Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang: Herbal Relief for Clear Lungs and Nasal Passages
Hongji Medical- Jan 31
- 5 min read
Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang, or Magnolia Clear Lung Decoction, is a classic Chinese herbal formula from the Orthodox Book of Surgery. Designed to clear heat from the lungs, open nasal passages, and reduce inflammation, it’s a go-to remedy for nasal issues like polyps, congestion, and sinusitis caused by wind-heat and dampness.
With a blend of cooling, moistening, and detoxifying herbs, this formula has been valued for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and continues to shine in modern applications.
What’s in Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang?
This formula combines a carefully selected group of herbs to address lung heat, nasal blockages, and related symptoms. The key ingredients and their roles are:
Magnolia Flower (Xin Yi Hua): Pungent and warm, magnolia flower clears nasal passages, dispels wind, and reduces congestion, making it ideal for stuffy noses and polyps.
Gypsum (Shi Gao): Cold and sweet, gypsum cools the lungs and stomach, relieving high fevers and lung heat.
Skullcap (Huang Qin): Bitter and cold, skullcap clears heat, reduces inflammation, and detoxifies the lungs.
Hollyhock (Shu Kui): Cooling and moistening, hollyhock soothes the lungs and throat, easing dryness and irritation.
Loquat Leaf (Pi Pa Ye): Bitter and cooling, loquat leaf clears lung heat, stops coughs, and relieves throat discomfort.
Ophiopogon (Mai Dong): Sweet and cooling, ophiopogon nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, and relieves dry mouth or throat.
Lily Bulb (Bai He): Sweet and slightly cold, lily bulb moistens the lungs, calms the mind, and supports respiratory health.
Anemarrhena (Zhi Mu): Bitter and cold, anemarrhena nourishes yin, clears heat, and promotes fluid production to combat dryness.
Cimicifuga (Sheng Ma): Pungent and cooling, cimicifuga detoxifies, lifts qi, and clears wind and heat from the upper body.
Licorice Root (Gan Cao): Sweet and neutral, licorice harmonizes the formula, soothes the stomach, and boosts qi to enhance overall effects.
These herbs are typically decocted in water to create a tea, with dosages adjusted based on the patient’s condition.
How It Works
Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang targets wind-heat and dampness in the lung meridian, a TCM concept where external wind and heat combine with internal dampness, causing lung inflammation and nasal blockages. This can lead to qi stagnation and blood vessel obstruction, resulting in symptoms like nasal polyps or congestion. The formula works by:
Clearing Lung Heat: Gypsum, skullcap, hollyhock, and loquat leaf cool the lungs, reducing inflammation and purging heat.
Opening Nasal Passages: Magnolia flower dispels wind and clears blockages, easing stuffiness and polyp-related discomfort.
Nourishing Lung Yin: Ophiopogon, lily bulb, and anemarrhena moisten the lungs, relieving dryness and sore throat.
Detoxifying: Cimicifuga clears toxins and lifts qi to expel harmful influences.
Harmonizing: Licorice ensures the herbs work together smoothly, enhancing the formula’s effectiveness.
This multi-pronged approach treats both symptoms (nasal congestion) and root causes (lung heat and dampness).
What Does It Treat?
Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang is primarily used for nasal and respiratory issues caused by wind-heat and lung meridian dampness, including:
Nasal Polyps: Swelling or growths in the nasal passages causing blockage or discomfort.
Chronic Rhinitis: Persistent nasal congestion, runny nose, or sneezing.
Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses leading to pain, pressure, or headaches.
Nasal Hemorrhoids: TCM term for inflamed nasal tissues, often linked to polyps or congestion.
Related Symptoms: Dry mouth, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, or swelling in the nasal cavity.
How It Differs from Other Formulas
TCM tailors treatments to specific syndromes—cold, heat, or deficiency. Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang stands out for heat-related nasal issues, unlike other formulas:
Cold Syndromes:
Xin Yi San: Uses magnolia, asarum, and Sichuan lovage to dispel cold and clear nasal congestion from wind-cold.
Gui Zhi Tang: Combines cinnamon twig, peony, and ginger to relieve wind-cold symptoms like runny nose and chills.
Heat Syndromes:
Cang Er San: Includes cocklebur fruit, magnolia, and mint to clear wind-heat and nasal congestion.
Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang: Focuses on lung heat and dampness, with stronger cooling and yin-nourishing effects.
Deficiency Syndromes:
Yu Ping Feng San: Uses astragalus and atractylodes to boost lung qi and immunity.
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan: Nourishes kidney yin with rehmannia and yam for yin deficiency.
Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang’s unique blend targets lung heat and nasal blockages while nourishing yin, making it ideal for heat-driven nasal conditions.
Modern Applications
Modern research highlights the formula’s anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-tumor properties, expanding its use beyond TCM. It’s effective for:
Chronic Rhinitis and Sinusitis: Reduces nasal inflammation and congestion, improving breathing.
Nasal Polyps: Shrinks growths and eases swelling through anti-inflammatory effects.
Allergic Rhinitis: Calms allergic responses, reducing sneezing and runny nose.
Respiratory Issues: Soothes coughs, sore throats, and lung irritation from heat or allergies.
In clinical practice, it’s often combined with other formulas or herbs (like corydalis for pain relief) to enhance results, addressing both symptoms and underlying imbalances like qi or yin deficiency.
Historical Perspectives
Physicians across dynasties have praised Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang for nasal conditions:
Gu Shicheng (Complete Book of Ulcer Medicine): Linked nasal hemorrhoids to lung qi stagnation and dampness, recommending magnolia-based formulas with external treatments.
Yang Chengbo (A Quick Guide to Ulcers): Emphasized wind-heat and dampness, advocating internal and external remedies.
Qi Kun (Compendium of Surgery): Attributed nasal issues to lung damp-heat, suggesting Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang with external powders.
Chen Shigong (Authentic Surgery): Stressed lung qi and dampness, combining internal decoctions with topical applications.
These insights highlight the formula’s consistent role in clearing lung heat and nasal blockages, often paired with external therapies like borax powder.
Therapeutic Benefits in Modern Context
With rising environmental pollutants and lifestyle changes, nasal conditions like sinusitis and allergies are increasingly common. Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang’s cooling and detoxifying effects make it a valuable remedy.
Its ability to treat both symptoms (congestion) and root causes (lung heat) aligns with TCM’s holistic approach, boosting immunity and overall respiratory health.
Precautions
Contraindications: Avoid in cases of yin deficiency with excessive fire (e.g., night sweats, dry cough) or cold syndromes, as its cooling nature may worsen these conditions.
Side Effects: Use cautiously and under guidance to prevent imbalances, especially in those with weak digestion or cold constitutions.
Professional Supervision: A TCM practitioner should tailor the dosage and formula to the patient’s needs.
Conclusion
Xin Yi Qing Fei Tang is a powerful Chinese herbal formula that clears lung heat, opens nasal passages, and soothes respiratory discomfort. With herbs like magnolia flower, skullcap, ophiopogon, and licorice, it effectively treats nasal polyps, sinusitis, and chronic rhinitis caused by wind-heat and dampness.
Backed by centuries of use and modern research, its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties make it a versatile remedy. When used under professional guidance, this formula offers natural, holistic relief, restoring clear breathing and vibrant health.
