Xie Xin Tang泻心汤

Drain the Epigastrium Decoction

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

Ingredients3 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

大Da Huang大黄Rhei Radix et Rhizoma6gDrains fire downward through the bowel and cools blood, stopping the upward driving of blood 黄Huang Lian黄连Coptidis Rhizoma3gDrains Heart and Stomach fire 黄Huang Qin黄芩Scutellariae Radix3gDrains fire from the upper burner and cools the blood

Indications

Drains fire and resolves toxicityDirects fire downward through the bowelCools the blood and stops bleeding

Fire blazing in the interior and forcing blood to move recklessly. Distinct from pure fire-draining because the bowel is used as the exit: the strategy is to remove the fire's fuel and its upward pressure at the same time.

Clinical Manifestations

Nosebleed or vomiting of blood driven by fire
Fire toxicity with constipation and a flushed face
Mouth and tongue sores with epigastric fullness
Red painful eyes with fire excess
Toxic swellings and sores with heat

TongueRed with a yellow coating

PulseRapid and forceful

Health Categories

Digestive HealthCold & Flu Relief

Modern Applications

Epistaxis Haematemesis Peptic ulcer bleeding Constipation with fever Stomatitis

Common adjustments

Heavy bleeding — add Bai Mao Gen 白茅根 and Ce Bai Ye 侧柏叶
Stools not blocked — cook Da Huang with the other herbs rather than adding it late, so it drains fire without purging hard
Marked toxic sores — add Jin Yin Hua 金银花 and Pu Gong Ying 蒲公英

Contraindications

Not for bleeding from deficiency, cold, or qi failing to hold blood. Da Huang purges, so it is unsuitable for weak patients and for those with loose stools; stop as soon as the fire pattern resolves.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy — Da Huang is a strong purgative that stimulates the bowel and, by tradition, is avoided in pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Related Formulas

References

Source Jin Gui Yao Lue 《金匮要略》 · Eastern Han

「心气不足，吐血、衄血，泻心汤主之。」
— 《金匮要略》(classical source, public domain)

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.