What medication should be taken for damp-heat syndrome?
Aug 27, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, patients with excessive dampness and heat may use medications under the guidance of a physician. Commonly used medications include Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Dragon胆Liver-Draining Pill), Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui (Agastache Wholesome Qi Water), Si Miao Wan (Four Marvels Pill), Qing Re Qu Shi Ke Li (Clear Heat and Eliminate Dampness Granules), and Dang Gui Long Hui Wan (Angelica and Dragon Aloe Pill). In addition, patients with excessive dampness and heat may also use other suitable medications under the guidance of a physician. At the same time, patients should maintain a light diet during treatment, avoid spicy and greasy foods, and maintain regular作息 (作息 should be translated as "rest and work patterns" or "daily routines").
Generally, patients with excessive damp-heat may use medications under the guidance of a physician. Commonly used medications include Longdan Xiegan Wan, Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, Simiao Wan, Qingre Qushi Granules, and Danggui Longhui Wan. A detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Longdan Xiegan Wan (Dragon胆Liver-Drainage Pill)
Composed of ingredients such as Gentiana (Longdan), Bupleurum (Chaihu), and Scutellaria (Huangqin), Longdan Xiegan Wan functions to clear heat and dampness from the liver and gallbladder and promote dampness elimination. It can help alleviate symptoms caused by damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder, such as dizziness, red and painful eyes, tinnitus, deafness, flank pain, bitter taste in the mouth, dark-colored urine, and leukorrhea due to damp-heat. It is suitable for patients with excessive damp-heat.
2. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water (Agastache Qi-Regulating Formula)
This formula contains Atractylodes (Cangzhu), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi), Magnolia Bark (Houpo), and other herbs, and is effective for resolving exterior syndromes, transforming dampness, regulating qi, and harmonizing the middle jiao. It helps relieve cold symptoms caused by external contraction of wind-cold and internal damage from dampness retention or summerheat-dampness, presenting as headache with a heavy sensation, chest and epigastric fullness, abdominal distension and pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and other discomforts related to damp-heat. It may be taken under a physician's guidance.
3. Simiao Wan (Four Marvels Pill)
Composed of ingredients such as Atractylodes (Cangzhu), Phellodendron (Huangbo), and Coix Seed (Yiyiren), Simiao Wan clears heat and eliminates dampness. It is indicated for bi syndrome caused by downward invasion of damp-heat, presenting as red and swollen knees and pain in the tendons and bones. It is suitable for such discomforts caused by excessive damp-heat.
4. Qingre Qushi Granules (Heat-Clearing and Dampness-Resolving Granules)
Containing Codonopsis (Dangshen), Capillary Wormwood Herb (Yinchen), and other ingredients, Qingre Qushi Granules clear heat, remove dampness, tonify qi, and promote body fluid production. They are used to treat symptoms caused by summerheat-dampness pathogens, such as fatigue in the limbs, poor appetite, fever, and dry mouth. These granules help regulate symptoms caused by excessive damp-heat.
5. Danggui Longhui Wan (Angelica and Gentiana Pill with Aloe)
Composed of Angelica (Danggui), Gentiana (Longdan), Aloe (Luhui), and other ingredients, Danggui Longhui Wan clears excessive internal heat and promotes bowel movements. It is specifically indicated for symptoms caused by excessive fire in the liver and gallbladder, such as irritability, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, deafness, rib pain, abdominal distension, and constipation. It is a commonly used medication for patients with excessive damp-heat accompanied by these symptoms.
In addition, patients with excessive damp-heat may use other suitable medications under the guidance of a physician. During treatment, it is important to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and greasy foods, and maintain regular作息 to support recovery.
