Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Star普济消毒饮 (Universal Benefit Decoction to Eliminate Toxin)
Source: Dong Heng Shi Xiao Fang — Li Gao (Li Dong-Heng) (1202)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin (Universal Benefit Decoction to Eliminate Toxin), from the Dong Heng Shi Xiao Fang (Tested and Effective Formulas by Dong Heng) by Li Gao (Li Dong-Heng).
Actions: Clears heat and eliminates toxin; Dispels wind and disperses pathogenic factors.
Presentation: Da tou wen (swollen head epidemic) with wind, heat, and toxin in the upper jiao and head: redness, swelling and pain of the face and head; red and swollen eyes, difficulty in opening the eyes; fever, aversion to cold, a sore throat, thirst, a dry, red tongue with a yellow tongue coating, and a rapid, forceful pulse.
Cautions:
- Use with caution in yin or fluid deficiency (bitter, cold, acrid and dispersing)
- Avoid pungent, spicy, oily or greasy foods while taking it
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Antibiotic: many component herbs show in vitro and in vivo antibacterial and antiviral effects
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 355.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huang Qin
chao (dry-fried) with liquor; as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 15g
|
15g | 18.25% | Jun (Chief) | Clears heat and eliminates toxin from the head |
|
Huang Lian
chao (dry-fried) with liquor; as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 15g
|
15g | 18.25% | Jun (Chief) | Clears heat and eliminates toxin from the head |
|
Niu Bang Zi
as printed: Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii) 3g
|
3g | 3.65% | Chen (Deputy) | Disperses wind-heat accumulated in the head |
|
Lian Qiao
as printed: Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) 3g
|
3g | 3.65% | Chen (Deputy) | Disperses wind-heat accumulated in the head |
|
Bo He
A variation uses 6g Bo He and omits Ren Shen; as printed: Bo He (Herba Menthae) 3g
|
3g | 3.65% | Chen (Deputy) | Disperses wind-heat accumulated in the head |
|
Jiang Can
as printed: Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 2.55% | Chen (Deputy) | Disperses wind-heat accumulated in the head |
|
Xuan Shen
as printed: Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae) 6g
|
6g | 7.3% | Chen (Deputy) | Clears heat, eliminates toxin, protects yin from drying herbs |
|
Ma Bo
as printed: Ma Bo (Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia) 3g
|
3g | 3.65% | Chen (Deputy) | Clears heat and eliminates toxin |
|
Ban Lan Gen
as printed: Ban Lan Gen (Radix Isatidis) 3g
|
3g | 3.65% | Chen (Deputy) | Clears heat and eliminates toxin |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 6g
|
6g | 7.3% | Chen (Deputy) | With Gan Cao relieves sore throat |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 6g
|
6g | 7.3% | Chen (Deputy) | With Jie Geng relieves sore throat |
|
Sheng Ma
as printed: Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 2.55% | Shi (Envoy) | Disperses wind-heat and guides herbs up to the head |
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 6g
|
6g | 7.3% | Shi (Envoy) | Disperses wind-heat and guides herbs up to the head |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 6g
|
6g | 7.3% | Regulates qi to reduce swelling and inflammation | |
|
Ren Shen
May be removed if no underlying deficiency; as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 9g [3g]
|
3g | 3.65% | Tonifies qi, protects the body from bitter cold herbs |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net cool (-1.01)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 44%, cool 25%, neutral 21%, warm 11%.
Small but decisive: Niu Bang Zi 3g (cold, 4% of the grams), Ban Lan Gen 3g (cold, 4% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 23%
- sweet 13%
- bitter 61%
- salty 4%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 71%
- Stomach 64%
- Spleen 57%
- Heart 55%
- Gallbladder 44%
- Large intestine 39%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Source: grind to powder, decoct and take warm frequently in small sips; or form honey pills dissolved under the tongue. Add Da Huang for constipation. Today decocted with the bracketed Ren Shen dose. A variation uses 6g Bo He and omits Ren Shen.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Jie Geng Tang + Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Ban Lan Gen, Bo He, Jiang Can, Lian Qiao, Ma Bo, Niu Bang Zi, Xuan Shen, Chai Hu, Sheng Ma, Chen Pi and Ren Shen
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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