Qing Gu San清骨散

Cool the Bones Powder

Clearing Heat 清热剂Clear Deficiency Heat 清虚热

Ingredients8 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

银Yin Chai Hu银柴胡Stellariae Radix5g君 ChiefClears deficiency heat from the yin level without the raising action of Chai Hu 胡Hu Huang Lian胡黄连Picrorrhizae Rhizoma3g臣 DeputyDrains deficiency fire and the heat of childhood malnutrition patterns 秦Qin Jiao秦艽Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix3g佐 AssistantFrees the channels so the heat has a route out, and eases the aching 鳖Bie Jia鳖甲醋炙Trionycis Carapax3g佐 AssistantEnriches yin and anchors the cooling herbs in the yin level 地Di Gu Pi地骨皮Lycii Cortex3g臣 DeputyCools the heat that steams out of the bones and flesh 青Qing Hao青蒿Artemisiae Annuae Herba3g佐 AssistantVents the lurking heat outward through the exterior 知Zhi Mu知母Anemarrhenae Rhizoma3g臣 DeputyDrains fire and moistens, so the cooling does not dry 甘Gan Cao甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix2g使 EnvoyHarmonizes the group and guards the Stomach through a long course

Indications

Clears deficiency heatRelieves steaming-bone tidal feverNourishes yin without cloying

Liver and Kidney yin deficiency with internal deficiency fireof the consumptive type. Yin no longer restrains yang, so heat rises from the depths at a fixed hour each day. Cooling alone would exhaust the yin further, so every herb here is cool but moist.

Clinical Manifestations

Steaming-bone fever with heat felt deep inside
Tidal fever in the afternoon or evening, long-standing
Night sweats with heat in the palms and soles
Progressive weight loss with red cheeks and dry lips
Chronic low-grade fever in consumptive conditions

TongueRed with little coating

PulseThin and rapid

Health Categories

Weight ManagementImmune SupportCold & Flu Relief

Modern Applications

Chronic low-grade fever Night sweats Tuberculosis Weight loss Hyperthyroidism

Common adjustments

Night sweats heavy — add Wu Wei Zi 五味子 and Mu Li 牡蛎
Blood deficiency alongside — add Dang Gui 当归 and Bai Shao 白芍
Cough with blood-streaked sputum — add Bai Bu 百部 and E Jiao 阿胶
Poor appetite with a weak Spleen — add Fu Ling 茯苓 and Shan Yao 山药 to protect digestion

Contraindications

Not for fever of an excess pattern or of an unresolved exterior. Not for fever with a greasy coating from damp-heat. The formula is cool and somewhat rich, so a weak Spleen with loose stools tolerates it poorly. Long-standing fever, night sweats and weight loss are a presentation that must be investigated medically — tuberculosis, thyroid disease and malignancy all present this way.

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

Pregnancy

Avoid in pregnancy unless a practitioner judges otherwise — Bie Jia is conventionally withheld in pregnancy, and the formula as a whole is cold. Persistent fever or night sweats in pregnancy require medical evaluation.

Related Formulas

Qin Jiao Bie Jia San秦艽鳖甲散

References

Source Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng 《证治准绳》 · Ming

Classical source (public domain) — composition per the standard textbook record.
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.