Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction: Clearing summer heat, relieving heatstroke, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, precisely regulating the sequelae of heatstroke, heatstroke, and low fever in summer HJMEDICAL">

1. Prescription Source & History

1. Ancient Classic Records

Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang It originated from Li Dongyuan, the master of the earth-reinforcing school during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. It was recorded in his representative work 'On the Spleen and Stomach'. During the Jin and Yuan dynasties, the society was动荡 and wars were frequent. The common people often suffered from internal injuries of the spleen and stomach due to improper diet and hard labor. Li Dongyuan observed that in the hot summer, those with weak constitutions were likely to be invaded by summer dampness pathogens, and easily showed symptoms such as feverish body, headache, limb fatigue, and loss of appetite. He advocated that treating summer heat must first address dampness, and treating dampness must first regulate the spleen. Therefore, ginseng and astragalus were used in the formula to replenish qi, paired with atractylodes lancea and dried tangerine peel to dry dampness, and phellodendron amurense was added to clear heat with its bitter and cold nature. The Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang during this period focused on regulating internal injuries of the spleen and stomach and external invasion of summer dampness, reflecting the deep care of traditional Chinese medicine for the physical functions of the laboring class during the turbulent years.

In the Qing Dynasty, with the rise of the school of warm diseases, the famous doctor Wang Mengying carried out a landmark reshaping of this formula in 'Warm Disease Classics'. Wang Mengying pointed out that the summer heat in the south of the Yangtze River and southern regions is more intense, and this kind of extreme heat is likely to consume the body's fluid and vital energy. The atractylodes lancea and astragalus in Li Dongyuan's original formula are slightly dry and hot, not fully in line with the pathogenesis of simple summer heat injuring yin. So, Wang Mengying created a new version of Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang, with heat-clearing and fluid-generating herbs such as American ginseng, dendrobium officinale, ophiopogon japonicus, and watermelon peel as the main herbs. This transformation marked the evolution of the theory of treating summer heat in traditional Chinese medicine from warming yang and resolving dampness to clearing heat and nourishing yin, and was more adaptable to the clinical needs of qi and yin injury in modern people in high-temperature environments.

2. Inheritance & Development by Physicians

Over time, Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang has been continuously developed and improved in the inheritance of generations of doctors. In the nearly thousand-year history of medical evolution, these two versions of Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang together constitute the two wings of the treatment of summer diseases in traditional Chinese medicine, and are known as Li's formula and Wang's formula in later generations. Although they have the same formula name, they respectively represent the high wisdom of treating the same disease with different methods in traditional Chinese medicine: Li's formula mainly targets summer dampness stagnating the spleen and qi being damaged by dampness, and is applicable to cases of cold accompanied by diarrhea and heavy limbs; while Wang's formula mainly attacks summer heat injuring qi and consuming yin, and is applicable to diseases with high fever, profuse sweating, restlessness, and thirst. Nowadays, these two formulas still play an important role in modern clinical practice and are widely used in the conditioning of summer heatstroke, summer fever, and chronic fatigue syndrome, demonstrating the ever-victorious vitality of traditional Chinese medicine in adapting to local conditions and individual differences.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction: Clearing summer heat, relieving heatstroke, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, precisely regulating the sequelae of heatstroke, heatstroke, and low fever in summer HJMEDICAL">

2. Introduction to Ingredients (King, Minister, Assistant, Guide)

1. King Drug

黄芪 : Astragalus membranaceus has a sweet taste and a slightly warm nature, and belongs to the spleen and lung meridians. It has the effects of replenishing qi and ascending yang, securing the exterior and stopping sweating, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, generating fluid and nourishing blood, promoting qi circulation and relieving pain, expelling toxins and discharging pus, and promoting granulation and skin growth. In Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang, astragalus membranaceus, as the monarch herb, mainly plays the role of replenishing qi and strengthening the spleen, enhancing the function of the spleen and stomach, enabling the spleen and stomach to better transport the essence of water and grains, providing sufficient nutrients for the body, and thus resisting the invasion of summer pathogens.

人参 : Ginseng has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and a slightly warm nature, and belongs to the spleen, lung, heart, and kidney meridians. It greatly replenishes vital energy, secures the pulse and prevents collapse, invigorates the spleen and benefits the lung, generates fluid and nourishes blood, and calms the mind and improves intelligence. Ginseng can greatly replenish vital energy, supplement sufficient healthy qi for the body, and enhance the body's resistance. Paired with astragalus membranaceus, it strengthens the effect of replenishing qi and jointly deals with the syndrome of summer heat consuming qi and injuring fluid.

2. Minister Drug

麦冬 : Ophiopogon japonicus has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and a slightly cold nature, and belongs to the heart, lung, and stomach meridians. It has the effects of nourishing yin and generating fluid, moistening the lung and clearing the heart. In a summer heat environment, the body's fluid is easily injured. Ophiopogon japonicus can nourish the yin of the lung and stomach, relieve symptoms such as dry mouth, throat, and thirst caused by summer heat, and assist the monarch herb in replenishing qi and generating fluid.

Schisandra chinensis Schisandra chinensis tastes sour, sweet, and is warm in nature. It belongs to the lung, heart, and kidney meridians. It can astringe and consolidate, replenish qi and promote the production of body fluid, tonify the kidney and tranquillize the mind. It can both astringe the lung qi and prevent the dissipation of lung qi, and also replenish qi and promote the production of body fluid. Acting synergistically with Ophiopogon japonicus, it enhances the power of nourishing yin and promoting the production of body fluid. At the same time, it can also play a certain role in arresting sweating and reducing the excessive sweating symptoms caused by summer heat.

3. Assistant Drug

黄连 Coptis chinensis tastes bitter and is cold in nature. It belongs to the heart, spleen, stomach, liver, gallbladder, and large intestine meridians. It clears heat and dries dampness, purges fire and detoxifies. Coptis chinensis has the effect of clearing heat and purging fire, can clear away the pathogenic factors of summer heat, prevent the transformation of summer heat into fire internally, and avoid the appearance of symptoms such as high fever and restlessness, playing an assisting role in clearing summer heat and replenishing qi.

知母 Anemarrhena asphodeloides tastes bitter, sweet, and is cold in nature. It belongs to the lung, stomach, and kidney meridians. It clears heat and purges fire, nourishes yin and moistens dryness. Anemarrhena asphodeloides can clear heat and purge fire, and also nourish yin and moisten dryness. Cooperating with Coptis chinensis, it enhances the power of clearing heat. At the same time, cooperating with nourishing yin herbs such as Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis, it strengthens the effect of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, making the whole formula clear heat without damaging yin and nourish yin without hindering heat clearance.

竹叶 Lophatherum gracile tastes sweet, pungent, and light, and is cold in nature. It belongs to the heart, stomach, and small intestine meridians. It clears heat and relieves restlessness, promotes the production of body fluid and induces diuresis. Lophatherum gracile can clear away the summer heat pathogen in the heart meridian, relieve symptoms such as restlessness and thirst, and also guide the summer heat pathogen out through urine, assisting the monarch drug and ministerial drug to play the role of clearing summer heat and replenishing qi. It is one of the adjuvant drugs in the formula.

荷叶 Lotus leaf tastes bitter and astringent, is neutral in nature, and belongs to the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. It resolves summer heat and clears heat, regulates qi and relieves fullness in the chest. Lotus leaf can resolve summer heat and clear heat, enhance the effect of clearing summer heat in the formula. At the same time, it can regulate qi and relieve fullness in the chest, relieve the chest distress discomfort caused by summer heat, playing an assisting and harmonizing role in the formula.

4. Guide Drug

甘草 Glycyrrhiza glabra tastes sweet and is neutral in nature. It belongs to the heart, lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. It invigorates the spleen and replenishes qi, moistens the lung and relieves cough, clears heat and detoxifies, and harmonizes all the drugs in the prescription. In the Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction, on the one hand, Glycyrrhiza glabra can invigorate the spleen and replenish qi, enhancing the qi-tonifying effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax ginseng; on the other hand, it can harmonize all the drugs, making the various drugs in the formula synergistic with each other and exerting the best therapeutic effect.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction: Clearing summer heat, relieving heatstroke, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, precisely regulating the sequelae of heatstroke, heatstroke, and low fever in summer HJMEDICAL">

III. Pathogenesis, Efficacy and Indications

1. Pathogenesis (Summer Heat and Qi Deficiency)

Summer heat is the main qi in summer. The pathogenic factor of summer heat has the characteristics of being hot and dispersing, and often combines with damp pathogen. The invasion of the summer heat pathogen into the human body can cause qi and yin injury in the human body. Summer heat consumes qi, damaging the healthy qi of the human body and presenting symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue; summer heat injures body fluid, leading to the leakage of body fluid and presenting manifestations such as thirst and excessive sweating; if summer dampness accumulates internally, symptoms such as chest distress, abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting may also occur.

2. Efficacy (Clear Summer Heat)

Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction It has the effects of clearing summer heat and replenishing qi and yin. In the formula, heat-clearing and fire-purging drugs such as Coptis chinensis, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, and Phyllostachys nigra leaves can clear away the pathogenic factors of summer heat; Astragalus membranaceus and Ginseng greatly tonify primordial qi, Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis nourish yin and promote the production of body fluid, jointly playing the role of replenishing qi and yin, enabling qi and yin to be restored to cope with the invasion of pathogenic factors of summer heat.

3. Indications (Clear Heat)

It is mainly used to treat the syndrome of summer heat injuring qi and consuming yin. Symptoms include fever with profuse sweating, thirst and restlessness, scanty and red urine, fatigue and shortness of breath, listlessness, and a weak and rapid pulse, etc. Clinically, it is commonly used for people who show premonitory symptoms of heatstroke or mild heatstroke in a high-temperature environment in summer, as well as those who present symptoms of deficiency of both qi and yin after long-term labor.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction: Clearing summer heat, relieving heatstroke, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, precisely regulating sequelae of heatstroke, heatstroke sequelae and low fever in summer - HJMEDICAL">

IV. Analysis of Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction

1. Compatibility of Clearing Heat and Tonifying Qi and Yin

In the formula, heat-clearing drugs such as Coptis chinensis, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, and Phyllostachys nigra leaves are mutually combined with qi-tonifying and yin-nourishing drugs such as Astragalus membranaceus, Ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, and Schisandra chinensis. Heat-clearing drugs can effectively clear away the pathogenic factors of summer heat, preventing summer heat from further damaging the healthy qi and yin fluid of the human body; qi-tonifying and yin-nourishing drugs can promptly supplement qi and yin, enabling the body to still maintain relatively normal physiological functions in a summer heat environment. This combination method not only clears summer heat but also supplements healthy qi, treating both the principal and secondary aspects of the disease, enabling qi and yin to be restored and summer heat to be cleared away.

2. Synergy of Astringing Sweating and Promoting Fluid Production

Schisandra chinensis has the effect of astringing sweating, which can reduce the excessive sweating symptoms caused by summer heat and prevent the excessive leakage of body fluid. Yin-nourishing drugs such as Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis can promote the production of body fluid to relieve thirst and supplement the body fluid lost due to summer heat. The astringent sweating and body fluid-producing drugs act synergistically, which can not only protect body fluid but also regulate the excretion of sweat, maintaining the balance of human body fluid metabolism.

3. Regulating Spleen and Stomach and Strengthening the Body as a Whole

Astragalus membranaceus, Ginseng, and Licorice root invigorate the spleen and replenish qi, enhancing the functions of the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach are the foundation of acquired constitution and the source of qi and blood production. By regulating the spleen and stomach, it can promote the transportation and absorption of water essence and grains, provide sufficient nutrient substances for the body, enhance the resistance of the body, and thus achieve the purpose of strengthening healthy qi to eliminate pathogenic factors. It enables the body to have sufficient healthy qi in a summer heat environment and be able to better resist the invasion of summer pathogenic factors.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction: Clearing summer heat, relieving heatstroke, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, precisely regulating sequelae of heatstroke, heatstroke sequelae and low fever in summer - HJMEDICAL">

V. Comparison with Other Similar Formulas

1. Comparison with Liuyi Powder

Liu Yi San is composed of Talc and Licorice root, and has the effect of clearing summer heat and promoting diuresis. It is mainly used to treat symptoms such as fever with restlessness and difficult urination caused by being affected by summer dampness. Compared with Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang, Liu Yi San focuses on clearing and promoting the removal of summer dampness, its drug composition is relatively simple, and its medicinal power is relatively single. While Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang can not only clear summer heat but also replenish qi and yin, and is applicable to more complex diseases of summer heat injuring qi and consuming yin.

2. Comparison with Xinjia Xiangru Yin

Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin is composed of Elsholtzia ciliata, Flos Lonicerae, Dolichos lablab flower, Magnolia officinalis, and Forsythia suspensa, and has the effects of relieving exterior syndrome and clearing heat and resolving dampness. It is mainly used to treat the initial stage of summer warm disease with recurrence of cold-dampness syndrome. Different from Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang, Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin focuses more on relieving exterior syndrome and resolving dampness, targeting the syndrome of summer dampness combined with exterior syndrome. Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang mainly clears summer heat and replenishes qi and yin, and is applicable to the situation of summer heat injuring qi and yin without obvious exterior syndrome.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction: Clearing summer heat, relieving heatstroke, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, precisely regulating sequelae of heatstroke, heatstroke sequelae and low fever in summer - HJMEDICAL">

VI. Clinical Applications and Indications

1. Heatstroke prodrome and Mild Heatstroke

In a high-temperature environment, if there appear premonitory symptoms of heatstroke such as dizziness, thirst, profuse sweating, and fatigue, or mild heatstroke manifested as fever, sweating, thirst, shortness of breath, and fatigue, etc., Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang can play a good therapeutic role. By clearing summer heat and replenishing qi and yin, it can relieve symptoms and prevent the further development of the disease.

2. Summer Fever

Summer fever is more common in children, mainly manifested as persistent fever, excessive thirst with polydipsia, polyuria, anhidrosis and other symptoms. Bangu Yiqi Decoction can be appropriately modified according to the specific conditions of children to clear summer heat, replenish qi and nourish yin, regulate the yin-yang balance of children's bodies in summer, and relieve the symptoms of summer fever.

3. Qi-Yin Deficiency Syndrome

For people with qi-yin deficiency caused by long-term labor, overwork, etc., when symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, dry mouth, spontaneous sweating or night sweating appear, Qingshu Yiqi Decoction can be used as a conditioning prescription. By tonifying qi and nourishing yin simultaneously, it can improve the condition of qi-yin deficiency and enhance the physical fitness and anti-fatigue ability of the body.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction: Clearing summer heat, relieving heatstroke, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, precisely regulating sequelae of heatstroke, heatstroke sequelae and low fever in summer - HJMEDICAL">

VII. Modifications

1. High heat dissipation

If the summer heat is more severe, the dosage of Coptis chinensis and Anemarrhena asphodeloides can be increased to enhance the effect of clearing summer heat and purging fire, so as to better expel the pathogenic factor of summer heat.

2. Severe dampness pathogen

If symptoms of heavy dampness such as chest distress, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, etc. are accompanied, herbs such as Pogostemon cablin, Amomum villosum, Atractylodes lancea, Magnolia officinalis, etc. with the effects of aromatic dampness-resolving and drying dampness to promote the function of the spleen can be added to enhance the effect of removing dampness.

3. Obvious qi-yin deficiency

If the symptoms of qi-yin deficiency are more obvious, with symptoms such as palpitation and insomnia, herbs such as Semen Ziziphi Spinosae, Semen Platycladi, Polygala tenuifolia, etc. for calming the mind can be added, and at the same time, the dosage of Ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, Schisandra chinensis can be appropriately increased to strengthen the effect of tonifying qi and nourishing yin.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction: Clearing summer heat, relieving heatstroke, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, precisely regulating sequelae of heatstroke, heatstroke sequelae and low fever in summer - HJMEDICAL">

VIII. Dosage (Traditional and Modern Concentrated Granules)

1. Traditional method

When ancient physicians used Bangu Yiqi Decoction, they mostly adopted the traditional decocting and taking methods. Generally, the herbs are soaked in water and then slowly decocted with a small fire. The specific dosage is determined according to the condition and the patient's constitution. For example, the common dosage of herbs such as Astragalus membranaceus and Ginseng is 9 - 15 grams, the dosage of heat-clearing herbs such as Coptis chinensis and Anemarrhena asphodeloides is 6 - 9 grams, the dosage of yin-nourishing herbs such as Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis is 9 - 12 grams, the dosage of Licorice Root is about 6 grams, and appropriate amounts of Phyllostachys nigra leaves and Folium Nelumbinis are used. After decocting, it is taken warm in several times.

2. Modern concentrated granules

Nowadays, with the development of traditional Chinese medicine preparation technology, Bangu Yiqi Decoction also has a concentrated granule dosage form. When using it, just take it according to the dosage specified in the instructions. The concentrated granule dosage form is convenient and fast, easy to store and take, and is suitable for the modern fast-paced lifestyle. However, when taking it, the dosage should also be adjusted according to the condition and individual differences following the doctor's advice.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction: Clearing summer heat, relieving heatstroke, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, precisely regulating sequelae of heatstroke, heatstroke sequelae and low fever in summer - HJMEDICAL">

IX. Precautions and Taboos

1. Dietary taboos

During the period of taking Bangu Yiqi Decoction, spicy, greasy, raw and cold and other stimulating foods should be avoided. These foods may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, affect the absorption and efficacy of the medicine, and are also not conducive to the recovery of summer heat diseases.

2. Special Populations

Pregnant women, lactating women, children, as well as the elderly, the weak, and those with deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach should use Gu Ban Yi Qi Decoction under the guidance of a doctor. Because the physiological characteristics and constitutions of these populations are relatively special, medication needs to be cautious to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medication.

3. Disease Progression

During the process of taking Gu Ban Yi Qi Decoction, if the condition changes, such as the symptoms worsen or new symptoms appear, etc., medical treatment should be sought in a timely manner to adjust the treatment plan, and do not blindly take medicine by oneself.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction: Clearing summer heat, relieving heatstroke, replenishing qi and nourishing yin, precisely regulating sequelae of heatstroke, heatstroke sequelae and low fever in summer - HJMEDICAL">

X. Modern Research Progress

1. Pharmacological Research

Modern research shows that various drugs in Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction have different pharmacological effects. Qi-tonifying drugs such as Astragalus membranaceus and Ginseng can enhance the body's immunity and improve the body's stress resistance; Yin-nourishing drugs such as Ophiopogon japonicus and Schisandra chinensis have antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects; Heat-clearing drugs such as Coptis chinensis and Anemarrhena asphodeloides have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. These pharmacological effects work together to help Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction play the effect of treating the syndrome of qi and yin injury caused by summer heat.

2. Clinical Effect Verification

Through modern clinical research, the curative effect of Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction in treating premonitory stage of stroke, mild stroke and the syndrome of qi and yin deficiency has been further verified. Research shows that this prescription can effectively relieve related symptoms, improve the patient's physical condition, and improve the patient's quality of life. At the same time, in the adjuvant treatment of some diseases, Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction also shows certain advantages, providing more basis for its clinical application.

3. Dosage Form Improvement

With the development of modern technology, the dosage form improvement and innovation of Gu Ban Yi Qi Decoction are also constantly carried out. In addition to the concentrated granule dosage form mentioned above, other new dosage forms such as oral liquid and capsule are also being explored and developed to improve the stability and convenience of taking the drug, and better meet the needs of clinical practice and patients.

As a classic prescription in traditional Chinese medicine, Qing Shu Yi Qi Decoction has unique advantages and rich clinical experience in treating summer heat-related syndromes after years of precipitation. Through the introduction of its origin and history, composition of medicinal herbs, pathogenesis and efficacy, analysis of the formula's meaning, and modern research progress, etc., it is hoped that more people can understand this excellent prescription and play a greater role in protecting people's health.

Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang Wan Summary

Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang, also known as Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang Wan or Yi Qi Tang, is a classical formula in traditional Chinese medicine for qi deficiency and yin deficiency combined with summer-heat. It clears summer heat, clears heat, and cools the body while tonifying qi and nourishing yin to replenish fluids and support body fluids and qi.

The formula relieves symptoms such as thirst and fatigue during hot weather. Key herbs include huang qi, xi yang shen, huang lian, gan cao, zhu ye, bai zhu, jing mi, shi hu, cang zhu, dang gui, mai men dong, xi gua cui yi, zhi mu, he geng, ge gen, and sheng ma, which work synergistically to clear pathogenic heat and restore vitality.