Qing Wei San — Clear the Stomach Powder

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Comparisons with related formulas
7. Cautions

Overview

Qing Wei San — the “Clear the Stomach Powder” — is a Jin-Yuan dynasty formula by Li Dongyuan in Lan Shi Mi Cang. It addresses Stomach Fire blazing upward to the head, with toothache, swollen bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, halitosis and facial heat. The combination of cold Heat-clearing herbs (Huang Lian, Mu Dan Pi) with Blood-cooling, ascending Sheng Ma and Yin-nourishing Sheng Di gives the formula its distinctive ability to clear Stomach Fire upward while protecting Yin.

I prescribe Qing Wei San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Qing Wei San is prescribed for Stomach Fire blazing upward:

• Severe throbbing toothache — particularly in the upper teeth
• Red, swollen, bleeding gums — gingivitis
• Mouth ulcers and aphthous ulcers
• Bad breath — foul, hot-smelling
• Burning sensation in the mouth
• Hot, flushed face
• Increased appetite, constant hunger
• Thirst for cold drinks
• Constipation
• Tongue — red, yellow coat
• Pulse — slippery, rapid, forceful

Key herbs

1. Huang Lian — chief; drains Stomach Fire
2. Sheng Di Huang — nourishes Yin and cools Blood
3. Mu Dan Pi — cools Blood and clears Heat
4. Dang Gui — nourishes Blood (Stomach Fire damages Blood)
5. Sheng Ma — lifts the formula to the upper face; clears Heat from the gums

Formula actions

1. Drains Stomach Fire
2. Cools Blood
3. Nourishes Yin to balance the cold action
4. Resolves toothache, gum inflammation, mouth ulcers

Conditions treated

1. Acute dental abscess with severe toothache (alongside dental care)
2. Acute gingivitis with bleeding
3. Recurrent severe mouth ulcers
4. Halitosis from Stomach Fire
5. Trigeminal neuralgia with Heat pattern — see trigeminal neuralgia
6. Acne around the mouth and lower face from Stomach Fire
7. Severe acid reflux with burning sensation
8. Polyphagia in early diabetes (alongside diabetes care)

Comparisons with related formulas

• Xie Huang San — for latent Spleen-Stomach Heat with chronic mouth ulcers; gentler.
• Yu Nu Jian — for Stomach Heat with Yin deficiency causing bleeding gums.
• Bai Hu Tang — for vigorous Yang Ming Heat with high fever; more systemic.
• Yu Nu Jian Jia Zhi Mu Huang Bai — modification for prominent Yin deficiency.

Cautions

Acute severe toothache or dental abscess needs urgent dental care — this formula is supportive only.

Persistent gingivitis, bleeding gums or oral lesions need dental and medical assessment.

Not appropriate for cold-pattern toothache or Yin-deficient mouth ulcers without Heat signs.

Use cautiously in pregnancy — Sheng Ma and Mu Dan Pi have moving properties.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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