What are the Differences Between Niu Huang Jie Du and Shang Qing?

Update Date: 2024-05-24 Source: Network

The difference between Niuhuang Jiedu Pills and Niuhuang Shangqing Pills mainly lies in different drug components, different applicable objects, and different clinical applications. The components of Niuhuang Shangqing Pills include artificial Niuhuang, Mentha, Chrysanthemum, Schizonepeta, Angelica dahurica, Ligusticum wallichii, Gardenia jasminoides, Coptis chinensis, Cortex Phellodendri, Scutellaria baicalensis, Rhei Radix and Rhizome, Forsythia suspense, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Angelica sinensis, Rehmannia glutinosa, Platycodon grandiflorum, Licorice, Gypsum Fibrosum, and Borneol. Its main functions include clearing heat and reducing fire, detoxifying, relieving irritation, and dispelling wind. It is often used to treat symptoms such as headache, dizziness, red eyes and tinnitus, mouth and tongue ulcers, chest tightness and irritation, thirst, dry throat, and dry stool caused by excessive upper-jiao fire and heart fire. On the other hand, Niuhuang Jiedu Pills are made by grinding fine powders of traditional Chinese medicines such as Niuhuang, Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Cortex Phellodendri, Rhei Radix and Rhizome, Honeysuckle, and Forsythia suspense, and then mixing them with refined honey. The main function of Niuhuang Jiedu Pills is to clear heat and detoxify, with a cooler medicinal property, suitable for those with strong constitutions and excessive internal heat.

Clinically, both Niuhuang Jiedu Pills and Niuhuang Shangqing Pills are used to treat symptoms caused by internal heat (non-wind heat), such as mouth and nose ulcers, sore throat, swollen and painful gums, red and swollen eyes, etc. They are particularly effective for treating oral inflammation, such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, toothache, and oral ulcers accompanied by constipation. Overall, both Niuhuang Jiedu Pills and Niuhuang Shangqing Pills have the function of clearing heat and detoxifying, but the former is more specialized in detoxification and mainly treats symptoms caused by excessive heat toxicity due to internal heat, while the latter is more effective in clearing heat and reducing fire in the liver, lungs, and stomach, suitable for symptoms caused by excessive ascending heat.

Different formulations lead to different primary treatments. Both Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets and Niuhuang Shangqing Tablets have the effect of clearing heat, with the former mainly clearing heat and detoxifying, and the latter mainly clearing heat and reducing fire. Both medications have a cool and cold nature and should not be taken in excess, as they can easily lead to side effects such as diarrhea. Heart patients and pregnant women should use them with caution. Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets also contain Realgar, which should not be taken in excess.