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

Generally, individuals needing to eliminate damp-heat from the body can use patent Chinese medicines under the guidance of a physician. Commonly used medications include Gegen Qinlian Pills, Huoxiang Qingwei Capsules, Er Miao Pills, Yin Zhi Huang Granules, and Xiang Lian Pills. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Gegen Qinlian Pills

Gegen Qinlian Pills are composed of ingredients such as Pueraria root (Gegen), Scutellaria root (Huangqin), and Coptis root (Huanglian). They have effects of resolving exterior syndromes, clearing heat and detoxifying, removing dampness, and stopping diarrhea. These pills can help alleviate symptoms caused by internal damp-heat, such as diarrhea with abdominal pain, yellow and sticky stools, and burning sensation in the anus. They are suitable for individuals needing to eliminate damp-heat from the body.

2. Huoxiang Qingwei Capsules

Huoxiang Qingwei Capsules contain traditional Chinese herbs such as Patchouli (Guanghuoxiang), Gardenia (Zhi Zi), and Siler (Fang Feng). They help clear heat, resolve dampness, invigorate the spleen, and relieve food stagnation. These capsules can alleviate discomfort caused by internal damp-heat, such as indigestion, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, bitter taste, and bad breath, thus assisting in eliminating damp-heat from the body.

3. Er Miao Pills

Er Miao Pills are made from Atractylodes rhizome (Cang Zhu) and Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai). They function to clear heat and dry dampness. These pills are suitable for conditions caused by damp-heat descending, such as redness, swelling, and pain in the feet and knees, erysipelas in the lower limbs, leukorrhea, and dampness-induced itching in the scrotal area. They are particularly appropriate for individuals needing to eliminate internal damp-heat accompanied by symptoms of damp-heat descending.

4. Yin Zhi Huang Granules

Yin Zhi Huang Granules contain herbs such as Capillary Wormwood (Yin Chen), Gardenia (Zhi Zi), and Baicalin (Huang Qin). They help clear heat and detoxify, remove dampness, and relieve jaundice. These granules can be used to treat jaundice caused by damp-heat affecting the liver and gallbladder, presenting with symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, distension and pain in the hypochondrium, nausea, vomiting, and dark yellow urine, thus aiding in the regulation and elimination of internal damp-heat.

5. Xiang Lian Pills

Xiang Lian Pills are composed of processed Coptis (Yu Huang Lian) and Costus Root (Mu Xiang). They have functions of clearing heat, drying dampness, regulating qi, and relieving pain. These pills are specifically used to treat dysentery caused by damp-heat in the large intestine due to internal damp-heat, presenting with symptoms such as pus and blood in the stool, tenesmus, fever, and abdominal pain, making them suitable for eliminating internal damp-heat.

In addition, individuals needing to eliminate damp-heat from the body may also use other appropriate medications under the guidance of a physician. During the treatment period, it is also important to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and greasy foods, and maintain regular sleep patterns to support the body's recovery.