What are the commonly used Chinese patent medicines for removing dampness and heat?

Aug 27, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

In general, damp-heat syndromes are often triggered by external contraction of dampness and heat, dietary indiscretion, and other factors. Common symptoms include bitter taste in the mouth, sticky sensation in the mouth, abdominal distension, heaviness and discomfort in the limbs, dark yellow or reddish urine, and sticky, unsatisfactory bowel movements. Patients may take medications such as Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Dragon胆泻肝丸), Yin Zhi Huang Granules, Ba Zheng Granules, Er Miao Wan (二妙丸), and Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui (藿香正气水) according to medical advice. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Generally, damp-heat syndrome is mostly triggered by external contraction of damp-heat pathogens, dietary irregularities, and other factors. Common symptoms include bitter taste in the mouth, sticky mouth sensation, abdominal distension, heaviness and fatigue in the limbs, dark yellow urine, and sticky, unsatisfactory bowel movements. Patients may take medications such as Longdan Xiegan Wan (Dragon胆Liver-Draining Pill), Yin Zhi Huang Granules, Bazheng Granules, Er Miao Wan, and Huoxiang Zhengqi Water under the guidance of a physician. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Longdan Xiegan Wan

Longdan Xiegan Wan is primarily composed of ingredients such as Gentiana (Longdan), Bupleurum (Chaihu), and Scutellaria (Huangqin), which function to clear heat and dampness from the liver and gallbladder. Gentiana clears excessive fire in the liver and gallbladder and eliminates damp-heat from the lower jiao; Scutellaria clears heat and dries dampness. Together, these ingredients are suitable for treating symptoms caused by damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder, such as dizziness, red eyes, tinnitus, deafness, flank pain, bitter taste in the mouth, dark and painful urination.

2. Yin Zhi Huang Granules

Yin Zhi Huang Granules contain Capillaris (Yinchen), Gardenia (Zhizi), Scutellarin (Huangqin), and other components, which have functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, promoting diuresis, and reducing jaundice. Capillaris clears damp-heat and promotes bile secretion to reduce jaundice; Gardenia clears heat and fire, relieves irritability, and clears dampness. These granules are commonly used for jaundice caused by damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder, manifested as yellowing of the face and eyes, distension and pain in the costal region, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine.

3. Bazheng Granules

Bazheng Granules are composed of ingredients such as Dianthus (Qu Mai), Plantago (Che Qian Zi), and Polygonum aviculare (Bian Xu), which function to clear heat, promote urination, and relieve urinary discomfort. Dianthus promotes urination, clears heat, and breaks up blood stasis; Plantago clears heat, promotes urination, and drains dampness. This formula is suitable for symptoms such as short and dark urine, painful or difficult urination, and dry mouth and throat caused by downward accumulation of damp-heat, such as those seen in heat-induced urinary tract infections (Re Lin).

4. Er Miao Wan

Er Miao Wan mainly contains Atractylodes (Cang Zhu) and Phellodendron (Huang Bai), which function to clear heat and dry dampness. Phellodendron clears heat, dries dampness, clears fire, and detoxifies; Atractylodes dries dampness and strengthens the spleen. Together, these two ingredients are suitable for treating symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain in the feet and knees, short and dark urine, and dampness-induced itching in the scrotum caused by downward accumulation of damp-heat.

5. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water

Huoxiang Zhengqi Water contains Pogostemon (Huoxiang), Perilla leaf (Zi Su Ye), Angelica dahurica (Bai Zhi), and other herbs, which function to relieve exterior syndromes, resolve dampness, regulate qi, and harmonize the middle jiao. Pogostemon resolves dampness with its aromatic nature and harmonizes the stomach to stop vomiting; Perilla leaf resolves exterior cold. This formula is suitable for common cold caused by external contraction of wind-cold combined with internal damage from dampness retention, or summerheat damage with dampness, manifested as headache with a heavy feeling, chest and diaphragm fullness, abdominal distension and pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can also be used to alleviate discomfort caused by damp-heat.

In daily life, it is important to develop good living habits, avoid long-term exposure to damp environments, and reduce the intake of spicy, greasy, and sweet foods such as chili peppers, fried foods, and cakes, so as not to exacerbate damp-heat symptoms and hinder recovery.

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