Source: Secrets from the Orchid Chamber (1336)

Indication: Raging Fire with Blood/Yin deficiency

Symptoms: Fever, night sweats, red face, dry mouth and parched lips, irritability, dry stools, dark and scanty urine.

Tongue: red, dry coat; Pulse: rapid

This formula treats raging Heart Fire and Kidney yin (water) deficiency where the fire above consumes the water below. This leads to the fire pushing fluids out as sweat, that the deficient yin is unable to control. The ingredients work to nourishes qi and blood, so that the pores tighten and sweat can not escape. Warm, sweet, acrid Dang Gui can nourish blood and increase fluids. Sweet, bitter, and cooling Sheng Di, enriches yin fluids and essence, together with Shu Di (sweet and warm) they nourish water to control fire. The deputies (Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Huang Bai) are bitter and cold and drain fire. When the fire is drained, and the water is fortified, the night sweats will resolve.