Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
竹叶石膏汤 · Zhú Yè Shí Gāo Tāng
A Shang Han Lun formula for residual heat after Yangming disease with Qi and fluid damage, presenting with low-grade fever, thirst, fatigue, nausea and a deficient rapid pulse.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Clear heat, generate fluids, benefit Qi, harmonise the Stomach
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear residual heat, nourish Yin and support Qi after febrile disease
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A Shang Han Lun formula for residual heat after Yangming disease with Qi and fluid damage, presenting with low-grade fever, thirst, fatigue, nausea and a deficient rapid pulse.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected in the recovery phase of febrile disease when heat lingers and Qi-fluids are damaged — milder clearing than Bai Hu Tang, with tonification that pure heat-clearers lack.
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
竹葉Zhu Ye9g
Lophatherum- clears heat and relieves vexation
- promotes fluid production
石膏Shi Gao30g
Gypsum- clears heat and drains fire
- relieves vexation and thirst
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
半夏Ban Xia9g
Pinellia Rhizome- harmonizes the stomach and directs counterflow downward combined with heat-clearing and fluid production-promoting medicinals to remove its warm-dry feature without affecting its effect of directing counterflow downward beneficial for transporting fluids
- allows ren shen and mai men dong to supplement without obstruction
麥冬Mai Dong15g
Ophiopogon Tuber- nourishes yin and promotes fluid production
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
甘草Gan Cao6g
Licorice Root- harmonize the stomach and direct counterflow downward
- nourishes the stomach and harmonize the center
- harmonizes the actions of all the medicinals in the formula
粳米Jing Mi15g
Non-glutinous Rice- harmonize the stomach and direct counterflow downward
- nourishes the stomach and harmonize the center
Classical Composition
- Lophatheri Herba (Zhu Ye) 2 ba (6g)
- Gypsum Fibrosum (Shi Gao) 1 jin (50g)
- Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia) 0.5 sheng (9g)
- Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong) (Ban Xia) 1 sheng (20g)
- Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 2 liang (6g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Zhi Gan Cao) 2 liang (6g)
- Semen Oryza Sativa (Jing Mi) 0.5 sheng (10g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears heat and generates fluids
- boosts qi and harmonizes the stomach.
Indications
- Cold damage, warm disease, summerheat disease with residual heat, and damage of both qi and fluid.
- The signs include body fever, profuse sweating, chest distress and restlessness, nausea, dry mouth and polydipsia, low spirits and weak breathing, dry throat and lips, poor appetite, cough and choking, insomnia, a red tongue with little coating, and a weak and rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- In the late stage of a febrile disease, even though the high fever is eliminated, the residual heat stays in the qi level with fever, profuse sweating, dry mouth, and polydipsia.
- The heat disturbs the heart spirit, so there appears palpitations, restlessness, and insomnia.
- In the late stage of a febrile disease with stomach qi damage, there is a bland taste in the mouth and a poor appetite.
- The residual heat disturbs internally to produce counterflow lung and stomach qi, leading to nausea, or cough.
- The characteristic of the formula and pattern is residual heat staying in the lung and stomach with damage of qi and yin and disharmony of the stomach qi.
Clinical presentation
- The heat damages the qi and yin, so there appears fatigue, shortness of breath, dry throat and lips, a red tongue with little coating, and a rapid and deficient pulse.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to clear residual heat, nourish Yin and support Qi after febrile disease.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang clears residual heat and generates fluids. Bai Hu Tang strongly clears Yangming heat at the peak. Sheng Mai San pure-tonifies Qi-Yin without heat-clearing. Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang addresses summer-heat damaging Qi-Yin.
Clinical Differentiation
- Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang is commonly used for residual heat with both qi and yin consumption, and damage and disharmony of the stomach qi in the later stage of a febrile disease pattern.
- This clinical pattern is marked by body fever and profuse sweating, dry throat and thirst, fatigue and shortness of breath, poor appetite, counterflow qi and nausea, red tongue body with little coating, and a rapid, deficient pulse.
Safety notes: This formula has a cool property and function to clear heat and moisturize. It should not be used for patients with internal phlegm-dampness or fever due to yang deficiency.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang?
Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang has the actions of clearing residual Heat, generating fluids, tonifying Qi, and harmonizing the Stomach. It is designed for the later stage of febrile disease when pathogenic Heat has largely subsided but residual Heat remains and Qi and Yin have been damaged.
Which modern diseases is Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within residual Heat with Qi and fluid damage, including recovery stage of pneumonia, encephalitis, measles, influenza or other febrile illnesses, heat stroke or summerheat fever in the later phase, and certain presentations of diabetic thirst or post-illness weakness with lingering low-grade Heat.
Is Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang suitable for improving lingering low-grade fever, thirst, irritability, and weakness after a febrile illness?
For presentations of lingering body heat with sweating, restlessness or irritability in the chest, thirst with desire to drink, possible mild nausea or rebellious Qi, fatigue and shortness of breath, a dry red tongue with little coating, and a deficient rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms residual Heat with Qi and Yin damage — TCM commonly applies Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical care.
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Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Residual Heat, Qi & Yin Damage After Febrile Disease
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Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Summer-Heat Damaging Qi & Fluids
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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.