Many people buy heat-clearing medicine on their own as soon as they feel "inflamed," and while it works for some, others end up feeling even weaker, with symptoms like stomach pain or diarrhea. In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, "inflammation" can be categorized as excess or deficiency, and its location can be upper or lower—each requiring different medication. Below, I introduce three commonly used heat-clearing medicines to help clarify your options and avoid misuse.

1. Huanglian Shangqing Tablet: Clears heat from the upper burner (heart and lungs)

If you experience dizziness, red and swollen eyes, sore throat, recurrent mouth ulcers, nosebleeds or bleeding gums, along with restlessness, insomnia, and dry mouth with a desire to drink, these are often manifestations of excessive fire from the heart and lungs.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the heart opens into the tongue, the lungs govern the skin and connect with the nasal passages, and the nature of fire tends to rise and easily disturb the clear orifices. Huanglian Shangqing Pian (Coptis Upper-Clearing Tablets) primarily contains Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Gardenia jasminoides. These bitter and cold herbs directly suppress excessive fire in the upper burner, particularly excelling at clearing heat from the heart and lungs, thereby relieving heat syndromes affecting the head, face, and five sensory organs.

2. Sanhuang Tablet: Clears heat in the middle jiao (gastrointestinal tract)

If you often experience a burning sensation in your stomach, increased hunger after eating, bloating or stomach pain, constipation with pellet-like stools, and dark, scanty urine, these are mostly signs of heat accumulation in the spleen and stomach and intestinal blockages.

Sanhuang Pian (Three-Yellow Tablet) is derived from the modified Xiexin Decoction in "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber," primarily composed of rhubarb, skullcap, and coptis. It mainly targets the middle jiao, purging excess heat from the Yangming fu organ. With potent heat-clearing effects and the ability to relieve constipation and stagnation, it is suitable for cases of excessive gastrointestinal heat accumulation, particularly for individuals with a robust constitution.

3. Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets: Clear the triple energizer stagnant fire, detoxify and reduce swelling

If you experience not only dry mouth and sore throat but also swollen and painful gums or throat, mouth ulcers, hoarseness, and even body heat, irritability, dark yellow urine, and dry stool, this indicates that the fire-heat pathogen has spread throughout the upper, middle, and lower burners.

The main ingredients of Niuhuang Jiedu Pian (Bovine Bezoar Detoxification Tablets) include artificial bezoar, scutellaria baicalensis, and gypsum. It excels at clearing heat and toxins, purging fire and promoting bowel movements, with a broader cooling effect. It demonstrates noticeable relief for various inflammations, swellings, and pains caused by excessive heat toxins.

Real case reference

A 28-year-old female patient was seen who had been working late nights for a long time and experienced recurrent oral ulcers and dry, sore throat. After self-administering Sanhuang Pian, although her bowel movements improved, the ulcers did not heal, and she developed stomach discomfort. Examination revealed a red tongue with scant coating and a thready, rapid pulse, indicative of yin deficiency with effulgent fire and rising deficient fire. Switching to a treatment aimed at nourishing yin and reducing fire led to improvement. This case illustrates that indiscriminate heat-clearing and fire-purging without differentiating deficiency from excess can easily damage the spleen and stomach, aggravating yin deficiency.

Usage reminder:

These three types of medications are all suitable for "excess fire" and are not appropriate for "deficient fire" (such as prolonged low-grade fever, heat in the palms and soles, dry mouth without desire to drink, etc.) or individuals with a deficient-cold constitution.

Stop medication once symptoms improve to avoid damaging the spleen and stomach's yang energy.

Maintain a light diet during medication and avoid spicy or greasy foods.

If symptoms persist after 3 days of medication, discontinue use and consult a doctor.

Conclusion

In summary, heat-clearing medicines should not be used indiscriminately. Accurate diagnosis is essential to effectively treat the condition; otherwise, they might exacerbate the "heat." It is recommended to use them under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist, especially for those who experience recurrent "heatiness" or accompanying discomfort—prompt medical consultation to identify the cause is advised.