Break High Fevers

Indications

For very high fevers 39.5° and above, and for fevers that just won’t break with other treatment.

Actions

Very strong antiviral and antibacterial formula that breaks the strongest of heat and fevers.

Dosage

Adults and children over 9 3 - 6 pills every few hours until the fever breaks.

Children 1 - 5 give 1 pill every few hours until the fever breaks

Children 5 - 8 give 2 pills every few hours until the fever breaks

Caution

If fever does not break seek medical attention. Panadol can be helpful here. 

Contains 78 capsules.

AUSTL 99762

Ingredients

Andrographis, herb   60 mg

Woad, root.                120 mg

Woad, leaf                   60mg

Dandelion, root          60mg

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Chuan Xin Lian Jie Du Tang – "Break High Fever"

A modern Chinese herbal formula traditionally used to support the body's response to high fever, severe throat infections and acute inflammatory illnesses by reducing excessive Heat and helping regulate the immune response.

What is Chuan Xin Lian Jie Du Tang?

Fever is one of the body's most important defence mechanisms.

When bacteria or viruses invade, the immune system raises body temperature to help slow the growth of pathogens and improve immune function.

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Most fevers are beneficial.

But sometimes the inflammatory response becomes excessive.

The temperature rises rapidly.

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The throat becomes intensely painful.

The body aches.

Energy disappears.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) describes this as Excess Heat and Toxicity, where the immune response has become extremely active.

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Chuan Xin Lian Jie Du Tang was developed to help cool excessive inflammation while supporting the body's natural ability to overcome infection.

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At Chiron Medical we call it "Break High Fever", because one of its most recognisable applications is helping manage illnesses characterised by high fever, severe sore throat and intense inflammatory symptoms.

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This formula should never delay urgent medical assessment. High fever, particularly in young children or when accompanied by confusion, difficulty breathing, severe headache or neck stiffness, requires prompt medical evaluation.

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A Modern Formula for Acute Inflammatory Illness

Unlike many classical formulas that date back more than a thousand years, Chuan Xin Lian Jie Du Tang is a modern combination of herbs selected for their complementary antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory actions.

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Its ingredients have become some of the most extensively researched medicinal herbs in Asia for acute respiratory infections and febrile illness.

Why We Call It "Break High Fever"

This formula is intended for illnesses that present with obvious signs of excessive Heat.

Typical symptoms include:

• high fever

• severe sore throat

• swollen tonsils

• red throat

• painful swallowing

• swollen lymph glands

• intense body aches

• marked fatigue

Patients often describe feeling:

"Like I've been hit by a truck."

This is a very different presentation from the early sniffles treated with Gui Zhi Tang or the mild sore throat addressed by Yin Qiao San.

What Is It Traditionally Used For?

Traditionally, this formula is prescribed for Severe Heat Toxin affecting the Upper Respiratory Tract.

Acute Respiratory Illness

• high fever

• influenza-like illness

• severe sore throat

• tonsillitis (supportive care)

• pharyngitis (supportive care)

Acute Inflammatory Conditions

Traditionally considered for:

• swollen lymph nodes

• severe inflammatory infections

• Heat toxin conditions

• febrile illness

The Herbs That Make the Formula

This formula combines four powerful herbs recognised for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Chuan Xin Lian (Andrographis)

Traditional role

The principal herb.

Clears intense Heat, resolves Toxicity and relieves severe throat infections.

Biomedical actions

Research demonstrates:

• antiviral activity

• antibacterial effects

• potent anti-inflammatory activity

• immune modulation

• reduction of inflammatory cytokines

The major active compound, andrographolide, has been extensively investigated for respiratory infections and immune regulation.

Ban Lan Gen (Woad Root)

Traditional role

Clears Heat and Toxicity while supporting the body's response to severe febrile illness.

Biomedical actions

Research suggests:

• antiviral activity

• antibacterial effects

• immune modulation

• anti-inflammatory activity

• antioxidant properties

Da Qing Ye (Woad Leaf)

Traditional role

Cools the Blood and clears severe Heat affecting the throat and upper respiratory tract.

Biomedical actions

Research demonstrates:

• antiviral effects

• anti-inflammatory activity

• regulation of immune responses

• antioxidant activity

Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion Root)

Traditional role

Clears Heat and Toxicity while reducing swelling and inflammation.

Biomedical actions

Research suggests:

• antibacterial activity

• anti-inflammatory effects

• antioxidant activity

• support for immune regulation

• promotion of tissue healing

How the Formula Works

Fever itself is not the illness.

It is the immune system responding to infection.

Modern research suggests this formula helps by supporting the body's regulation of:

• inflammatory cytokines

• oxidative stress

• immune cell activity

• microbial defence

• tissue inflammation

Rather than suppressing the immune system, the herbs appear to help modulate excessive inflammatory responses while supporting normal immune function.

What Does Modern Research Say?

The herbs in Chuan Xin Lian Jie Du Tang are among the best researched botanical medicines for acute respiratory illness.

Respiratory Infections

Studies have investigated:

• upper respiratory tract infections

• influenza-like illness

• sore throat

• acute tonsillitis

Immune Function

Research suggests:

• regulation of IL-6

• reduction of TNF-α

• modulation of NF-κB signalling

• antioxidant protection

Antimicrobial Activity

Experimental research demonstrates activity against a wide range of:

• respiratory viruses

• Gram-positive bacteria

• Gram-negative bacteria

While laboratory findings are encouraging, herbal treatment should complement—not replace—appropriate medical assessment and evidence-based treatment when serious bacterial infection is suspected.

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Comparing the Chiron Medical Infection Formulas

As an infection develops, the body's immune response changes. Heat evolves from an early defensive response into deeper and more localised inflammation. Chinese medicine recognises these changing stages and selects different formulas as the illness progresses.

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Gui Zhi Tang - Colds, Shivers & Sniffles - Early chills, runny nose, sneezing and mild body aches- Supports the body's early immune response during the Wind-Cold stage.

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Yin Qiao San - No.1 Fever & Flu - Early fever, sore throat and viral respiratory infection - Clears early Heat and supports antiviral defence.

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Sang Ju Yin - New Cough - Early cough, mild sore throat and irritation of the lungs - Clears Heat from the lungs while protecting the delicate lung tissues.

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Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang - Throat Infection - Severe sore throat, swollen tonsils and painful swallowing - Clears Heat while nourishing and repairing inflamed throat tissues.

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Long Dan Xie Gan Tang - Liver Fire - Intense, localised inflammatory Heat affecting specific organs - Clears deep inflammatory Heat characterised by redness, heat, itching and pus.

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Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin - Inflammation - Red, hot, swollen skin infections, boils, abscesses and cellulitis - Powerful antibacterial and antiviral formula for Heat Toxin affecting soft tissues.

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Chuan Xin Lian Jie Du Tang - Break High Fever - High fever, severe sore throat and intense constitutional illnessPowerful systemic Heat-clearing and immune support for severe febrile disease. This formula is he strongest anti-viral, antibiotic herbal concoction in the medicine cabinet. Use it when things are getting out of control and Yin Qiao San doesn't seem to work anymore. 

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Understanding the Progression

Respiratory illness and inflammation rarely stay the same. As the body's immune response develops, the pattern changes. Recognising where the Heat has moved allows treatment to evolve alongside the illness.

Colds, Shivers & Sniffles (Gui Zhi Tang)

The illness has only just begun.

Typical symptoms include:

• chills

• shivers

• runny nose

• sneezing

• mild headache

• stiff neck

The body's protective immune response is only just becoming activated.

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No.1 Fever & Flu (Yin Qiao San)

The pathogen begins generating Heat.

Typical symptoms include:

• fever

• sore throat

• headache

• swollen glands

• thirst

Heat remains relatively superficial within the upper respiratory tract.

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New Cough (Sang Ju Yin)

As the infection progresses, Heat begins affecting the lungs.

Typical symptoms include:

• dry cough

• mild sore throat

• hoarse voice

• slight fever

• irritation of the airways

The lungs have now become involved, but inflammation remains relatively early.

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Throat Infection (Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang)

Heat becomes concentrated within the throat.

Typical symptoms include:

• swollen tonsils

• severe sore throat

• painful swallowing

• dry throat

• inflamed throat tissues

The emphasis shifts towards protecting damaged tissues while reducing inflammation.

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Liver Fire (Long Dan Xie Gan Tang)

If Heat continues to intensify, it may become concentrated within individual organs and tissues.

A useful Chiron Medical guide is the Rule of Four:

Red • Hot • Itchy • Pus

When three of these four features are present, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang often becomes an important consideration.

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Inflammation (Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin)

Heat Toxin now produces significant tissue inflammation.

Typical symptoms include:

• boils

• abscesses

• infected wounds

• cellulitis

• marked redness

• swelling

• pus formation

This is one of Chinese medicine's premier formulas for significant bacterial and viral inflammatory disease.

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Break High Fever (Chuan Xin Lian Jie Du Tang)

At the highest level of inflammatory activity, the immune response becomes systemic.

Typical symptoms include:

• high fever

• severe sore throat

• swollen glands

• profound fatigue

• severe body aches

• significant constitutional illness

The inflammatory response has now reached its greatest intensity.

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For Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners

Classical Pattern

Severe Heat Toxin

Typical presentation:

• high fever

• intensely sore throat

• swollen tonsils

• thirst

• red tongue

• rapid pulse

Formula Strategy

Chuan Xin Lian Jie Du Tang:

• Clears intense Heat.

• Resolves Toxicity.

• Cools the Blood.

• Reduces inflammation.

• Supports recovery from febrile illness.

Common Clinical Applications

Frequently considered for:

• acute tonsillitis

• severe pharyngitis

• influenza-like illness

• upper respiratory infections

• febrile viral illness

For Medical Doctors

Proposed Biomedical Actions

Current research suggests the constituent herbs influence:

• IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α

• NF-κB signalling

• oxidative stress

• innate immune responses

• antimicrobial defence

• inflammatory tissue injury

Major bioactive compounds include:

• andrographolide

• indirubin

• indigo

• taraxasterol

• chlorogenic acid

Collectively these compounds demonstrate antiviral, antibacterial, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities that support the formula's traditional use in acute febrile illness.

Potential Herb–Drug Considerations

Clinical monitoring is advisable in patients taking:

• antibiotics

• immunosuppressive medications

• anticoagulants

• antihypertensive medications

Patients with persistent high fever, difficulty breathing, altered consciousness, severe dehydration, neck stiffness, chest pain or suspected sepsis require urgent medical assessment. This formula should be regarded as supportive therapy and must not delay appropriate emergency care.

Supporting the Body Through the Storm

A high fever can be frightening.

Yet it also reflects an immune system working hard to defend the body.

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The challenge is supporting that response without allowing excessive inflammation to cause unnecessary suffering.

That is why we call this formula "Break High Fever."

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Its purpose is not simply to cool the body, but to help restore balance during one of the most intense phases of acute illness—supporting the body's remarkable ability to heal while recognising when expert medical care is essential.

Key Takeaways

• Chuan Xin Lian Jie Du Tang is a modern herbal formula formulated to support acute illnesses characterised by high fever, severe sore throat and intense inflammatory responses.

• At Chiron Medical it is called "Break High Fever" because it is intended for the stage of illness where fever and inflammation become pronounced.

• It combines Andrographis, Woad Root, Woad Leaf and Dandelion Root, herbs with well-documented antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

• It complements Gui Zhi Tang ("Colds, Shivers & Sniffles") and Yin Qiao San ("Fever & Flu"), providing support for a later and more severe stage of respiratory illness.

• The formula should be prescribed by a qualified Chinese medicine practitioner and used alongside appropriate medical care. High fever or severe infection always warrants careful medical assessment.