Qing Dan Xie Huo Tang
Star清胆泻火汤 (Clear the Gallbladder and Drain Fire Decoction)
Source: Integrated Chinese and Western Medical Treatment of the Acute Abdomen (1973)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Qing Dan Xie Huo Tang (Clear the Gallbladder and Drain Fire Decoction), from Integrated Chinese and Western Medical Treatment of the Acute Abdomen (1973).
Associated formula of Long Dan Xie Gan Tang.
Actions: Spreads Liver qi; Unblocks the interior; Resolves dampness
Usage: For the fire-excess type of acute cholecystitis: unremitting hypochondriac pain, bitter taste, alternating fever and chills, abdominal distention, red tongue with dry yellow coating, wiry slippery rapid or flooding rapid pulse.
Category: Formulas that Clear Heat from the Organs.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 201.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Bupleuri Radix (chai hu) 15g
|
15g | 12.2% | — | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Scutellariae Radix (huang qin) 15g
|
15g | 12.2% | — | |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Pinelliae Rhizoma preparatum (zhi ban xia) 9g
|
9g | 7.32% | — | |
|
Yin Chen
as printed: Artemisiae scopariae Herba (yin chen) 30g
|
30g | 24.39% | — | |
|
Zhi Zi
as printed: Gardeniae Fructus (zhi zi) 9g
|
9g | 7.32% | — | |
|
Long Dan Cao
as printed: Gentianae Radix (long dan cao) 9g
|
9g | 7.32% | — | |
|
Yu Jin
as printed: Curcumae Radix (yu jin) 9g
|
9g | 7.32% | — | |
|
Mu Xiang
as printed: Aucklandiae Radix (mu xiang) 9g
|
9g | 7.32% | — | |
|
Da Huang
add near end; as printed: Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (da huang) [add near end] 9g
|
9g | 7.32% | — | |
|
Mang Xiao
dissolve in strained decoction; as printed: Natrii Sulfas (mang xiao) [dissolve in strained decoction] 9g
|
9g | 7.32% | — |
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 (-1.20)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 49%, cool 37%, warm 15%.
Small but decisive: Zhi Zi 9g (cold, 7% of the grams), Long Dan Cao 9g (cold, 7% of the grams), Yu Jin 9g (cold, 7% of the grams), Da Huang 9g (cold, 7% of the grams), Mang Xiao 9g (cold, 7% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 33%
- bitter 63%
- salty 4%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 66%
- Gallbladder 63%
- Spleen 59%
- Liver 59%
- Lung 34%
- Large intestine 34%
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.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Yin Chen Hao Tang + Bai Hu Cheng Qi Tang + Ban Xia, Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Long Dan Cao, Mu Xiang and Yu Jin
- This formula = Bai Hu Cheng Qi Tang + Yin Chen Hao Tang + Ban Xia, Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Long Dan Cao, Mu Xiang and Yu Jin
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.
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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