Xie Qing Wan泻青丸
Drain the Green Pill
Ingredients7 herbs
Indications
Pent-up fire in the Liver channel: the fire is constrained rather than simply full, so it is drained downward and vented outward at the same time. Blood-nourishing herbs are kept in because bitter draining alone would leave the Liver drier than it began.
Clinical Manifestations
- Red swollen painful eyes with Liver fire
- Irritability, anger and restlessness at night
- Childhood high fever with twitching or convulsions
- Headache and dizziness from Liver fire
- Constipation with dark urine in a Liver fire pattern
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Convulsions in a child — add Gou Teng 钩藤 and Jiang Can 僵蚕
- Eyes very red and swollen — add Ju Hua 菊花 and Xia Ku Cao 夏枯草
- Stools not blocked — reduce Da Huang 大黄 so the formula drains fire without purging
Contraindications
Not for Liver yang rising on a background of yin or blood deficiency, where the person is depleted rather than full. Contains Da Huang — unsuitable for weak patients or loose stools, and not for long courses.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy — the formula contains Da Huang, a purgative avoided in pregnancy, alongside strongly bitter cold herbs.
Related Formulas
References
Source Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue 《小儿药证直诀》 · Northern Song
- 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.