Source: Taiping Huimin Hejiju Fang (Benevolent Prescriptions from Taiping Pharmaceutical Bureau).

Ingredients:
No.1  Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 600 g
No.2  Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) 600 g
No.3  Zhigancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Praeparatae) 600 g
No.4  Zhiziren (Fructus Gardeniae) 300 g
No.5  Bohe (Herba Menthae) 300 g
No.6  Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae) 300 g
No.7  Lianqiao (Fructus Forsythiae) 1, 250 g

Administration:
Grind the above drugs into coarse powder and then take 5 - 12 g at one time to be decocted with 3 g bamboo leaves and a little honey added to it.

Actions:
Purging pathogenic fire and relaxing the bowels, clearing away heat in both the upper and middle energizer.

Clinical Application:
This recipe is indicated for fire-heat syndrome in the upper and middle energizers, marked by dysphoria, thirst, flushed face, parched lips, fever with dysphoria in chest and diaphragm, aphthae, or sore throat, hematemesis, constipation, dark urine, red tongue with yellowish fur, smooth and rapid pulse. It is applicable to pharyngitis, stomatitis, acute tonsillitis, infection of biliary tract, acute icterohepatitis, and other diseases that are attributable to fire-heat syndrome in the upper and middle energizers. It is unnecessary to subtract ingredients No. 1 and No. 2 in the absence of constipation. If smooth defecation or diarrhea occurs with less heat syndrome after the use of drugs, it is advisable to reduce or even subtract the above two ingredients.

Elucidation:
The syndrome is due to pathogenic fire or heat accumulating in the upper and middle energizers, and should be treated by clearing away heat and purging fire. Ingredient No. 7 in larger amount acts as monarch drug, capable of clearing away heat and toxins. Ingredients No. 5 and No. 6 are respectively to clear away heat from the heart and the upper energizer, and together act as minister drug, strengthening the effect of the monarch drug.

Ingredient No. 4 is meant to purge away heat from the triple energizers, and ingredients No. 1 and No. 2 to descend heat and fire, altogether serving as adjuvant drug. Ingredient No. 3 can not only mediate drug properties, but also relieve the drastic effect of the first two ingredients to clear away heat in the middle energizer with ingredients No. 1 and No. 2, playing the part of adjuvant-guiding drug. Bamboo leaves and honey are helpful in clearing away heat and can promote the production of body fluid because of its sweet in flavor and moist in nature.