Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang竹叶石膏汤
Lophatherus and Gypsum Decoction
Ingredients7 herbs
Indications
Residual heat with qi and fluids both damaged, typically in the recovery phase of a warm or cold-damage febrile illness, or after summerheat. The Stomach qi has also been unsettled and rebels upward.
Clinical Manifestations
- Convalescence from fever with low-grade heat, sweating and thirst
- Emaciation and shortness of breath after an illness
- Nausea or retching with a dry mouth
- Restless irritability and poor sleep in recovery
- Summerheat damage with thirst and exhaustion
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Stomach yin markedly depleted, mirror-like tongue — add Shi Hu 石斛 and Tian Hua Fen 天花粉
- Vomiting prominent — increase Ban Xia 半夏 and add Zhu Ru 竹茹
- Heat still strong — increase Shi Gao 石膏 and add Lu Gen 芦根
- Poor appetite with a weak Spleen — add Shan Yao 山药 and [Gu Ya 谷芽]
Contraindications
Not for the height of a fever when heat is still blazing and the person is robust — that stage needs Bai Hu Tang, not a formula half made of tonics. Not for interior cold with copious clear phlegm.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Generally usable in pregnancy under practitioner supervision — it is gentler than Bai Hu Tang and contains fluid-restoring herbs, but Ban Xia and the cold base still call for a practitioner's judgment.
References
Source Shang Han Lun 《伤寒论》 · Eastern Han
「伤寒解后，虚羸少气，气逆欲吐，竹叶石膏汤主之。」
- 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.