Formula Decoction (Tang)

Zhu Ye Tang

Bamboo Leaf Decoction · 竹叶汤

A classic heat-clearing formula from the Tang dynasty, used for intense thirst, dry mouth, and irritability caused by strong Stomach heat. It cools internal fire, generates body fluids, and calms the mind.

Origin 《金匮要略》(Jin Gui Yao Lue / Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) — Han dynasty, ~200 CE
Category Heat-clearing formulas Qi-level Heat-clearing formulas
Therapeutic focus Fever management Hydration and thirst Heat exhaustion Digestive heat
Composition 5 herbs
Zh
King
Zhu Ye
Shi Gao
Deputy
Shi Gao
Fu Ling
Assistant
Fu Ling
Xiao Mai
Assistant
Xiao Mai
Gua Lou
Assistant
Gua Lou
Explore composition

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms don't appear randomly — they cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Zhu Ye Tang is designed to correct these specific patterns.

Why Zhu Ye Tang addresses this pattern

This pattern presents with intense thirst, dry mouth, irritability, and a feeling of heat concentrated in the epigastric region. The formula's bamboo leaf and gypsum directly cool the Stomach and clear excess fire; poria and wheat assist by draining heat via urination and soothing the mind; trichosanthes generates fluids to relieve the loss of moisture caused by the heat. Together they quench the fire at its source and replenish what has been consumed.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Thirst

Extreme thirst unrelieved by drinking

Dry Mouth

Dry, parched mouth and throat

Irritability

Mental restlessness or irritability due to internal heat

Commonly Prescribed For

These conditions can arise from the patterns above. A practitioner would consider Zhu Ye Tang when these conditions are specifically caused by those patterns — not for all cases of these conditions.

Arises from: Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, heatstroke is viewed as external summer-heat invading the body, typically penetrating the Lungs and Stomach. It generates excessive internal heat that damages both qi and yin fluids. Symptoms like extreme thirst, dry mouth, irritability, and even confusion indicate that the pathogenic heat has entered the Qi level and is consuming the body's moisture.

Why Zhu Ye Tang Helps

Bamboo leaf and gypsum directly clear the summer-heat trapped in the Qi level, while trichosanthes generates fluids to restore what was lost. Poria promotes urination to drain heat downward, and wheat nourishes the Heart to calm the spirit. The entire composition addresses the acute heat, protects yin, and stabilizes the mind, making it suitable for mild to moderate heatstroke with predominant heat signs.

Also commonly used for

Fever

Clears heat at the Qi level to reduce febrile body temperature

Dehydration

Generates fluids and promotes body fluid retention

Diabetes

Addresses thirst and dry mouth in early-stage diabetes with Stomach heat

What This Formula Does

Every TCM formula has a specific set of actions — here's what Zhu Ye Tang does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Zhu Ye Tang is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Fever management Hydration and thirst Heat exhaustion Digestive heat

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Zhu Ye Tang performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Heat Generates Body Fluids Relieves Thirst Promotes Urination

How It Addresses the Root Cause

TCM doesn't just suppress symptoms — it aims to resolve the underlying imbalance. Here's how Zhu Ye Tang works at the root level.

This formula addresses a pattern where excessive heat has accumulated in the Stomach, often from external febrile disease or internal heat generation, leading to damage of body fluids. The heat flares upward and outward, causing intense thirst, dry mouth, irritability, and a sensation of heat. The Stomach is the origin of fluids; when its heat is overwhelming, it fails to distribute moisture, resulting in parched symptoms. The underlying mechanism is overabundant Stomach fire consuming yin fluids, sometimes complicated by damp-heat or lingering pathogenic heat that resists complete clearance.

Formula Properties

Every formula has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific organs — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Overall Temperature

Warm

Taste Profile

Predominantly sweet and pungent — sweet to tonify qi and yang, pungent to release the exterior and dispel wind.

Target Organs

Lungs Spleen Kidneys Heart

Channels Entered

Lung Spleen Kidney Heart Bladder

Ingredients

5 herbs

The herbs that make up Zhu Ye Tang, organized by their role in the prescription

King — Main ingredient driving the formula
Deputy — Assists and enhances the King
Assistant — Supports or moderates other herbs
King — Main ingredient driving the formula
Zh

Zhu Ye

Bamboo leaf

Dosage 9 - 15g
Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet (甘 gān), Bland (淡 dàn)
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach, Gallbladder

Role in Zhu Ye Tang

Clears heat from the Heart and Stomach, relieves irritability, and generates body fluids to address heat-related thirst.
View herb details
Deputy — Assists and enhances the King
Shi Gao

Shi Gao

Gypsum

Dosage 15 - 30g
Temperature Cold
Taste Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Sweet (甘 gān)
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach

Role in Zhu Ye Tang

Strongly clears Stomach heat and fire, directly targeting the excessive heat that causes intense thirst and dry mouth.
View herb details
Assistants — Supports or moderates other herbs
Fu Ling

Fu Ling

Poria

Dosage 9 - 15g
Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet (甘 gān), Bland (淡 dàn)
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Kidneys

Role in Zhu Ye Tang

Drains dampness and promotes urination to guide heat downward, while also calming the mind and spleen.
View herb details
Xiao Mai

Xiao Mai

Wheat grain

Dosage 15 - 30g
Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet (甘 gān)
Organ Affinity Heart, Spleen, Kidneys

Role in Zhu Ye Tang

Nourishes the Heart and stops sweating, helping to alleviate irritability and fluid loss.
View herb details
Gua Lou

Gua Lou

Trichosanthes fruit

Dosage 9 - 15g
Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ)
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach, Large Intestine

Role in Zhu Ye Tang

Clears heat, transforms phlegm, and generates fluids to moisten the Lungs and Stomach, reducing thirst and dry mouth.
View herb details

Why This Combination Works

How the herbs in Zhu Ye Tang complement each other

Overall strategy

This formula directly attacks Stomach heat, the root cause of the thirst and irritability, while simultaneously generating and distributing body fluids to restore moisture to the upper body. It clears without causing excessive dryness and promotes urination to guide heat out through the lower burner.

King herbs

Bamboo leaf (Zhu Ye) is the principal herb; its sweet, bland, cold nature enters the Heart, Lung, and Stomach channels. It not only clears superficial heat but also relieves heart fire that manifests as irritability. Its ability to generate fluids makes it ideal for heat-induced thirst.

Deputy herbs

Gypsum (Shi Gao) powerfully clears Stomach fire and restrains blazing yang heat, directly addressing the intense heat that scorches the fluids. It works together with bamboo leaf to cover both the qi and blood aspects of heat.

Assistant herbs

Poria (Fu Ling) drains dampness and promotes urination, providing an exit route for heat via the lower burner, while also calming the mind. Wheat (Xiao Mai) nourishes the Heart and stops sweating, preserving fluids and easing mental restlessness. Trichosanthes fruit (Gua Lou) clears heat, transforms any hot phlegm, and generates fluids to moisten the Lungs and Stomach, thereby directly alleviating dry throat and thirst.

Notable synergies

Bamboo leaf and gypsum pair to clear heat from both the qi system and the interior, covering the full spectrum of Stomach fire. Wheat and poria together soothe the spirit and drain dampness, ensuring mental calm and fluid balance are restored simultaneously.

How to Prepare

Traditional preparation instructions for Zhu Ye Tang

Decoct the ingredients together. The classic text specifies using 5 sheng of fresh bamboo leaf (cut), 3 liang each of poria and gypsum, 3 sheng of wheat, and 2 liang of trichosanthes fruit. Modern practice: soak the ingredients in about 1000 ml water for 30 minutes, then bring to a boil and simmer for 20–30 minutes until reduced to roughly 400 ml. Strain and serve.

Common Modifications

How practitioners adapt Zhu Ye Tang for specific situations

Added
Tian Hua Fen

9g; enhances fluid generation and clears heat

Tian Hua Fen strongly promotes fluids and moistens dryness, directly targeting the intense thirst and parched sensation.

Related Formulas

Formulas often compared to or combined with Zhu Ye Tang, with a side-by-side look at how their compositions differ

Derivative
Cool 7 herbs Decoction (Tang)

A classical formula for recovery after febrile illness, addressing lingering low-grade heat combined with exhaustion, thirst, and nausea. It gently clears residual heat while replenishing Qi and body fluids that were damaged by the illness, and calms the stomach to stop nausea.

Therapeutic focus
Post-Illness Recovery Fluid Balance Digestive Health Blood Sugar Support

What changed

Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang adds Mai Dong, Ren Shen, Ban Xia, Geng Mi, and Gan Cao to this simpler bamboo leaf and gypsum base. It is used for residual heat with qi and yin deficiency after febrile disease, whereas Zhu Ye Tang is more direct for acute heat thirst without significant deficiency.

Composition comparison

Shared (2)
Zhu Ye Shi Gao
Only in Zhu Ye Tang (3)
Fu Ling Xiao Mai Gua Lou
Only in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang (5)
Ren Shen Mai Dong Ban Xia Gan Cao Jing Mi
Contrasting approach
Cool 11 herbs Decoction (Tang)

A classical formula designed to help the body bring skin rashes (particularly measles) fully to the surface while clearing internal heat from the Lungs and Stomach. It is used when a rash has started but fails to come out completely, especially when accompanied by cough, fever, irritability, and sore throat.

Therapeutic focus
Skin Conditions Respiratory Health Fever Management

How it compares

Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang treats measles and fever with a broader antiviral focus, while Zhu Ye Tang is narrowly aimed at Stomach heat and thirst.

Composition comparison

Shared (0)
—
Only in Zhu Ye Tang (5)
Zhu Ye Shi Gao Fu Ling Xiao Mai Gua Lou
Only in Zhu Ye Liu Bang Tang (11)
Xi He Liu (西河柳 / Cheng Liu 柽柳) Dan Zhu Ye Niu Bang Zi Jing Jie Ge Gen Chan Tui Bo He Zhi Mu Xuan Shen Mai Dong Gan Cao

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herbal formula.

Contraindications

Situations where Zhu Ye Tang should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Presence of true Heat or Yin deficiency with Fire — the formula's warming nature can exacerbate Heat signs such as high fever, thirst, and irritability.

Avoid

Excessive exterior Wind-Heat — the release of exterior with warm acrid herbs may trap pathogenic Heat.

Avoid

Active bleeding or hemorrhagic tendencies — Fu Zi and other warm herbs may increase bleeding risk.

Avoid

Known allergy to any of the herbs, particularly Fu Zi (Aconite) or Gan Cao.

Caution

Debilitated patients with severe Yin or Blood deficiency without clear Yang deficiency — use with extreme caution and modification.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated during pregnancy — contains Fu Zi (Aconite), which can stimulate uterine contractions and is potentially toxic; the formula is indicated for the postpartum state, not during gestation.

Breastfeeding

Caution advised during breastfeeding — while the formula is designed for the postpartum period, Fu Zi (Aconite) is potentially toxic. No specific data exist on breast milk transfer of the herb’s alkaloids; use under strict practitioner supervision and monitor the infant for any signs of distress.

Children

Zhu Ye Tang is a formula for postpartum conditions and is not typically used in children. If considered for a child with Yang deficiency and external Wind, drastic dosage reduction and close monitoring would be essential, particularly because of the Fu Zi content.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Zhu Ye Tang

  • Fu Zi (Aconite) may potentiate the effects of cardiac glycosides (e.g., digoxin) and antiarrhythmic drugs, increasing the risk of arrhythmias.
  • Gan Cao (Licorice) can cause hypokalemia and may interact with corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics, and antihypertensive medications.
  • Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf) exhibits mild antiplatelet activity; caution with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs such as warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel.
  • No well-documented interactions with most other common medications, but patients on narrow therapeutic window drugs should be monitored by a healthcare provider.

Usage Guidance

Practical advice for getting the most out of Zhu Ye Tang

Best time to take

Take after meals, divided into two doses daily (morning and afternoon/evening).

Typical duration

Acute use: 3–7 days, reassessed by practitioner based on symptom resolution.

Dietary advice

Avoid cold, raw, and difficult-to-digest foods (e.g., raw vegetables, ice-cold drinks, greasy or fried dishes) while taking this warming formula. Favor warm, cooked, easily digestible meals such as congee and light soups to aid Yang qi recovery.

Zhu Ye Tang originates from 《金匮要略》(Jin Gui Yao Lue / Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) — Han dynasty, ~200 CE

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that first described Zhu Ye Tang and its clinical use

《金匮要略·妇人产后病脉证治》：“产后中风，发热，面正赤，喘而头痛，竹叶汤主之。竹叶汤方：竹叶一把，葛根三两，防风一两，桔梗一两，桂枝一两，人参一两，甘草一两，附子一枚（炮），大枣十五枚，生姜五两。”（注：《金匮要略》原文）

Translation: “For postpartum wind-stroke with fever, flushed face, panting, and headache, Bamboo Leaf Decoction governs. Bamboo Leaf Decoction: Bamboo Leaf one handful [~20 g], Kudzu [Ge Gen] 3 liang [~9 g], Saposhnikovia [Fang Feng] 1 liang, Platycodon [Jie Geng] 1 liang, Cinnamon Twig [Gui Zhi] 1 liang, Ginseng [Ren Shen] 1 liang, Licorice [Gan Cao] 1 liang, Aconite [Fu Zi] 1 piece (blast-fried), Chinese Date [Da Zao] 15 pieces, Fresh Ginger [Sheng Jiang] 5 liang.”

Historical Context

How Zhu Ye Tang evolved over the centuries — its origins, lineage, and place in the broader tradition of Chinese medicine

Zhu Ye Tang first appears in Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) under the chapter on postpartum diseases. It was designed for women who, after childbirth, have become deficient in Yang qi and are then struck by external Wind. The formula exemplifies the classical strategy of simultaneously warming and supplementing Yang qi while releasing the exterior to dispel Wind. Later physicians such as those of the Tang and Song dynasties adapted the name “Zhu Ye Tang” to other indications (e.g., postpartum vexation, thirst), but the Jin Gui version remains the prototype. Its use of Fu Zi shows that even in the postpartum period, if Yang deficiency is present, strongly warming medicinals may be employed with due caution.