Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin: Clearing Lung Heat and Relieving Cough in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Hongji Medical
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin, a classic formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is renowned for its ability to clear lung heat, moisten dryness, and relieve cough. Originating from the Qing Dynasty physician Wang Weide’s Wai Ke Da Cheng (Great Compendium of External Medicine), this formula is documented in a key surgical text that details treatments for various conditions. Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin remains a go-to remedy for lung heat-related cough, widely used in clinical practice today.
Composed of herbs like loquat leaf, mulberry bark, and others, this formula is carefully balanced to clear lung heat, transform phlegm, and soothe coughing, making it highly effective for respiratory issues caused by heat.
Composition of Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin consists of several herbs, organized according to the TCM principle of "monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy":
Monarch Herb: Loquat Leaf (Pi Pa Ye)
Bitter and slightly cold, it targets the lung and stomach meridians, clearing lung heat, calming cough, and harmonizing the stomach to relieve nausea.
Minister Herbs: Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi), Coptis (Huang Lian), Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bai)
Mulberry Bark, sweet and cold, clears lung heat and reduces swelling by promoting diuresis.
Coptis, bitter and cold, clears heat, dries dampness, and detoxifies, targeting multiple meridians (heart, spleen, stomach, liver, gallbladder, large intestine).
Phellodendron Bark, bitter and cold, clears heat, dries dampness, and detoxifies, focusing on the kidney, bladder, and large intestine meridians.
Together, these herbs clear lung heat and address the root cause of heat-related symptoms.
Assistant Herb: Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly warm, it targets the spleen and lung meridians, boosting vital qi, strengthening the spleen and lungs, generating fluids, and calming the spirit to enhance resistance to pathogens.
Envoy Herb: Licorice Root (Gan Cao)
Sweet and neutral, it targets the heart, lung, spleen, and stomach meridians, harmonizing the formula, tonifying qi, and enhancing the herbs’ overall effects.
Pathological Mechanism
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin targets lung heat and impaired lung function, with the following mechanisms:
Lung Heat Stagnation: Caused by external wind-heat or internal yin deficiency, leading to excessive heat in the lungs.
Impaired Lung Function: Lung heat disrupts the lungs’ descending function, causing cough, wheezing, or chest tightness.
Dryness and Fluid Damage: Heat consumes body fluids, leading to lung dryness and worsening cough.
Phlegm-Heat Obstruction: Heat transforms fluids into sticky phlegm, obstructing lung qi and intensifying cough.
Common Symptoms: Cough with yellow, sticky phlegm, sore throat, dry mouth and nose, fever, red tongue with yellow coating, and a slippery, rapid pulse.
Functions and Indications
Functions
Clears lung heat.
Moistens dryness and transforms phlegm.
Stops cough and relieves wheezing.
Indications
Cough with yellow, sticky phlegm.
Sore throat.
Dry mouth and nose.
Fever.
Red tongue with yellow coating.
Slippery, rapid pulse.
Lung-heat-related skin conditions, such as acne.
Comparison with Other Formulas
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin stands out among cough-relieving formulas:
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang: Treats lung dryness with qi and yin deficiency, focusing on dry cough without phlegm. Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin emphasizes clearing heat and transforming phlegm.
Sang Ju Yin: Targets early-stage wind-heat cough with fever and thirst, unlike Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin’s focus on lung heat with sticky phlegm.
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang: Addresses severe lung heat with wheezing and high fever, while Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin is suited for cough with phlegm.
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin excels in treating lung heat cough with yellow, sticky phlegm.
Modern Applications and Research
Modern studies highlight Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin’s pharmacological effects:
Cough Suppression: Loquat leaf and mulberry bark effectively reduce coughing.
Phlegm Resolution: These herbs help expel sticky phlegm.
Anti-inflammatory: Coptis and Phellodendron Bark reduce respiratory inflammation.
Antibacterial: These herbs inhibit various bacteria, supporting infection control.
Clinical Uses: Widely used for acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and pharyngitis when diagnosed as lung heat conditions.
Precautions for Use
Syndrome Differentiation: Suitable for lung heat cough. Avoid in cases of wind-cold or yin-deficient cough.
Adverse Reactions: Stop use and consult a doctor if discomfort occurs during treatment.
Consultation: Always use under the guidance of a TCM practitioner to ensure proper application.
Conclusion
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin, rooted in Wai Ke Da Cheng, is a powerful TCM formula for lung heat cough, effectively clearing heat, moistening dryness, and relieving cough with sticky phlegm. Its balanced composition addresses respiratory issues while supporting overall health. Proper syndrome differentiation and professional guidance are essential for safe and effective use, making it a valuable remedy for lung heat conditions in both traditional and modern contexts.
