Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang清暑益气汤
Clear Summer-Heat and Augment the Qi Decoction
Ingredients10 herbs
Indications
Summer-heat that has consumed both qi and fluids: the pathogen is still present but the body's reserves are already spent, so clearing alone would deplete further and tonifying alone would trap the heat.
Clinical Manifestations
- Exhaustion and sweating after summer heat exposure
- Persistent thirst with scanty dark urine
- Low-grade fever that will not settle in hot weather
- Shortness of breath and lassitude in summer
- Convalescence after heat exhaustion
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Heat still strong, high fever — add Shi Gao 石膏
- Fluids severely depleted, tongue dry and peeled — increase Shi Hu 石斛 and Mai Men Dong 麦门冬, or add Lu Gen 芦根
- Sweating so profuse that qi is leaking with it — add Wu Wei Zi 五味子 to secure the exterior alongside the qi tonic
- Xi Yang Shen unavailable — Tai Zi Shen 太子参 is the usual gentler substitute, at the practitioner's discretion
Contraindications
Not for summer-heat complicated by damp — the enriching, fluid-generating ingredients will hold the damp in place; a thick greasy coating is the sign to choose a different formula. Not for an early, full-strength summer-heat pattern in a strong person, where tonifying would confine the heat. Not for exterior patterns that have not yet been released.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Generally compatible with practitioner judgment — the formula mostly clears heat and restores fluids. Huang Lian is markedly bitter and cold, so keep courses short in pregnancy and take under supervision.
Related Formulas
References
Source Wen Re Jing Wei 《温热经纬》 · Qing
- Classical source (public domain), as recorded in the source field.
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.