Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
清暑益气汤 · Qīng Shǔ Yì Qì Tāng
A classical formula for summer-heat that has damaged Qi and fluids, with fatigue, thirst, spontaneous sweating and a weak rapid pulse. It clears residual heat while restoring Qi and Yin.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Qi-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Summer Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear summer-heat, benefit Qi, generate fluids
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear summer-heat while tonifying Qi and Yin damaged by heat
- Classical Source
- Wen Re Jing Wei (Wang Mengying, Qing dynasty) / Li Dongyuan tradition variants
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for summer-heat that has damaged Qi and fluids, with fatigue, thirst, spontaneous sweating and a weak rapid pulse. It clears residual heat while restoring Qi and Yin.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when summer-heat has already injured Qi and fluids — fatigue and thirst predominate over exterior cold signs — combining clearing with tonification.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
黃連Huang Lian3g
Coptis Rhizome- clears heat and relieves vexation
竹葉Zhu Ye6g
Lophatherum- supports the formula's treatment strategy in this position
知母Zhi Mu6g
Anemarrhena Rhizome- drains fire and nourishes yin
荷梗He Geng9g
Lotus Stem- clears heat and dispels summerheat
西瓜翠衣Xi Gua Cui Yi15g
Watermelon Rind- boosts qi and promotes fluid production
- nourishes yin
- clears heat
- and dispels summerheat
Classical Composition
- Panacis Quinquefolii Radix (Xi Yang Shen) 5g
- Dendrobii Caulis (Shi Hu) 15g
- Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong) 9g
- Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian) 3g
- Lophatheri Herba (Zhu Ye) 6g
- Petiolus Nelmbinis (He Geng) 15g
- Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhi Mu) 6g
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 3g
- Semen Oryza Sativa (Jing Mi) 15g
- Exocarpium Citrulli (Xi Gua Pi) 30g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears summerheat
- boosts qi
- nourishes yin
- and generates fluids.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for patterns of summerheat with damage to both qi and fluids.
- The symptoms are fever with profuse sweating, thirst and vexation, scanty dark urine, fatigue and weak breathing, listlessness, and a deficient, rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This is a commonly used formula for summerheat damaging both qi and fluids.
- The cause of the pattern is inward invasion of summerheat-heat, causing the consumption of qi and fluids.
- Since summerheat is a yang pathogen, and communicates with the heart, when summerheat-heat attacks the human body it causes a fever.
- Pathogenic summerheat-heat harasses the heart and causes vexation.
- Scattering and ascending summerheat loosens and opens the striae and interstices, which leads to profuse sweating.
- Heat damages the fluids and leads to thirst and scanty dark urine.
- Wang Shi-xiong said, “since summerheat damages the qi and fluids, the method of clearing summerheat-heat and boosting the original qi has a good remedial effect to this pattern”《Warp and Woof of Warm-Heat Diseases》.
Clinical presentation
- Summerheat easily consumes qi, which causes fatigue, weak breathing, listlessness, and a deficient pulse.
Treatment strategy
- Therefore, the therapeutic method for this pattern is to combine the summerheat-dispelling and heat -clearing method with the qi-boosting and fluids-generating method.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang clears summer-heat and restores Qi-Yin. Sheng Mai San strongly generates fluids and astringes for Qi-Yin deficiency. Xiang Ru Yin releases exterior summer-damp with cold signs. Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang clears residual heat and generates fluids after febrile disease.
Clinical Differentiation
- Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang is a commonly used formula used to treat summerheat damage during the summer with damage to both qi and yin.
- This clinical pattern is marked by fatigue and weak breathing, thirst and profuse sweating, deficient, rapid pulse.
Safety notes: As there are nourishing and greasy medicinals in the formula, do not use the formula for summerheat disease with dampness.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang?
Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Wang Mengying’s version) has the actions of clearing Summerheat, augmenting Qi, nourishing Yin, and generating fluids. It simultaneously cools residual Summerheat while replenishing the Qi and body fluids that have been depleted by heat and sweating.
Which modern diseases is Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Summerheat damaging both Qi and fluids, including heat exhaustion or recovery after heat exposure, summer fever with fatigue and thirst, post-febrile convalescence in hot weather, and certain cases of prolonged low-grade fever or weakness following Summerheat illness.
Is Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang suitable for improving fever, profuse sweating, thirst, and fatigue after summer heat exposure?
For presentations of fever or residual heat, profuse sweating, thirst with desire for fluids, irritability, fatigue or shortness of breath, scanty dark urine, a dry tongue, and a deficient rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Summerheat having injured both Qi and Yin/fluids — TCM commonly applies Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Clear Summerheat and Augment Qi Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Nong's Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Clear Summerheat and Augment Qi Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Summer-Heat Damaging Qi & Fluids
Xiang Ru Yin: Classic TCM Formula for Summer-Heat with Exterior Cold & Dampness
Sheng Mai San: Classic TCM Formula for Qi & Yin Deficiency, Fatigue & Shortness of Breath
Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Residual Heat, Qi & Yin Damage After Febrile Disease
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.