when heat becomes toxic, it is especially important to clear heat and detoxify simultaneously—only then can we achieve twice the result with half the effort. Forsythia flower, Forsythia fruit, Coptis chinensis, and Honeysuckle flower are all powerful agents for clearing heat and detoxifying, and when combined with rhinoceros horn, their effects on clearing heat and detoxifying become even more pronounced, making them ideal for complementary treatment. When heat enters the heart and blood, blood heat may lead to deficiency; Salvia miltiorrhiza enters the blood vessels, helping to nourish and activate blood circulation while also clearing blood. Bamboo leaf clears the internal fire in the heart and relieves discomfort, allowing heat to be expelled through urination—a practice known as “guiding and harmonizing.”

[Clinical Additions and Subtractions]

① If the patient already exhibits confusion, delirium, or limb paralysis, it indicates that the heat has entered the pericardium. In such cases, the patient may be treated with Niu Huang Wan or Zixue Dan. If convulsions are present, additional ingredients like Antelope Horn or Hook Vine can be added, or Zixue Dan can be used in conjunction.

② Adding rhinoceros horn, Danpi, Hook Vine, Licorice, and Earth Dragon can treat meningitis, scarlet fever, and Japanese encephalitis. If the patient experiences severe confusion and delirium, An Gong Niu Huang Wan or Zhi Bao Dan can be used in combination.

[References]

① “The Suwen says, ‘Heat invades the interior; treat it with salty and cold herbs, supplemented with sweet and bitter herbs.’ This formula is based on this principle to treat excessive heat within the body. Although the heat enters the heart and blood, causing fever, restlessness, and insomnia, and the pulse is rapid with a red tongue, the heat can still be released and moved to the Qi level—just as Ye Tian Shi said, ‘Entering the blood, one can still release heat and move to the Qi.’ This formula is designed precisely for this purpose.” (Jiangsu New Medical College: Chinese Medicine Formulaology)

② “For treating summer heat entering the pericardium, with symptoms like thirst, dry tongue, and high fever with delirium, summer heat is considered the king of fire, whose energy flows through the heart. Thus, summer heat inevitably affects the heart, but the heart is the lord of the body, and it does not accept foreign invaders. What the heart receives is merely the meridians’ functions; however, the heart harbors the spirit, and when disturbed by external forces, the spirit cannot rest peacefully, which is why delirium occurs. The heart governs blood, and heat damages the blood vessels, causing the tongue to turn red. Because metal is afflicted by fire, the heart suffers from heat-related distress, leading to thirst. Summer heat is the true enemy among the six pathogenic factors, and warmth is an abnormality of the seasons. When these two evils combine, they give rise to summer heat and fever—similar to spring heat and autumn heat, though summer heat most easily affects the heart. Rhinoceros horn and Coptis chinensis both enter the heart to clear heat and remove toxins; rhinoceros horn possesses a light and agile nature, capable of eliminating epidemic toxins, while Coptis chinensis has a bitter and descending quality that can dispel dampness. Together, these two herbs serve as essential medicines for treating heat. Forsythia fruit, Honeysuckle flower, and bamboo leaf all penetrate the heart internally while opening up to the exterior, offering a refreshing and cool nature that helps calm the spirit, reduce heat, and allow the evil to leave without leaving behind any residue.” (Chengfang Xindu)

[Commentary] This formula can be used for various acute febrile infectious diseases, such as typhoid fever, trench fever, scarlet fever, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, and others.