This article summarizes professor CAO Hongxin’s experience in treating systemic lupus erythematosus（ SLE）. The author holds that the main pathogenesis of SLE is Yin deficiency with internal heat and binding of stasis and heat

so it should be treated with the method of nourishing Yin

clearing heat

invigorating blood and unblocking the collaterals. In clinical practice

the syndromes are often divided into four types

including 1) syndrome of intense heat toxin with blazing of both Ying and blood

which could be treated with the method of clearing heat

resolving toxin

cooling the blood and removing macules

with commonly used Xijiao Dihuang Decoction（ 犀角地黄汤）; 2) syndrome of liver-kidney Yin deficiency with vigorous fire

which could be treated with the method of nourishing the liver and the kidney and clearing deficiency-heat

with commonly used Zhibai Dihuang Pill（ 知柏地黄丸） and modified Shangzhongxia Tongyong Tongfeng Decoction（ 上中下通用痛风方）; 3) syndrome of arthralgia（ pain caused by Bi syndrome） due to wind-dampness with collateral obstruction of blood stasis

which could be treated with the method of expelling wind and dampness

diffusing Bi and unblocking the collaterals

with commonly used modified Shentong Zhuyu Decoction（ 身痛逐瘀汤） and Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction（ 黄芪桂枝五物汤）; 4) syndrome of spleen-kidney deficiency with excessive water dampness

which could be treated with the method of warming and nourishing the spleen and the kidney

promoting urination and percolating dampness

with commonly used modified Qingxin Lianzi Decoction（ 清心莲子饮）

Fuzi Decoction（ 附子汤） and Shipi Decoction（ 实脾饮）. At the same time

the combination of Chinese medicine and western medicine as well as holistic treatment should be paid attention to

and eagerness for quick efficacy should be avoided.