Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang — Sweet Wormwood & Scutellaria Decoction to Clear the Gallbladder

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang — the “Sweet Wormwood and Scutellaria Decoction to Clear the Gallbladder” — is from Yu Genchu’s Qing-dynasty Chong Ding Tong Su Shang Han Lun. It is the Damp-Heat equivalent of Xiao Chai Hu Tang: where Xiao Chai Hu Tang harmonises the Shao Yang in pure Wind-Heat alternating fever, Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang clears the same Shao Yang channel when Damp-Heat has lodged there, producing more pronounced bitter taste, nausea, sticky tongue coat and the alternating fever-and-chills pattern typical of viral hepatitis, malaria-type illness or chronic Damp-Heat hepatobiliary conditions.

I prescribe Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang is prescribed for Damp-Heat in the Shao Yang and Gallbladder:

• Alternating fever and chills with fever predominant
• Bitter taste, dry mouth
• Nausea, vomiting of bitter or sour fluid
• Chest and lateral-costal fullness
• Right upper quadrant discomfort
• Possible jaundice
• Dark yellow urine
• Tongue — red, yellow greasy coat
• Pulse — wiry, slippery, rapid

Key herbs

1. Qing Hao (sweet wormwood) — clears Heat from the Shao Yang; particularly effective for low-grade chronic Heat
2. Huang Qin — clears Damp-Heat from the Gallbladder
3. Zhu Ru — clears Stomach Heat; stops nausea
4. Ban Xia, Chen Pi — harmonise the Stomach; descend rebellious Qi; transform Phlegm
5. Chi Fu Ling — drains Damp through urination
6. Hua Shi, Qing Dai — clear Damp-Heat and resolve toxin
7. Zhi Ke — regulates Qi

Formula actions

1. Clears Damp-Heat from the Shao Yang and Gallbladder
2. Harmonises the Stomach; stops nausea
3. Drains Damp through urination

Conditions treated

1. Viral hepatitis with alternating fever, jaundice, nausea (with conventional care)
2. Acute cholecystitis or cholangitis in the recovery phase
3. Malaria (with conventional antimalarial therapy)
4. Chronic biliary disease with Damp-Heat pattern
5. Post-viral fatigue with Damp-Heat and Shao Yang pattern
6. Chronic low-grade fever of unknown origin with Damp-Heat
7. EBV reactivation with Shao Yang Damp-Heat pattern

Cautions

Acute hepatitis, cholecystitis or jaundice require urgent medical assessment alongside any herbal support.

Persistent fever of unknown origin needs investigation to exclude serious infection, autoimmune disease or malignancy.

Not appropriate for pure Cold or pure Yin-deficient patterns.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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