Qing Bi Tang
Star清鼻汤 (Clear the Nose Decoction)
Source: Yan Fang (19th century)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Qing Bi Tang (Clear the Nose Decoction), from the Yan Fang (Time-Tested Formulas).
Actions: Clears nasal obstruction; Releases the exterior.
Presentation: Nasal obstruction caused by damp-heat: stuffy nose, yellow and sticky nasal discharge, sneezing, headache, itchy nose and throat, decreased sense of smell, decreased energy level, and fatigue.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 86.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ge Gen
as printed: Ge Gen (Radix Puerariae Lobatae) 12g
|
12g | 17.65% | Releases exterior pathogens | |
|
Ma Huang
as printed: Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) 6g
|
6g | 8.82% | Releases exterior pathogens | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 3g
|
3g | 4.41% | Releases exterior pathogens | |
|
Yi Yi Ren
as printed: Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) 10g
|
10g | 14.71% | Drains dampness and eliminates pus | |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 9g
|
9g | 13.24% | Drains dampness and eliminates pus | |
|
Xin Yi (Hua)
as printed: Xin Yi Hua (Flos Magnoliae) 8g
|
8g | 11.76% | Opens the nasal passages | |
|
Shi Gao
as printed: Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 2g
|
2g | 2.94% | Clears heat and reduces swelling | |
|
Da Huang
as printed: Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 3g
|
3g | 4.41% | Clears heat and reduces swelling | |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 3g
|
3g | 4.41% | Activates blood, relieves headache | |
|
Rou Gui
today usually replaced by Gui Zhi; as printed: Rou Gui (Cortex Cinnamomi) 5g
|
5g | 7.35% | Warms, dispels cold, moderates cold Shi Gao and Da Huang | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 3g
|
3g | 4.41% | Harmonizes ying and wei, balances acrid warm herbs | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 2g
|
2g | 2.94% | Harmonizes the formula | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 2g
|
2g | 2.94% | Harmonizes the formula |
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 neutral (-0.04)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 7%, cool 37%, neutral 16%, warm 32%, hot 7%.
Pairs warm and cool. 40% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 44% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Shi Gao 2g (cold, 3% of the grams), Da Huang 3g (cold, 4% of the grams), Rou Gui 5g (hot, 7% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 46%
- sweet 27%
- sour 2%
- bitter 18%
- bland 7%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 62%
- Lung 59%
- Spleen 59%
- Kidney 22%
- Liver 21%
- Large intestine 19%
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
Decoct and take warm with meals to avoid digestive discomfort.
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Ge Gen Tang without Gui Zhi + Jie Geng Tang + Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Chuan Xiong, Rou Gui, Shi Gao, Xin Yi (Hua) and Yi Yi Ren
- This formula = Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Ge Gen Tang + Jie Geng Tang + Chuan Xiong, Rou Gui, Shi Gao, Xin Yi (Hua) and Yi Yi Ren
- This formula = Jie Geng Tang + Ge Gen Tang + Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Chuan Xiong, Rou Gui, Shi Gao, Xin Yi (Hua) and Yi Yi Ren
- This formula = Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Ge Gen Tang + Jie Geng Tang + Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Chuan Xiong, Rou Gui, Shi Gao, Xin Yi (Hua) and Yi Yi Ren
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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