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Chinese patent medicines are characterized by their stable properties, definite efficacy, relatively low toxicity and side effects, and convenience in taking, carrying, and storing, making them an indispensable “health partner” in daily life. Choosing the right medicine and using it properly is essential knowledge for safe medication.
For individuals with a constitution prone to excess heat, experiencing symptoms such as sore throat, gum inflammation, and dryness in the nasal cavity is common. Chinese patent medicines have unique advantages in treating heat-clearing and detoxifying, targeting the root cause of the symptoms. To help everyone understand, I have compiled a list of 10 commonly used Chinese patent medicines for clearing heat and detoxifying, along with their compositions, functions, and indications, which are also relevant knowledge points for the pharmacist qualification exam. I hope this information is helpful.
01
Huanglian Shangqing Pills (Granules, Capsules, Tablets)
Composition: Huanglian (Coptis), Zhizi (Gardenia, processed with ginger), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Chao Manjingzi (Vitex), Fangfeng (Siler), Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Baizhi (Angelica dahurica), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Juhua (Chrysanthemum), Bohe (Mint), Jiu Dahuang (Rhubarb, processed with wine), Huangbai (Phellodendron, processed with wine), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Shigao (Gypsum), Xuanfu Hua (Inula), Gancao (Licorice).
Function: Dispels wind, clears heat, drains fire, and alleviates pain.
Indications: Symptoms caused by wind-heat attacking upward and excess heat in the lungs and stomach, including dizziness, fiery eyes, toothache, oral ulcers, sore throat, ear pain, tinnitus, constipation, and short, red urine.
Dosage: Oral administration. Pills: Water pills or honey pills 3-6g once, honey pills 6-12g once (30-60 pills), large honey pills 1-2 pills once, twice a day. Granules: 1 bag once, twice a day. Capsules: 2 capsules once, twice a day. Tablets: 6 tablets once, twice a day.
Precautions: Contraindicated in those with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold. Contraindicated for those allergic to this product and its components. Use with caution in allergic individuals, pregnant women, the elderly, children, and those with yin deficiency and excess heat. During medication, avoid spicy and greasy foods.
02
Niuhuang Shangqing Pills (Capsules, Tablets)
Composition: Artificial Niuhuang (Bovine Bile), Bohe (Mint), Juhua (Chrysanthemum), Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Baizhi (Angelica dahurica), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Zhizi (Gardenia), Huanglian (Coptis), Huangbai (Phellodendron), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Dahuang (Rhubarb), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Chisha (Red Peony), Danggui (Angelica), Dihuang (Rehmannia), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Gancao (Licorice), Shigao (Gypsum), Bingpian (Borneol).
Function: Clears heat, drains fire, dispels wind, and alleviates pain.
Indications: Symptoms caused by internal heat toxin and wind-fire attacking upward, including headache, dizziness, red eyes, tinnitus, sore throat, oral ulcers, gum swelling, and constipation.
Dosage: Oral administration. Pills: Honey pills 6g once, water honey pills 4g once, water pills 3g once, large honey pills 1 pill once, twice a day. Capsules: 3 capsules once, twice a day. Tablets: 4 tablets once, twice a day.
Precautions: Contraindicated for headaches, dizziness, toothache, and throat pain caused by yin deficiency and excess heat. Use with caution in pregnant women and nursing mothers. Caution in those with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold.Do not exceed the recommended dosage or use for extended periods.
03
Qingwei Huanglian Pills (Tablets)
Composition: Huanglian (Coptis), Shigao (Gypsum), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Gancao (Licorice), Zhimu (Anemarrhena), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia), Dihuang (Rehmannia), Mudanpi (Moutan), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Zhizi (Gardenia), Huangbai (Phellodendron), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Chisha (Red Peony).
Function: Clears stomach fire, drains fire, detoxifies, and reduces swelling.
Indications: Oral ulcers, gum swelling, and sore throat caused by excess lung and stomach fire.
Dosage: Oral administration. Pills: Large honey pills 1-2 pills once, twice a day; water pills 9g once, twice a day. Tablets: 8 tablets or 4 tablets once, twice a day.
Precautions:Use with caution in pregnant women. Caution in the weak, elderly, and those with yin deficiency and excess heat. Do not exceed the recommended dosage or use for extended periods.
04
Niuhuang Jiedu Pills (Capsules, Soft Capsules, Tablets)
Composition: Artificial Niuhuang (Bovine Bile), Xionghuang (Realgar), Shigao (Gypsum), Dahuang (Rhubarb), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Bingpian (Borneol), Gancao (Licorice).
Function: Clears heat and detoxifies.
Indications: Internal heat excess, sore throat, gum swelling, oral ulcers, red and swollen eyes.
Dosage: Oral administration. Pills: Water honey pills 2g once, large honey pills 1 pill once, 2-3 times a day. Capsules: 2 or 3 capsules once, 2-3 times a day. Soft capsules: 4 capsules once, 2-3 times a day. Tablets: Small tablets 3 tablets once, large tablets 2 tablets once, 2-3 times a day.
Precautions: Contraindicated in pregnant women. Use with caution for oral ulcers, tooth pain, and throat phlegm caused by excess fire. Caution in those with spleen and stomach weakness. Due to the presence of Xionghuang, do not exceed the recommended dosage or use for extended periods.
05
Qingre Jiedu Oral Liquid (Tablets)
Composition: Shigao (Gypsum), Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia), Dihuang (Rehmannia), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Zhizi (Gardenia), Tiandiding (Sweet Herb), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Longdan (Gentiana), Banlangen (Isatis), Zhimu (Anemarrhena), Maidong (Ophiopogon).
Function: Clears heat and detoxifies.
Indications: Symptoms caused by heat toxin accumulation, including fever, red face, irritability, thirst, and sore throat; flu and upper respiratory infections with the above symptoms.
Dosage: Oral administration. Oral liquid: 10-20ml once, 3 times a day; for children, reduce dosage or follow medical advice. Tablets: 4 tablets once, 3 times a day; for children, reduce dosage.
Precautions:Use with caution in those with wind-cold colds. During medication, maintain a light diet, avoid spicy foods; avoid smoking and alcohol.
06
Banlangen Granules (Tea, Syrup)
Composition: Banlangen (Isatis).
Function: Cools and detoxifies, cools blood, and benefits the throat.
Indications: Sore throat, dry mouth, and swelling in the parotid area caused by excess lung and stomach heat; acute tonsillitis and mumps with the above symptoms.
Dosage: Oral administration. Granules: Dissolve in hot water, 5-10g once, or 1-2 bags once, 3-4 times a day. Tea: Dissolve in hot water, 1 piece once, 3 times a day. Syrup: 15ml once, 3 times a day.
Precautions:Use with caution in those with yin deficiency and excess heat, those with weak spleen and stomach, and the elderly. During medication, avoid spicy and greasy foods.
07
Daohong Pills
Composition: Lianqiao (Forsythia), Huanglian (Coptis), Zhizi (Gardenia, processed with ginger), Mutong (Akebia), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes), Chisha (Red Peony), Dahuang (Rhubarb), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Huashi (Talc).
Function: Clears heat, drains fire, promotes urination, and relieves constipation.
Indications: Symptoms caused by internal heat excess, including oral ulcers, sore throat, chest heat, short red urine, and constipation.
Dosage: Oral administration. Water honey pills 2g once, large honey pills 1 pill once, twice a day; reduce dosage for children under one year.
Precautions:Contraindicated in pregnant women. Use with caution in those with spleen deficiency and loose stools, and the weak and elderly. During medication, avoid spicy and greasy foods. For treating oral inflammation and ulcers, external medications can be used in conjunction.
08
Daiha San
Composition: Qingtai (Indigo), Hake (Shell).
Function: Clears liver, benefits lungs, descends qi, and relieves irritability.
Indications: Symptoms caused by liver fire invading the lungs, including dizziness, tinnitus, cough with blood, thick yellow phlegm, throat discomfort, and thirst.
Dosage: Oral administration. 6g once, once a day, decocted as prescribed.
Precautions: Use with caution in pregnant women and those with weak yang. During medication, avoid spicy, cold, and greasy foods.
09
Longdan Xiegan Pills (Granules, Oral Liquid)
Composition: Longdan (Gentiana), Chaihu (Bupleurum), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Zhizi (Gardenia, processed), Zexie (Alisma), Mutong (Akebia), Cheqianzi (Plantago, salt-fried), Danggui (Angelica, processed with wine), Dihuang (Rehmannia), Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice).
Function: Clears liver and gallbladder, promotes damp-heat.
Indications: Symptoms caused by liver and gallbladder damp-heat, including dizziness, red eyes, tinnitus, ear swelling and pain, rib pain, bitter mouth, red and painful urination, and damp-heat leucorrhea.
Dosage: Oral administration. Pills: Water pills 3-6g once, large honey pills 1-2 pills once, small honey pills 6-12g (30-60 pills), twice a day. Granules: 4-8g once, dissolved in warm water, twice a day. Oral liquid: 10ml once, 3 times a day.
Precautions: Use with caution in pregnant women, those with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold, and the elderly. During medication, avoid spicy and greasy foods.
For treating acute conjunctivitis, external eye drops can be used in conjunction; for treating purulent otitis media, ear cleaning is recommended during medication; for treating vaginitis, washing agents can also be used for vaginal rinsing.
10
Qinlian Tablets
Composition: Huangqin (Scutellaria), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Huanglian (Coptis), Huangbai (Phellodendron), Chisha (Red Peony), Gancao (Licorice).
Function: Clears heat, detoxifies, reduces swelling, and alleviates pain.
Indications: Heat accumulation in the organs, headache, red eyes, oral and nasal ulcers, heat dysentery, abdominal pain, damp-heat leucorrhea, and boils and swellings.
Dosage: Oral administration. 4 tablets once, 2-3 times a day.
Precautions:Use with caution in pregnant women. Caution in those with middle-jiao deficiency and cold, yin deficiency, and those with a weak constitution.
There are many varieties of Chinese patent medicines for clearing heat and detoxifying, categorized by their functions: for clearing upper-jiao heat, representative medicines include Shangqing Pills; for clearing triple-jiao heat, representative medicines include Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets; for clearing liver and gallbladder heat, representative medicines include Longdan Xiegan Pills; for clearing stomach heat, representative medicines include Qingwei Huanglian Pills; for clearing heart heat, representative medicines include Daohong Pills; for clearing lung heat, representative medicines include Daiha San. In specific applications, it is recommended to combine with one’s clinical symptoms and take under the guidance of a professional TCM practitioner.
END
This content is excerpted from “Professional Knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Volume II)”
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