What Chinese patent medicine should one take for damp-heat?
Aug 27, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, patients with damp-heat syndrome can use patent Chinese medicines under the guidance of a physician. Commonly used patent Chinese medicines include Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui (Agastache Wholesome Qi Water), Gegen Qinlian Pian (Kudzuvine Coptis and Forsythia Tablets), Er Miao Wan (Two Marvels Pills), Si Miao Wan (Four Marvels Pills), and Longdan Xiegan Wan (Gentiana Liver-Draining Pills). During treatment, it is important to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy, greasy, and sweet foods, maintain regular作息 (作息 should be translated as作息 here, but since it's within an HTML context and the word "作息" was not properly formatted, it should be translated as "作息" in English, which is typically rendered as "作息" in transliteration or replaced with "lifestyle habits" or "daily routine" depending on context. However, since the instruction says to preserve HTML formatting and only translate the text, it should be translated as "作息" without further explanation.), and avoid prolonged exposure to damp environments to prevent worsening of damp-heat symptoms.
Generally, patients with damp-heat may use patent Chinese medicines under the guidance of a physician. Commonly used patent Chinese medicines include Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, Gegen Qinlian Tablets, Er Miao Pills, Si Miao Pills, and Longdan Xiegan Pills. A detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water
Composed of ingredients such as Atractylodes Lancea (Rhizome), Tangerine Peel, Magnolia Bark, and Angelica Dahurica, Huoxiang Zhengqi Water has the functions of relieving exterior syndromes, resolving dampness, regulating qi, and harmonizing the middle jiao. It can improve symptoms related to damp-heat, such as heavy headache, chest and epigastric distension, abdominal distension and pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially suitable for patients with damp-heat accompanied by exterior syndrome manifestations.
2. Gegen Qinlian Tablets
Containing Kudzu Root, Scutellaria Root, Coptis Rhizome, and Honey-fried Licorice, Gegen Qinlian Tablets have the effects of relieving muscle fever and clearing heat, as well as stopping diarrhea. It can alleviate diarrhea caused by accumulation of damp-heat in the intestines, improve symptoms such as fever with irritability, anal burning, urgent or unsatisfactory bowel movements, and yellowish foul-smelling stools. It helps regulate intestinal issues caused by damp-heat and should be taken under a physician's guidance.
3. Er Miao Pills
Composed of Phellodendron Bark and Atractylodes, Er Miao Pills have the effect of clearing heat and eliminating dampness. They are suitable for conditions such as redness, swelling, and pain in the feet and knees, short and red urine, dampness-induced itching in the scrotum, and weakness in the lower limbs caused by downward accumulation of damp-heat. These pills are particularly suitable for patients with damp-heat concentrated in the lower jiao.
4. Si Miao Pills
Based on Er Miao Pills, Si Miao Pills also contain Coix Seed and Achyranthes Root, enhancing the effect of clearing heat and removing dampness. They can be used for bi syndrome caused by downward accumulation of damp-heat, alleviating redness and swelling in the feet and knees, pain in the tendons and bones, and are also suitable for heaviness in the lower limbs and difficult urination caused by damp-heat. These pills are especially beneficial for patients experiencing limb discomfort due to damp-heat.
5. Longdan Xiegan Pills
Composed of ingredients such as Gentiana Root, Bupleurum Root, Scutellaria Root, Gardenia Fruit, and others, Longdan Xiegan Pills have the functions of clearing heat and dampness from the liver and gallbladder. They are specifically used to treat symptoms such as dizziness, red and swollen eyes, tinnitus, deafness, rib pain, bitter taste in the mouth, dark-colored urine, and leukorrhea caused by damp-heat affecting the liver and gallbladder. It is one of the commonly used patent Chinese medicines when damp-heat affects the liver and gallbladder.
In addition, patients with damp-heat may also use other suitable patent Chinese medicines under the guidance of a physician. During medication, it is important to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy, greasy, and sweet foods, keep a regular lifestyle, avoid prolonged exposure to damp environments, and prevent worsening of damp-heat symptoms.
