Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Formula for Clearing Visceral Heat - Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
                         
                                       

                              Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
                            (Gentian Liver-Purging Decoction)

SOURCE: Yi Fang Ji Jie (Collection of Formulae with Notes)
INGREDIENTS:
Long Dan (Gentian root) 9g
Chai Hu (Bupleurum root) 6g
Huang Qin (Scutellaria root) 9g
Zhi Zi (Capejasmine fruit) 9g
Ze Xie (Water plantain) 12g
Che Qian Zi (Plantain seed) 9g
Mu Tong (Akebia stem) 9g replaced by Tong Cao (Tetrapanax papyriferus-stem pith) for Aristolochic Acid free
Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) 3g
Di Huang (Rehmannia root) 9g
Gan Cao (Licorice root) 6g
DIRECTIONS: Decoct the above herbs in water for oral administration.
EFFECTS: Purging the excessive fire of the liver and gallbladder, dispelling dampness heat in the lower jiao.
INDICATIONS: Flaming-up of the excessive fire of the liver and gallbladder manifested by headache with conjunctiva
congestion, hypochondriac pain, oral bitter taste, deafness with bulge of ear; or downward flow of damness heat
manifested by itch and swelling of vulva, impotence, polyhidrosis around the external genitals, stranguria with turbid
urine, or leukorrhagia in woman.
ANALYSIS OF FORMULA: This is an effective formula for the excessive fire of the liver and gallbladder with
downward flow of dampness heat. Being bitter flavor and cold nature, acting on the liver and gallbladder, an (Long
Dgentian stem) is the main herb, which is good at purging the excessive fire of the liver and gallbladder and dispelling
dampness heat in the lower jiao. As the assistant herbs, Huang Qin (scutellaria root) can clear heat and dry dampness
;Zhi Zi (capejasmine fruit) is diuretic which purges fire from the triple jiao and removes dampness. As the adjuvant
herbs, Ze Xie (water plantain), Mu Tong (akebia stem-replaced by Tong Cao) and Che Qian Zi (plantain seed) clear
heat and dampness to induce evils out; Di Huang (rehmannia root) nourishes yin and promotes generation of body fluid;
Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) and Chai Hu (bupleurum root) nourish blood and soothe the liver. Gan Cao (Licorice
root) is the dis- patcher herb to harmonize all the components.
In the present clinic, this formula is usually applied to migraine, hypertension, acute conjuctivitis, acute otitis media,
rhinitis pertaining to flaming up of the excessive fire of the liver and gallbladder; or acute icterohepatitis, acute
cholecystitis, herpes zoster, and inflammation in the urinary and reproductive system such as acute pyelonephritis, acute
cystitis, urethritis, vulvitis, testitis, acute pelvic in- flammation pertaining to interior accumulation of damness heat of the
liver and gallbladder or downward flow of dampness heat.
Since most of herbs in this formula are bitter flavor and cold nature which can injure the spleen and stomach, long-term
use is not-suggested.

                 ASSOCIATED FORMULA FOR LONG DAN XIE GAN TANG
                                              Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
                        Chinese Angelica, Gentian and Aloes Pills
INGREDIENTS : Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root, Long Dan (gentian root), Zhi Zi (acpejasmine fruit), Huang Lian
(coptis root), Huang Bo (phellodendron bark), Huang Qin (scutellaria root), Da Huang (rhubarb), Lu Hui (aloes), Qing
Dai (natural indigo), Mu Xiang (aucklandia root), She Xiang (musk).
The above herbs should be ground and mixed with honey and made into pills which should be taken with fresh ginger
decoction.
Effects: clearing the liver and purging heat and stasis. Indications: excessive fire of the liver and gallbladder manifested
by headache with flushed face,conjunctival congestion with swelling eyelids,distending pain of chest and
hypochondrium,constipation,dark urine,restlessness, or even spasm, strong taut pulse.
NOTES: Both this formula and Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentian Liver-Purging Decoction) have the effects of clearing
the liver and purging heat. This formula stresses on purging fire directly with the extremely bitter flavor and cold nature
as well as inducing fire out through urine and stool, so it specializes in purging the excessive fire of the liver and
gallbladder; while herbs of Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentian Liver-Purging Decoction) includes tonification within
reduction and dispersing within nourishing, so it has a com paratively moderate effect and is mainly to clear away
dampness heat.