What are some traditional Chinese medicine formulas for reducing fever?
Dec 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formulas for reducing fever include Yin Qiao San, Sang Ju Yin, Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, Bai Hu Tang, and Xiao Chai Hu Tang. Composed of ingredients such as honeysuckle, forsythia, and mint, these formulas have the effects of relieving exterior symptoms with cooling properties, clearing heat, and detoxifying. They are suitable for fever caused by wind-heat感冒, accompanied by symptoms like sore throat, nasal congestion, and yellow nasal discharge. These formulas help disperse heat pathogens from the body's surface and alleviate fever-related discomfort with a gentle and effective action.
Commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formulas for fever reduction include Yin Qiao San, Sang Ju Yin, Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, Bai Hu Tang, and Xiao Chai Hu Tang. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Yin Qiao San: Composed of honeysuckle, forsythia, mint, and other ingredients, this formula has the effects of releasing exterior patterns with cooling properties and clearing heat while detoxifying. It is suitable for fever caused by wind-heat感冒, accompanied by symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, and yellow nasal discharge. It helps disperse heat pathogens from the body surface and alleviates fever discomfort with a mild action.
2. Sang Ju Yin: Contains mulberry leaf, chrysanthemum, platycodon, and other components, primarily functioning to疏散wind, clear heat, promote lung function, and stop coughing. Suitable for early-stage wind-heat感冒 with prominent fever and cough symptoms, it can reduce fever while relieving respiratory discomfort. With a gentle nature, it is widely applicable to various populations.
3. Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang: Composed of ephedra, apricot seed, gypsum, and other ingredients, it has the functions of acrid-cool dispersion, clearing the lungs, and relieving wheezing. It is indicated for high fever caused by excessive lung heat, accompanied by cough, shortness of breath, and thirst. It effectively clears lung heat and expels pathogenic heat, producing a significant fever-reducing effect.
4. Bai Hu Tang: Contains gypsum, anemarrhena, licorice, and other components, excelling in clearing heat and promoting fluid production. It targets persistent high fever due to excessive Yangming heat, accompanied by dry mouth, thirst, and profuse sweating. This formula strongly clears heat while replenishing body fluids, helping prevent dehydration caused by prolonged fever.
5. Xiao Chai Hu Tang: Composed of bupleurum, scutellaria, pinellia, and other ingredients, it has the effect of harmonizing the Shaoyang stage. It is suitable for alternating chills and fever caused by Shaoyang pattern, characterized by fluctuating body temperature, accompanied by bitter taste in the mouth, and fullness or distension in the chest and hypochondrium. It regulates organ function and qi circulation, addressing fever at its root cause.
Traditional Chinese medicine formulas must be used according to syndrome differentiation. The appropriate formula should be selected based on the specific type of fever; blind self-medication should be avoided. During treatment, maintain a light diet and drink plenty of warm water. If high fever persists or is accompanied by other severe symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
