What Chinese patent medicines have the functions of soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen, as well as clearing and transforming damp-heat?
Dec 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Commonly used traditional Chinese patent medicines for soothing the liver and tonifying the spleen, as well as clearing damp-heat, include Xiaoyao Pills, Shenling Baizhu Powder, Longdan Xiegan Pills, Xiangsha Liu Jun Pills, and Huoxiang Zhengqi Water. These medications should be taken only under the guidance of a qualified physician; self-medication without professional advice is not recommended. If symptoms persist or fail to improve, prompt medical attention is necessary.
1. Xiaoyao Pills: The main ingredients include Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui), and White Peony Root (Bai Shao), among others.
Commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formulas for soothing the liver, strengthening the spleen, and clearing damp-heat include Xiaoyao Pills, Shenling Baizhu Powder, Longdan Xiegan Pills, Xiangsha Liu Jun Pills, and Huoxiang Zhengqi Water. These medications should be taken under the guidance of a qualified physician; self-medication without professional advice is not recommended. If symptoms persist or fail to improve, timely medical consultation is necessary.
1. Xiaoyao Pills: Main ingredients include Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui), and White Peony Root (Bai Shao). This formula soothes the liver, resolves depression, strengthens the spleen, and nourishes the blood. It is suitable for individuals with liver qi stagnation, spleen deficiency, and concurrent damp-heat, presenting symptoms such as distending pain in the chest and hypochondrium, poor appetite, abdominal distension, fatigue, and dry mouth.
2. Shenling Baizhu Powder: Contains ginseng, Poria (Fu Ling), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), and other components. It tonifies the spleen and stomach, benefits lung qi, and clears damp-heat. It is appropriate for patients with spleen and stomach deficiency leading to internal damp-heat, manifesting as poor appetite, loose stools, shortness of breath, cough, and limb fatigue.
3. Longdan Xiegan Pills: Composed of Gentiana (Long Dan), Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Scutellaria (Huang Qin), and others. It clears damp-heat from the liver and gallbladder while simultaneously soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen. It is indicated for individuals with liver-gallbladder damp-heat accompanied by spleen deficiency, exhibiting symptoms such as dizziness, red eyes, hypochondriac pain, bitter taste in the mouth, dark urine, and damp-heat leukorrhea.
4. Xiangsha Liu Jun Pills: Contains Aucklandia root (Mu Xiang), Amomum (Sha Ren), Codonopsis (Dang Shen), and others. It benefits qi, strengthens the spleen, harmonizes the stomach, and clears damp-heat. Suitable for patients with spleen deficiency, qi stagnation, and internal blockage of damp-heat, presenting digestive issues such as indigestion, belching, poor appetite, and epigastric or abdominal fullness.
5. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water: Main ingredients include Agastache (Huo Xiang), Perilla leaf (Zi Su Ye), Angelica dahurica (Bai Zhi), among others. It dispels exterior pathogens, transforms dampness, regulates qi, harmonizes the middle burner, and mildly soothes the liver. It is suitable for individuals suffering from common cold due to external wind-cold combined with internal dampness retention, or summer-dampness injury, presenting with accompanying damp-heat symptoms.
In terms of care, it is important to maintain a cheerful mood and avoid emotional stress. Diet should be light and easily digestible. Spicy, greasy, raw, and cold foods should be avoided. Maintain regular作息 (daily routines), engage in moderate exercise, strengthen physical constitution, and promote recovery.
