Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
清心利膈湯 · Qīng Xīn Lì Gé Tāng
A classical heat-clearing formula based on Qing Yan Li Ge Tang, with Jin Yin Hua and Dan Zhu Ye added to strengthen toxin-resolving and clear heart heat with vexation.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Lung Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear heart heat, resolve toxin, benefit the throat
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear heart heat and toxin from the throat and diaphragm
- Classical Source
- Classical TCM formulary (variant of Qing Yan Li Ge Tang)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical heat-clearing formula based on Qing Yan Li Ge Tang, with Jin Yin Hua and Dan Zhu Ye added to strengthen toxin-resolving and clear heart heat with vexation.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when throat heat-toxin is accompanied by heart heat with vexation and thirst, rather than plain throat-diaphragm heat-toxin, pure diaphragm heat, or epidemic head-face toxin.
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
淡竹葉Dan Zhu Ye9g
Lophatherum / Bamboo Leaf- clears heart heat and relieves vexation
黃芩Huang Qin9g
Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap- clears heat from the lung
- stomach and liver-gallbladder
黃連Huang Lian6g
Coptis Rhizome- clears heart and stomach fire and dries damp-heat
梔子Zhi Zi9g
Gardenia Fruit- drains fire and relieves vexation
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
牛蒡子Niu Bang Zi9g
Burdock Seed / Arctium Fruit- disperses wind-heat and benefits the throat
玄參Xuan Shen12g
Scrophularia Root- nourishes yin and clears deficiency fire
桔梗Jie Geng6g
Platycodon Root- diffuses the lung and guides upward
薄荷Bo He6g
Mentha / Peppermint- disperses wind-heat
荊芥Jing Jie6g
Schizonepeta / Japanese Catnip- releases wind from the exterior and vents rashes
防風Fang Feng6g
Saposhnikovia Root- dispels wind
大黃Da Huang6g
Rhubarb Root and Rhizome- drains heat accumulation and invigorates blood
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Flos Lonicerae (Jin Yin Hua) 12g
- Herba Lophatheri (Dan Zhu Ye) 9g
- Fructus Forsythiae (Lian Qiao) 12g
- Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin) 9g
- Rhizoma Coptidis (Huang Lian) 6g
- Fructus Gardeniae (Zhi Zi) 9g
- Fructus Arctii (Niu Bang Zi) 9g
- Radix Scrophulariae (Xuan Shen) 12g
- Radix Platycodonis (Jie Geng) 6g
- Herba Menthae (Bo He) 6g
- Herba Schizonepetae (Jing Jie) 6g
- Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fang Feng) 6g
- Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (Da Huang) 6g
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao) 3g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears heart heat
- resolves toxin
- benefits the throat and disinhibits the diaphragm.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for heat-toxin collecting in the heart and the throat-diaphragm.
- Signs and symptoms include severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, vexation and thirst, and constipation.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue coating is yellow and the pulse is rapid.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern arises when heat-toxin collects in the heart and the throat-diaphragm, with heat scorching the upper jiao and disturbing the heart.
- Heat-toxin rises to the throat while heart fire causes vexation and thirst.
Clinical presentation
- Severe sore throat with swelling, difficulty swallowing, vexation and thirst, constipation, a yellow tongue coating and a rapid pulse.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to clear heart heat, resolve toxin, benefit the throat and disinhibit the diaphragm.
- In this formula the emphasis is to clear heat-toxin from the heart and throat, with a stronger toxin-resolving and vexation-relieving action than Qing Yan Li Ge Tang.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Qing Xin Li Ge Tang, Qing Yan Li Ge Tang, Liang Ge San and Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin clear heat-toxin in the upper jiao. Qing Xin Li Ge Tang is Qing Yan Li Ge Tang plus Jin Yin Hua and Dan Zhu Ye, for throat heat-toxin with heart heat and vexation. Qing Yan Li Ge Tang addresses throat and diaphragm heat-toxin with constipation. Liang Ge San clears diaphragm heat and drains downward. Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin treats epidemic toxin of the head and face.
Clinical Differentiation
- Qing Xin Li Ge Tang is used when heat-toxin in the throat and diaphragm is accompanied by heart heat with vexation and thirst.
- It differs from Qing Yan Li Ge Tang by the addition of Jin Yin Hua and Dan Zhu Ye, which strengthen toxin-resolving and clear heart heat.
- The clinical pattern is severe sore throat with marked vexation and thirst.
- It is not appropriate for deficiency-cold sore throat.
Safety notes: This formula is bitter and cold. It is not appropriate for deficiency-cold sore throat. Use with caution in weak digestion or loose stool from spleen deficiency.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Qing Xin Li Ge Tang? Are Qing Yan Li Ge Tang and Huang Lian Jie Du Tang the same?
Qing Xin Li Ge Tang (清心利膈汤) is a formula from the Wan Bing Hui Chun or Zhongguo Yixue Da Cidian, centered on clearing heat and resolving toxicity for Heart-Spleen constrained heat with swelling and pain of the throat, parotid and tongue. Qing Yan Li Ge Tang clears heat and benefits the throat, leaning to throat swelling and pain. Huang Lian Jie Du Tang drains fire and resolves toxicity, leaning to fire toxin in the three burners. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Qing Xin Li Ge Tang. Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold and pregnancy.
What is the composition and traditional use of Qing Xin Li Ge Tang?
Classic composition: Fang Feng, Jing Jie, Bo He, Jie Geng, Huang Qin, Huang Lian, Zhi Zi, Lian Qiao, Xuan Shen, Da Huang, Mang Xiao, Niu Bang Zi, Gan Cao, Jin Yin Hua, Dan Zhu Ye. It acts to clear heat and resolve toxicity. It is used for Heart-Spleen constrained heat with swelling and pain of the throat, parotid and tongue. Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Zhi Zi, Lian Qiao and Jin Yin Hua clear heat and resolve toxicity; Fang Feng, Jing Jie and Bo He disperse wind-heat; Jie Geng and Niu Bang Zi benefit the throat; Xuan Shen nourishes yin; Da Huang and Mang Xiao drain heat; Gan Cao harmonizes.
How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Qing Yan Li Ge Tang replace it?
Da Huang is raw and added later; Mang Xiao is dissolved. Qing Yan Li Ge Tang leans to benefiting the throat without heavy Da Huang and Mang Xiao; it cannot replace the formula by equal weight. Commercial products follow regulated compounding; do not self-modify.
Related Articles
Qing Xin Li Ge Tang: Clearing Heat, Resolving Toxicity, and Benefiting the Throat
Liang Ge San: Classic TCM Formula for Heat in the Chest & Diaphragm, Irritability & Constipation
Qing Yan Li Ge Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Sore Throat, Heat in the Throat & Diaphragm
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin: Classic TCM Formula for Epidemic Heat Toxin, Swollen Face & Sore Throat
Browse all classical formulas →
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.