Pai Nong Tang: A Combined Formula for Treating Pus and Swelling

Health Lab
May 20
4 min read

Pai Nong Tang is not a standalone formula but a combination of two Chinese medicine formulas—Pai Nong San (Powder) and Pai Nong Tang (Decoction)—used together to boost effectiveness in treating pus-forming conditions.

Pai Nong San comes from the Eastern Han Dynasty physician Zhang Zhongjing’s Shanghan Zabing Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases), noted for treating Yangming disease with unresolved surface symptoms, fever, no sweating, and irritability.

Pai Nong Tang, from Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet), is used for abscesses and sores with pus. Both formulas have a long history and hold an important place in Chinese medicine.

Formula Explanation of Pai Nong San and Pai Nong Tang

When combined, Pai Nong San and Pai Nong Tang use a small but well-crafted set of herbs, reflecting the Chinese medicine principle of “monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy”:

Pai Nong San:

Monarch Herb: Zhi Shi. Bitter and slightly cold, Zhi Shi regulates qi, breaks stagnation, clears heat, and softens abscesses, helping to open sores and drain pus.
Supporting Herb: Shao Yao. Cold in nature, Shao Yao cools blood, promotes circulation, and relieves pain from inflammation.
Assistant/Envoy Herb: Jie Geng. Jie Geng opens lung qi, promotes qi flow, and guides the formula upward to aid pus drainage.

Pai Nong Tang:

Monarch Herb: Jie Geng. Opens lung qi, directs the formula to the affected area, and promotes pus drainage.
Supporting Herb: Gan Cao. Clears heat, detoxifies, harmonizes the formula, and eases pain.
Assistant Herbs: Sheng Jiang, Da Zao. These nourish blood, activate circulation, soften the intensity of Jie Geng and Gan Cao, and enhance pain relief.

When used together, Pai Nong San and Pai Nong Tang clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, and drain pus. They are highly effective for painful, pus-filled skin conditions, such as red, swollen, hot sores or abscesses.

Pathogenesis Analysis of Pai Nong San and Pai Nong Tang

Though both formulas are named for “draining pus” and are often combined for stronger effects, they differ in composition, focus, and pathogenesis.

Differences in Composition

Pai Nong San: Simple, with just Zhi Shi, Shao Yao, and Jie Geng. It is focused and potent, targeting abscesses that are forming but not yet draining, where vital energy is strong but pathogens are intense.
Pai Nong Tang: Even simpler, with only Jie Geng and Gan Cao. It is more direct, emphasizing lung qi opening to promote pus drainage while clearing heat and toxins.

Differences in Pathogenesis

Pai Nong San: Focuses on “abscesses about to rupture but not yet draining, with qi and blood stagnation.” Heat and blood stasis block qi flow, causing abdominal fullness or hardness. It breaks qi stagnation and activates blood to clear blockages, setting the stage for pus drainage.
Pai Nong Tang: Targets “lung qi stagnation blocking qi flow, trapping pus.” It opens lung qi and promotes smooth qi movement to facilitate pus drainage, addressing the site directly.

Differences in Treatment Focus

Pai Nong San: Used for early-stage abscesses or those about to rupture, aiming to clear heat, break stagnation, and reduce swelling.
Pai Nong Tang: Used when pus has formed but is hard to drain, focusing on opening lung qi and promoting pus discharge.

Indications for Pai Nong San and Pai Nong Tang

Combined, Pai Nong San and Pai Nong Tang are widely used for various pus-forming conditions:

Skin Conditions: Abscesses, boils, carbuncles, or cellulitis, relieving red, swollen, hot, painful skin and promoting pus drainage.
Dental Conditions: Gingivitis or alveolar abscesses, easing gum pain and loose teeth.
ENT Conditions: Tonsillitis or sinusitis with pus, helping clear pus and reduce inflammation.
Other Pus-Related Conditions: Mastitis or lung abscesses.

The combination is highly complementary: Pai Nong San breaks qi stagnation and activates blood to prepare for pus drainage, while Pai Nong Tang opens lung qi to ensure smooth pus discharge. Together, they reduce local inflammation and promo

Modern Applications

In modern medicine, Pai Nong San and Pai Nong Tang are seen as “Chinese medicine antibiotics” for bacterial infections causing pus. Unlike Western antibiotics, they focus on holistic balance, clearing heat, reducing inflammation, and draining pus while supporting the body’s vitality to minimize harm.

Research shows they have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, helping inhibit bacterial growth and promote wound healing. Beyond standalone use, they are often paired with other formulas for enhanced effects:

For chronic sinusitis or acne, they can be combined with Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang or Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang to boost heat-clearing and wind-dispersing effects.
For oral ulcers or gum pain, they may be paired with Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang or Li Xiao San to ease pain and promote ulcer healing.

Precautions

When using Pai Nong San and Pai Nong Tang, keep the following in mind:

Constitution Considerations: The formulas are cooling, so those with cold constitutions or weak spleen-stomach function should use them cautiously or adjust doses under a practitioner’s guidance.
Pattern Differentiation: Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to confirm suitability for pus-forming conditions, ensuring proper application.

Conclusion

Pai Nong San and Pai Nong Tang, classic Chinese medicine formulas, offer unique benefits for treating pus-forming conditions. With proper pattern differentiation and practitioner guidance, they can effectively relieve symptoms and promote recovery. Always follow a practitioner’s advice, considering individual constitution and precautions, to ensure safe and effective use.