Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang
Star清暑益气汤 (Clear Summer-Heat and Augment the Qi Decoction)
Source: Wen Re Jing Wei — Wang Meng-Ying (1852)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Clear Summer-Heat and Augment the Qi Decoction), from the Wen Re Jing Wei (Warp and Woof of Warm-Febrile Diseases) by Wang Meng-Ying.
Actions: Dispels summer-heat; Tonifies qi, nourishes yin, and generates body fluids.
Presentation: Summer-heat damaging both qi and body fluids: fever, profuse perspiration, irritability, thirst, scanty, dark-colored urine, lethargy, shortness of breath, and a deficient, rapid pulse.
Cautions:
- Inappropriate for summer-heat with dampness, because it contains yin-tonic herbs such as Mai Dong and Zhi Mu
Note: the book also describes a formula of the same name from Pi Wei Lun (p. 448). This record follows the Wen Re Jing Wei version.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 446, 448.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Xi Yang Shen
as printed: Xi Yang Shen (Radix Panacis Quinquefolii) [5g]
|
5g | 4.67% | Jun (Chief) | clears heat and tonifies qi, yin and body fluids |
|
Xi Gua
rind; as printed: Xi Gua Cui Pi (Exocarpium Citrulli) [30g]
|
30g | 28.04% | Jun (Chief) | clears heat and resolves summer-heat |
|
Zhi Mu
as printed: Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) [6g]
|
6g | 5.61% | Zuo (Assistant) | clears heat and relieves irritability |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) [3g]
|
3g | 2.8% | Zuo (Assistant) | listed ingredient; use cautiously (bitter cold can damage yin/fluids); omit if summer-heat mild but fluid damage severe |
|
Jing Mi
as printed: Geng Mi (Semen Oryzae) [15g]
|
15g | 14.02% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies qi and nourishes the Stomach |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) [3g]
|
3g | 2.8% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies qi and nourishes the Stomach |
|
He Geng
as printed: He Geng (Caulis Nelumbinis) [15g]
|
15g | 14.02% | helps Xi Gua Cui Pi clear summer-heat | |
|
Shi Hu
as printed: Shi Hu (Caulis Dendrobii) [15g]
|
15g | 14.02% | helps Xi Yang Shen clear heat and nourish yin | |
|
Mai Men Dong
as printed: Mai Dong (Radix Ophiopogonis) [9g]
|
9g | 8.41% | helps Xi Yang Shen clear heat and nourish yin | |
|
Zhu Ye
as printed: Zhu Ye (Herba Phyllostachys) [6g]
|
6g | 5.61% | clears heat and relieves irritability |
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 51%, cool 19%, neutral 31%.
Small but decisive: Mai Men Dong 9g (cold, 8% of the grams), Zhi Mu 6g (cold, 6% of the grams), Zhu Ye 6g (cold, 6% of the grams), Huang Lian 3g (cold, 3% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- sweet 71%
- bitter 26%
- bland 3%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 95%
- Heart 52%
- Spleen 42%
- Lung 41%
- Kidney 24%
- Liver 17%
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 text gives no doses; decoct today using the bracketed doses.
Relationships
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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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