Skip to content
Cura x Cura

Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin普济消毒饮

Universal Benefit Decoction to Eliminate Toxin

Clearing Heat 清热剂Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity 清热解毒

Ingredients14 herbs

黄Huang Qin黄芩酒炒15g君 ChiefDrains fire from the upper burner, wine-fried so it reaches the head黄Huang Lian黄连酒炒15g君 ChiefClears fire toxin and works with Huang Qin as the core of the formula陈Chen Pi陈皮去白6g佐 AssistantMoves qi so the stagnation under the swelling can disperse, and guards the Stomach against so much bitter cold甘Gan Cao甘草生用6g佐 AssistantResolves toxin, eases the throat and harmonizes a large and cold prescription玄Xuan Shen玄参6g佐 AssistantCools the blood, protects fluids and soothes a scorched throat柴Chai Hu柴胡6g佐使 Assistant–EnvoyDisperses the constrained heat along the sides of the head with Sheng Ma桔Jie Geng桔梗6g佐 AssistantOpens the Lung, eases the throat and floats the other herbs upward连Lian Qiao连翘3g臣 DeputyClears heat toxin and dissipates swelling and nodules板Ban Lan Gen板蓝根3g佐 AssistantResolves epidemic toxin, a mainstay for swollen throat and mumps马Ma Bo马勃3g佐 AssistantClears Lung heat and settles throat pain牛Niu Bang Zi牛蒡子3g臣 DeputyScatters wind-heat and relieves a swollen, blocked throat薄Bo He薄荷3g臣 DeputyLightly disperses wind-heat from the head and eyes僵Jiang Can僵蚕2g臣 DeputyDispels wind and softens hard swelling升Sheng Ma升麻2g佐使 Assistant–EnvoyRaises and vents the trapped fire, guiding the formula to the head

Indications

Clears heat and resolves fire toxinDisperses wind-heat from the head and faceReduces swelling and eases the throat

Wind-heat epidemic toxin attacking the head and face. Because the toxin has risen and lodged above, the treatment must both clear it and give it a way out — clearing alone drives it inward, dispersing alone leaves the fire burning.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Severe sore throat with visible swelling
  • Mumps and other parotid swelling
  • Erysipelas or cellulitis of the head and face
  • Red, hot, swollen eyelids with fever
  • Swollen tender neck nodes
  • Acute tonsillitis with high fever and thirst
TongueRed with a dry yellow coating
PulseFloating, rapid and forceful

Health Categories

Respiratory HealthSkin HealthImmune Support

Modern Applications

MumpsErysipelasTonsillitisFacial cellulitisCervical lymphadenitisPharyngitis

Common adjustments

Contraindications

For excess heat toxin only. It is wrong for a sore throat of yin deficiency or of deficiency-cold with pale swelling and no fever. The bitter cold herbs injure the Stomach if continued — stop once the swelling and fever have settled. Facial swelling with fever needs medical assessment; this is not a substitute for urgent care when breathing or swallowing is compromised.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Use with caution in pregnancy — the formula is strongly cold and dispersing and includes Jiang Can. Only under practitioner supervision, and the Da Huang modification should be avoided.

References

Source Dong Yuan Shi Xiao Fang 《东垣试效方》 · Jin

「初觉憎寒体重，次传头面肿盛，目不能开，上喘，咽喉不利，舌干口燥。」
— 《东垣试效方》(classical source, public domain)
  1. Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
    2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
    3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.