This formula was first recorded in ‘Medical Secrets of an Official’ (wai tai mi yao), by Wang Tao, 752 CE. It was originally used for severe conditions in which a virulent pathogen ‐ Heat Toxin or Fire Toxin ‐ pervades the Triple Jiao and thus affects all bodily systems. This would generally equate with an acute medical emergency, such as septicemia or pyemia. For this reason the original formula had quite a large dose of Coptis (huang lian) ‐ about one third more than that of each of the other ingredients.

However, in modern formulations the dosage of this ingredient is reduced so that it is about one third less than that of the other ingredients. This is in keeping with the broader clinical applications for which it is now more commonly used. The three ‘yellow’ (huang) herbs in this formula (Coptis, Scutellaria and Phellodendron) contain a variety of potent alkaloids (including berberine) as well as flavonoids and flavone glycosides, which provide broad spectrum antimicrobial action as well as anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. It is therefore suitable for treating a variety of acute infections that may or may not be accompanied by systemic signs and symptoms.

• Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to expel fire
• Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to remove Heat toxin