Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang
Star吴氏连梅汤 (Master Wu's Coptis and Mume Decoction)
Source: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang (Master Wu's Coptis and Mume Decoction), from Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798).
Actions: Drains heat; Preserves fluids; Transforms yin
Indications: Wasting and thirsting, heat in the Heart, irritability and restlessness, paralysis and clouding of consciousness, a dry, cracked tongue, and a submerged and thin pulse.
Pattern: Summerheat entering the lesser yin and terminal yin, damaging fluids
Cautions:
- Contraindicated for summerheat damage without severe fluid loss; thirst and irritability alone are not indications without a submerged thin pulse, dry cracked tongue, or signs of wasting
Commentary: Pairs sour-bitter herbs to drain heat with sour-sweet herbs to transform yin, so the astringent Mume restrains fluids without trapping the pathogen; modern use extends to diabetes.
Category: Formulas that Dispel Summerheat and Preserve the Body Fluids.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 246.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Coptidis Rhizoma (huang lian) 6g
|
6g | 15.38% | Jun (Chief) | enters the Heart to drain pathogenic summerheat |
|
Wu Mei
as printed: Mume Fructus (wu mei) 9g
|
9g | 23.08% | Chen (Deputy) | generates fluids and stops thirst; specific for wasting and thirsting |
|
Mai Men Dong
as printed: Ophiopogonis Radix (mai men dong) 9g
|
9g | 23.08% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies water to stop thirst and extinguish wind |
|
Sheng Di Huang
as printed: Rehmanniae Radix (sheng di huang) 9g
|
9g | 23.08% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies water to stop thirst and extinguish wind |
|
E Jiao
role: also serves as envoy; as printed: Asini Corii Colla (e jiao) 6g
|
6g | 15.38% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies blood and yin, softens the Liver to extinguish wind; also guides into the lesser and terminal yin |
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 (-1.23)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 62%, neutral 39%.
Taste
- sweet 39%
- sour 23%
- bitter 39%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 77%
- Lung 62%
- Spleen 62%
- Heart 62%
- Large intestine 39%
- Stomach 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
Decoction: decoct in 5 cups of water down to 2 and take in two doses; if clouding of consciousness is severe, take Purple Snow Special Pill (zi xue dan) first.
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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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