Qing Ying Tang — Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction

On this page

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

Overview

Qing Ying Tang — Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction — is the primary formula in the Warm Disease (Wen Bing) school of Chinese medicine for clearing pathogenic Heat that has penetrated from the Qi level deeper into the Ying (Nutritive) level of the body. Created by the Qing Dynasty physician Wu Jutong, it is used when a febrile illness has progressed beyond the stage where the formula Yin Qiao San can address it — specifically when Heat has entered the Ying level, beginning to disturb the Blood and the Shen (Mind-Spirit). The presence of a skin rash, delirium or confusion distinguishes Ying level Heat from earlier-stage Qi-level Heat.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Heat in the Ying (Nutritive) level, characterised by: high fever that is worse at night, skin rash (petechiae or purpura), agitation and restlessness, delirium, confusion or altered consciousness, dry mouth with a desire for fluids but little actual drinking, a deep red tongue, and a thin, rapid pulse.

Key herbs

1. Shui Niu Jiao (Bubalus bubalis horn / water buffalo horn) — the principal herb; clears Heat and cools Blood at the Ying level; calms the Shen; replaces the classical Rhino horn (Xi Jiao) in modern practice
2. Sheng Di Huang (raw Rehmannia root) — cools Blood Heat, nourishes Yin and generates fluids
3. Xuan Shen (Scrophularia ningpoensis root) — cools Blood, clears Heat and nourishes Yin
4. Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus root) — nourishes Yin, generates fluids and clears Empty Heat
5. Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera japonica flower) — clears Heat and resolves toxicity at all levels
6. Lian Qiao (Forsythia suspensa fruit) — clears Heat and resolves toxicity; vents Heat from the Ying back to the Qi level
7. Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis rhizome) — clears Heart Fire and calms the Shen; addresses the delirium component
8. Dan Zhu Ye (Lophatherum gracile herb) — clears Heat and calms the Heart-Mind
9. Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza root) — cools Blood, invigorates Blood and calms the Shen

Conditions treated

1. Severe acute febrile illness with skin rash, delirium and high fever at the Ying level of progression
2. Meningitis and encephalitis presentations — used alongside conventional medical treatment in integrative settings
3. Dengue fever and other viral haemorrhagic fevers with petechiae and Ying-level Heat
4. Severe sepsis with delirium from Heat Toxin penetrating to the Ying level
5. Stevens-Johnson syndrome and severe drug reactions with Blood Heat and skin involvement

A formula for acute and severe febrile conditions — always used as an adjunct to appropriate conventional emergency medical care. Not for self-medication.

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.