San Huang Xie Xin Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
三黃瀉心湯 · Sān Huáng Xiè Xīn Tāng
The Jin Gui Xie Xin Tang under its three-yellows name, for fire excess with bleeding or irritability.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Stomach Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear heat, drain fire, stop bleeding
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear heat and drain fire
- Classical Source
- Jin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
The Jin Gui Xie Xin Tang under its three-yellows name, for fire excess with bleeding or irritability.
Therapeutic Principle
Selected for fire excess with bleeding or irritability rather than deficiency fire or qi-aspect heat alone.
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
Classical Composition
- Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Da Huang) 6g
- Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian) 3g
- Scutellariae Radix (Huang Qin) 3g. Also known as Xie Xin Tang. From the Jin Gui Yao Lue.
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears heat and drains fire with Da Huang
- Huang Lian
- and Huang Qin.
Indications
- Fire excess with bleeding or irritability.
- Epistaxis, irritability, red face, constipation, red tongue, rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Fire excess rises.
- Heat forces blood or disturbs the heart and stomach.
Clinical presentation
- Irritability, bleeding such as epistaxis, red face, constipation, red tongue, rapid pulse.
Treatment strategy
- Clear heat, drain fire, stop bleeding.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
San Huang Xie Xin Tang, Huang Lian Jie Du Tang and Bai Hu Tang clear heat. Huang Lian Jie Du Tang clears fire toxin across the triple burner. Bai Hu Tang clears qi-aspect heat. This formula drains fire with Da Huang, Huang Lian, and Huang Qin.
Clinical Differentiation
- Used for fire excess with bleeding or irritability.
- Key points: red face, bleeding, constipation.
- Distinct from deficiency-fire formulas.
Safety notes: Strongly cold and purging; not appropriate for deficiency, pregnancy, or cold patterns. Bleeding needs medical care.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is San Huang Xie Xin Tang? Are Huang Lian Jie Du Tang and Xie Xin Tang the same?
San Huang Xie Xin Tang (三黄泻心汤, also Xie Xin Tang) is a classic formula from the Shang Han Lun, centered on draining fire, resolving toxicity, drying dampness and discharging heat for pathogenic fire blazing internally forcing blood to move recklessly with hematemesis or epistaxis, or damp-heat jaundice and heat binding constipation. Huang Lian Jie Du Tang drains fire and resolves toxicity, leaning to fire toxin in the three burners without Da Huang. Xie Xin Tang is this formula. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write San Huang Xie Xin Tang. Contraindicated in vacuity cold and pregnancy.
What is the composition and traditional use of San Huang Xie Xin Tang?
Classic composition: Da Huang two liang, Huang Lian one liang, Huang Qin one liang. It acts to drain fire, resolve toxicity, dry dampness and discharge heat. It is used for pathogenic fire blazing internally forcing blood to move recklessly with hematemesis or epistaxis, or damp-heat jaundice, or heat binding constipation with fullness below the heart. Huang Lian and Huang Qin clear fire in the upper and middle burners; Da Huang drains heat in the lower burner; the three yellows together drain fire and resolve toxicity.
How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Huang Lian Jie Du Tang replace it?
Da Huang is raw and added later; Huang Lian and Huang Qin are raw. Huang Lian Jie Du Tang lacks Da Huang and leans to pure fire-clearing; it cannot replace the draining action by equal weight. Commercial products follow regulated compounding; do not self-modify.
Related Articles
San Huang Xie Xin Tang: Clearing Heat and Draining Fire
Liang Ge San: Classic TCM Formula for Heat in the Chest & Diaphragm, Irritability & Constipation
Bai Hu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Yangming Heat, High Fever, Thirst & Profuse Sweating
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Fire Toxin, High Fever & Damp-Heat
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.