What are the commonly used Chinese patent medicines for clearing damp-heat from the body?

Generally, under medical guidance, drug therapy can be used to clear damp-heat from the body. Commonly used medications include Longdan Xiegan Wan, Yin Zhi Huang Granules, Gegen Qinlian Wan, Ganlu Xiaodu Wan, and Sanjin Tablets. A detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Longdan Xiegan Wan

Longdan Xiegan Wan consists of ingredients such as Gentiana (Longdan), Bupleurum (Chaihu), and Scutellaria (Huangqin), and has functions of clearing heat and dampness from the liver and gallbladder. It can help alleviate symptoms such as dizziness, red eyes, tinnitus, deafness, flank pain, bitter taste in the mouth, and dark, scanty urine caused by damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder. Therefore, it is suitable for individuals whose damp-heat primarily affects the liver and gallbladder.

2. Yin Zhi Huang Granules

Yin Zhi Huang Granules contain traditional Chinese herbs such as Artemisiae Scopariae Herba (Yinchen), Gardenia (Zhi zi), and Scutellaria baicalensis extract (Huangqin gan), and have effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, removing dampness, and relieving jaundice. They can alleviate jaundice caused by internal accumulation of damp-heat and improve symptoms such as yellowing of the face and eyes, distension and pain in the chest and hypochondrium, nausea, vomiting, and dark yellow urine. Thus, they are helpful in managing jaundice caused by damp-heat and should be taken under medical guidance.

3. Gegen Qinlian Wan

Gegen Qinlian Wan is made from Pueraria (Gegen), Scutellaria (Huangqin), Coptis (Huanglian), and other ingredients. It has functions of relieving muscle tension, promoting perspiration, clearing heat and detoxifying, removing dampness, and stopping diarrhea. It is suitable for diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain, yellow and sticky stools, and a burning sensation in the anus caused by accumulation of damp-heat. Therefore, it is appropriate for individuals whose intestinal function is affected by damp-heat.

4. Ganlu Xiaodu Wan

Ganlu Xiaodu Wan contains ingredients such as Talcum (Huashi), Artemisiae Scopariae Herba (Yinchen), and Acori Graminei Rhizoma (Shichangpu). It has actions of aromatic dampness-resolving, clearing heat, and detoxifying. It can be used to treat symptoms such as fever, fatigue, chest tightness, abdominal distension, limb pain, sore throat, and dark scanty urine caused by damp-heat epidemic conditions affecting the qi level. It helps regulate various discomfort symptoms caused by damp-heat in the body.

5. Sanjin Tablets

Sanjin Tablets consist of ingredients such as Rhizoma Rosa Laevigatae (Jinyingen), Smilax (Baqia), and Capillaris Herba (Yangkai kou). They have functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, removing dampness, promoting urination, and benefiting the kidneys. They are specifically used for frequent, scanty, and dark urination, as well as painful, burning urination caused by damp-heat in the lower jiao. Therefore, they are one of the commonly used medications for eliminating damp-heat in the lower jiao.

In addition, individuals needing to clear damp-heat from the body may also use other suitable medications under medical guidance. During the treatment, dietary habits should also be taken into consideration, including eating bland food, avoiding spicy and greasy foods, and drinking plenty of water to promote the elimination of dampness and heat from the body.