Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
五味消毒饮 · Wǔ Wèi Xiāo Dú Yǐn
A classical five-herb toxin-clearing formula for boils, carbuncles and toxic sores with local redness, swelling, heat and pain, often with mild systemic fever.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Damp-Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear heat, resolve toxin, disperse sores
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear toxic heat and reduce boils and carbuncles
- Classical Source
- Yi Zong Jin Jian (Qing dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical five-herb toxin-clearing formula for boils, carbuncles and toxic sores with local redness, swelling, heat and pain, often with mild systemic fever.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for localised toxic sores with heat — a focused anti-toxin formula rather than systemic fire-draining or Blood-invigorating sore formulas.
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/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
天葵子Tian Kui Zi12g
Semiaquilegia Root- supports the formula's treatment strategy in this position
蒲公英Pu Gong Ying12g
Dandelion- supports the formula's treatment strategy in this position
Classical Composition
- Flos Lonicerae (Jin Yin Hua) 15g
- Flos Chrysanthemi Indici (Ye Ju Hua) 12g
- Herba Violae (Zi Hua Di Ding) 12g
- Radix Semiaquilegiae (Tian Kui Zi) 12g
- Herba Taraxaci (Pu Gong Ying) 12g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears heat
- resolves toxin
- and reduces swellings from sores.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for heat-toxin collecting in the flesh.
- Signs and symptoms include red, painful sores or boils with local heat and swelling.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red, and the pulse is rapid.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by damp-heat brewing in the middle or lower jiao, or streaming into the channels.
- Heat-toxin collecting in the flesh produces sores, boils and red painful swellings that want to be cooled and resolved.
Clinical presentation
- Heat and dampness together produce a heavy, burning or greasy presentation with yellow coating and a slippery rapid pulse.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to clear heat, drain dampness, and resolve the brewing pathogen.
- In this formula the emphasis is to clear toxic heat and reduce boils and carbuncles.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin focuses on toxic sores and boils. Huang Lian Jie Du Tang drains systemic Triple Burner fire. Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin invigorates Blood for harder sores. Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin targets head-face warm-toxin.
Clinical Differentiation
- Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin is used for heat-toxin collecting in the flesh as sores and boils.
- It is distinguished from Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin (more developed yang sores needing to expel pus and move blood) and from Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (systemic fire-toxin rather than local sores).
Safety notes: This formula is cold and resolving. It is not appropriate for yin-type sores or for deficiency-cold swellings.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin?
Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin has the actions of clearing Heat, resolving Fire-toxin, cooling the Blood, and dispersing sores and swelling. It is a classic formula specifically designed for localized Heat-toxin concentrations that produce boils, furuncles, and early carbuncles.
Which modern diseases is Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Fire-toxin in the skin or soft tissue, including boils, furuncles, early carbuncles, acute inflammatory or cystic acne of Heat-toxin type, early cellulitis, acute mastitis, and other localized red, hot, swollen, and painful lesions.
Is Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin suitable for improving red, hot, swollen, and painful boils or sores?
For presentations of early boils or sores that are red, swollen, hot, and painful (sometimes small yet hard and deep-rooted, “like a millet seed yet hard as an iron nail”), with possible mild fever and chills, a red tongue with yellow coating, and a rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Heat-toxin — TCM commonly applies Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment of skin infections.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin (Five-Ingredient Toxin-Dispersing Beverage) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Nong's Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin (Five-Ingredient Toxin-Dispersing Beverage) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin: Classic TCM Formula for Heat Toxin, Boils, Carbuncles & Skin Infections
Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin: Classic TCM Formula for Heat Toxin, Early-Stage Abscesses & Swollen Sores
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Fire Toxin, High Fever & Damp-Heat
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin: Classic TCM Formula for Epidemic Heat Toxin, Swollen Face & Sore Throat
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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.