Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Star竹叶柽柳汤 (Lophatherum and Tamarisk Decoction)
Source: Extensive Notes on Medicine from the First-Awakened Studio (1613)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang (Lophatherum and Tamarisk Decoction), from Extensive Notes on Medicine from the First-Awakened Studio (1613).
Actions: Releases the exterior; Vents rashes; Clears heat; Generates fluids
Indications: Early-stage measles, scarlet fever, or similar diseases with unevenly distributed rashes, cough, wheezing, nasal obstruction and runny nose, slight chills and a sustained high fever, irritability, a stifling sensation in the chest, restlessness or even confusion, swollen and painful throat, thirst with dryness of the mouth, a thin yellow and dry tongue coating, and a floating, rapid pulse.
Pattern: Yang toxin heat in Lungs and Stomach damaging fluids with wind-heat obstructing the exterior
Cautions:
- Only where excess heat is actively damaging fluids; its bitter-cold herbs may block venting if misused (use Yin Qiao San plus chan tui and da qing ye when heat is less)
Modifications:
- severe cough and wheezing: add Eriobotryae Folium (pi pa ye), Peucedani Radix (qian hu), Cynanchi stauntonii Rhizoma (bai qian)
- severely painful, swollen throat: add Isatidis Radix (ban lan gen) and Isatidis Folium (da qing ye)
- dark-red rash (blood level): add Moutan Cortex (mu dan pi) and Paeoniae Radix rubra (chi shao)
- severe qi-aspect heat with sweating and thirst: add Gypsum fibrosum (shi gao) and Forsythiae Fructus (lian qiao)
Commentary: Miao Xi-Yong's late-Ming formula anticipating Ye Tian-Shi's warm-disease strategy: vent rashes while protecting fluids and preventing heat from sinking into the Pericardium.
Category: Formulas that Release Exterior Wind-Heat.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 43.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cheng Liu
as printed: Tamaricis Cacumen (cheng liu) 15g
|
15g | 23.81% | Jun (Chief) | acrid, neutral, ascending; enters yang brightness to discharge measles-like rashes |
|
Niu Bang Zi
as printed: Arctii Fructus (niu bang zi) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 7.14% | Chen (Deputy) | opens exterior and Lung collaterals, soothes throat, resolves toxicity, vents rashes |
|
Dan Zhu Ye
as printed: Lophatheri Herba (dan zhu ye) 9g
|
9g | 14.29% | Chen (Deputy) | clears Heart heat via urine; prevents toxin sinking into the Pericardium |
|
Jing Jie
as printed: Schizonepetae Spica (jing jie sui) 3g
|
3g | 4.76% | Zuo (Assistant) | releases the exterior and vents toxins |
|
Ge Gen
as printed: Puerariae Radix (ge gen) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 7.14% | Zuo (Assistant) | releases the exterior, disperses fire from constraint |
|
Chan Tui
as printed: Cicadae Periostracum (chan tui) 3g
|
3g | 4.76% | Zuo (Assistant) | releases the exterior and vents toxins |
|
Bo He
as printed: Menthae haplocalycis Herba (bo he) 3g
|
3g | 4.76% | Zuo (Assistant) | releases the exterior and vents toxins |
|
Zhi Mu
as printed: honey-prepared Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (mi zhi zhi mu) 3g
|
3g | 4.76% | Zuo (Assistant) | drains interior heat and generates fluids |
|
Xuan Shen
as printed: Scrophulariae Radix (xuan shen) 6g
|
6g | 9.52% | Zuo (Assistant) | drains interior heat and generates fluids |
|
Mai Men Dong
as printed: Ophiopogonis Radix (mai men dong) 9g
|
9g | 14.29% | Zuo (Assistant) | generates fluids, helps vent toxin outward |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Glycyrrhizae Radix (gan cao) 3g
|
3g | 4.76% | clears heat, resolves toxicity, harmonizes |
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 (-1.07)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 45%, cool 21%, neutral 29%, warm 5%.
Small but decisive: Chan Tui 3g (cold, 5% of the grams), Niu Bang Zi 4.5g (cold, 7% of the grams), Zhi Mu 3g (cold, 5% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 25%
- sweet 39%
- bitter 16%
- salty 14%
- bland 7%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 86%
- Lung 79%
- Heart 57%
- Spleen 26%
- Small intestine 14%
- Kidney 14%
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; for severe heat add 15g Gypsum fibrosum (shi gao) and a pinch of winter rice.
Relationships
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Formula Network
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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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