Qing Pi Tang
Star清脾汤 (Clear the Spleen Decoction)
Source: Ji Sheng Fang (1253)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Qing Pi Tang (Clear the Spleen Decoction), from Formulas to Aid the Living (1253).
Actions: Harmonizes and resolves; Clears heat; Dries dampness; Transforms phlegm; Moves the qi; Improves the Spleen's transportive function
Indications: Alternating fever and chills (fever predominant) or fever without chills, focal distention, loss of appetite, a bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, thirst, dark urine, constipation, a yellow, greasy tongue coating, and a rapid, wiry pulse
Pattern: Pure heat or warm malaria from phlegm-dampness trapping heat
Cautions:
- Contraindicated for malarial disorders without phlegm-dampness
Modifications:
- To strengthen the antipathogenic action: Add chang shan and bing lang
- Severe fever: Add shi gao
- Pronounced phlegm-dampness: Add chen pi and cang zhu
- Weak constitution with qi deficiency: Add ren shen
Commentary: A Minor Bupleurum variant for pure heat malaria; it supports normal qi while attacking the pathogen, so it is commonly used for malaria in pregnancy.
Category: Formulas that Treat Malarial Disorders and Vent Pathogens from the Membrane Source.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 135.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
dose printed as 9-12g; as printed: Bupleuri Radix (chai hu) 9-12g
|
g | — | Jun (Chief) | Resolves lesser yang, vents pathogens, clears heat |
|
Huang Qin
dose printed as 9-12g; as printed: Scutellariae Radix (huang qin) 9-12g
|
g | — | Jun (Chief) | With chai hu resolves lesser yang and clears heat |
|
Cao Guo
dose printed as 6-9g; as printed: Tsaoko Fructus (cao guo) 6-9g
|
g | — | Chen (Deputy) | Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, opens the qi dynamic |
|
Ban Xia
dose printed as 9-12g; as printed: Pinelliae Rhizoma preparatum (zhi ban xia) 9-12g
|
g | — | Chen (Deputy) | Dries dampness, transforms phlegm |
|
Qing Pi
dose printed as 4.5-6g; as printed: Citri reticulatae viride Pericarpium (qing pi) 4.5-6g
|
g | — | Zuo (Assistant) | Moves qi, expels fullness, dries dampness |
|
Hou Po
dose printed as 9-12g; as printed: ginger Magnoliae officinalis Cortex (jiang hou po) 9-12g
|
g | — | Zuo (Assistant) | Moves qi, expels fullness, dries dampness |
|
Bai Zhu
dose printed as 9-12g; as printed: Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma (bai zhu) 9-12g
|
g | — | Zuo (Assistant) | Strengthens the Spleen, augments qi, dispels dampness |
|
Fu Ling
dose printed as 9-12g; as printed: Poria (fu ling) 9-12g
|
g | — | Zuo (Assistant) | Strengthens the Spleen, dispels dampness |
|
Gan Cao
dose printed as 1.5-3g; as printed: Glycyrrhizae Radix preparata (zhi gan cao) 1.5-3g
|
g | — | Shi (Envoy) | Harmonizes and moderates harshness |
Preparation
Source text: grind equal amounts coarsely, decoct 12g with 5 pieces of fresh ginger. Now decocted with a little wine, taken 2-3 times starting three hours before an expected attack.
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Formula family
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.
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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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