Qing Wei San

What It Is

Qing Wei San, translated as “Clear the Stomach Powder,” is a classical herbal formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It was first recorded in the Lan Shi Mi Cang (Orchid Chamber Secret Treasury) during the Song Dynasty. The formula is primarily used to clear stomach heat and cool blood, especially when excessive internal heat rises to the face and gums.

The traditional composition usually includes:

• Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) – clears fire and damp-heat, especially from the stomach.
• Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) – raises clear yang and disperses heat.
• Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) – cools the blood and reduces inflammation.
• Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) – nourishes yin and clears heat.
• Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) – nourishes and invigorates the blood.

This combination creates a synergistic effect that balances clearing heat with nourishing and protecting body fluids.

How It Works

In TCM theory, stomach fire or heat accumulation in the stomach channel can manifest as symptoms such as:

• Swollen, bleeding, or painful gums
• Mouth ulcers
• Facial swelling or acne (particularly around the mouth)
• Bad breath
• Toothache aggravated by heat or spicy foods

Qing Wei San works by:

1. Clearing Stomach Fire: Herbs like Huang Lian directly purge heat and reduce inflammation.
2. Cooling the Blood: Mu Dan Pi and Sheng Di Huang calm excessive heat that has entered the blood level, reducing redness and swelling.
3. Nourishing and Protecting Fluids: Sheng Di Huang and Dang Gui prevent dryness and tissue damage that can result from prolonged heat.
4. Guiding Heat Outward: Sheng Ma disperses pathogenic heat upwards and outwards, helping relieve facial symptoms and gum issues.

Physiologically, modern interpretations suggest Qing Wei San may have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory effects. It helps normalize oral and digestive health by reducing inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress associated with gastrointestinal and oral mucosal inflammation.

Why It’s Important

Qing Wei San plays an essential role in TCM for balancing digestive fire and addressing disorders linked to excess heat in the stomach meridian.

Its importance lies in:

• Holistic oral health: It provides a natural alternative for treating gingivitis, stomatitis, and recurrent mouth ulcers.
• Digestive harmony: By regulating stomach heat, it can alleviate symptoms of acid reflux, bad breath, and excessive appetite related to internal heat.
• Skin and systemic balance: Because the stomach meridian connects to the face, this formula can improve complexion issues like acne caused by internal heat.
• Preventive care: Regular use (under supervision) helps maintain balance between digestive fire and body fluids, supporting long-term oral and digestive health.

Considerations

While Qing Wei San is a well-established and safe formula when prescribed correctly, several important considerations apply:

• Pattern Differentiation: It should only be used for true stomach heat syndromes. Using it for conditions caused by cold deficiency or lack of stomach fire could worsen symptoms such as fatigue, cold limbs, or poor appetite.
• Contraindications: Avoid in individuals with yin deficiency without excess heat, or those with weak digestion and cold stomach.
• Pregnancy and Nursing: Use only under professional supervision, as some ingredients like Mu Dan Pi can affect blood circulation.
• Drug Interactions: Because it contains Huang Lian (which affects the CYP450 enzyme system), it may interact with certain medications such as anticoagulants or antibiotics.
• Duration of Use: Prolonged or unsupervised use can deplete stomach qi and fluids; it’s meant for short-term treatment of acute heat symptoms.
• Professional Guidance: Always consult a qualified TCM practitioner to ensure proper diagnosis and formulation matching, as herbal combinations and dosages are adjusted based on individual constitution and symptom patterns.