1. Background and Origins

Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang (清燥救肺汤), or Clear Dryness and Rescue the Lungs Decoction, is a classical Qing-dynasty formula from Yu Chang’s Yi Men Fa Lu (Precepts for Physicians). It belongs to the category of formulas that clear Warm-Dryness and moisten the Lungs.

This formula addresses Warm-Dryness attacking the Lungs and damaging both Lung Qi and Yin, a pattern that appears in autumn dry-warm conditions. Typical signs include dry cough with little or no sputum, or scanty sticky sputum that is hard to expectorate, dry nose and throat, thirst, possible mild fever and headache, shortness of breath, a dry tongue with little coating, and a deficient rapid pulse.

Combining Sang Ye and Shi Gao to clear Dry-Heat from the Lungs, Mai Men Dong, E Jiao, and Hei Zhi Ma to nourish Yin, moisten dryness, and generate fluids, Xing Ren and Pi Pa Ye to descend Lung Qi and stop cough, and Ren Shen with Gan Cao to tonify Qi and rescue the Lungs, Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang effectively clears Warm-Dryness, moistens the Lungs, and restores the Lung’s descending and moistening functions.

2. Respiratory Conditions: Acute & Chronic Lung Dryness

Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang proves highly effective across a spectrum of conditions characterized by dryness-heat, particularly those affecting the respiratory system and overall yin balance.

3. Other Conditions: Skin & Sub-Health States

1. Pathomechanism Analysis

The core issue is dryness-heat damaging the lungs, causing dual depletion of qi and yin. An external dryness-evil invades, disrupting lung diffusion and descent, leading to cough and wheezing. This evil depletes fluids, resulting in lung yin deficiency (dry throat, mouth, nose) and simultaneously damages upright qi, causing a combined qi and yin deficiency. This complex imbalance necessitates a multifaceted treatment approach.

2. Therapeutic Actions

This formula works to clear dryness, moisten the lungs, nourish yin, and tonify qi. Herbs like Sangye and Shigao effectively clear dryness-heat from the lungs. Maidong, Ejiao, and Humaren nourish lung yin and replenish vital fluids. Renshen and Gancao tonify qi and bolster the body's upright energy. Together, these herbs restore lung function and replenish both qi and yin, achieving a comprehensive therapeutic effect.

3. Clinical Indications

The primary indication is warm-dryness damaging the lungs with dual depletion of qi and yin. Key symptoms include headache, body heat, dry cough without phlegm, wheezing, dry throat, dry nose, chest fullness with hypochondriac pain, and vexing thirst. This pattern is increasingly prevalent in modern environments, such as dry climates or prolonged exposure to air-conditioned spaces, making this formula highly relevant for contemporary practice.

1. Pharmacological Research

Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang (Eliminate Dryness and Rescue the Lung Decoction) is a classic formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine specifically designed to treat warm dryness injuring the lung, which damages both qi and yin.

It effectively clears lung heat, generates fluids, eliminates dryness, and rescues the lung, making it ideal for patterns of warm-dryness injuring the lung with symptoms such as dry cough, labored breathing, dry nose and throat, dry tongue, and overall damage to both qi and yin. The formula channels entered primarily the Lung, and is widely used to improve quality of life and protect the airways and target organs in conditions like bronchial asthma and other respiratory disorders caused by dryness and heat. By moistening the lung, clearing heat, and replenishing qi and fluids, Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang helps restore respiratory comfort and balance.

Modern studies show herbs in Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang (e.g., Sangye, Shigao, Maidong, Ejiao) have anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, heat‑clearing, antipyretic, and immune‑modulating actions that reduce pulmonary inflammation, protect lung tissue, relieve dryness‑heat, and promote repair and regeneration.

2. Clinical Research

Clinical studies report benefits in cough‑variant asthma, COPD, and related conditions—improving symptoms, lung function, and reducing exacerbations; combined use with Western bronchodilators may yield superior integrated treatment outcomes, supporting broader clinical application as research progresses.