Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Medicine for Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness- Long Dan (Cao)
            
       
                        Long Dan
                                                 (LDA012)                                      
                                            Long Dan Cao
                                        Gentian Root Radix
               

This herb consists of the root of the perennial herbs, Gentiana scabra Bunge d G. trifolia Pall. or G. manshurica Kitag. (Family
Gentianacea , distributed dely in northern and southern of China, and yielded abundantly in the provinces
f northeast regions. It may be dug out and collected either in spring or in au- mn, dried, cut into pieces, and used raw.             
  
Properites: Bitter in flavour', cold in nature, it acts on the liver, gallbladder,and bladder channels. The herb has the effects of
clearing heat and dampness, purging fire downward, So it is good at clearing the dampness heat in the liver and bladder and in
the lower jiao. It also purges the excessive and stagnated fire. The herb is indicated for jaundice due to dampness heat,
downward flow of dampness heat, congestion caused by liver fire and the occurrence of wind syndrome in case of extreme
heat.
Effects: Clearing heat and dampness, and purging fire in the liver and gallbladder.
Indications:
1. For treating the syndromes of leukorrhagia, pruritus vulvae and pudic eczema, it is used in combination with the herbs for
clearing heat and dampness, such as Huang Bo (phellodendron bark), Cang Zhu (atractylodes rhizome) and Ku Shen
(flavescent sophora root).
2.. For treati.ng hypochondri.ac pain, bitter taste in th mouth ,cojunctival congestion and headache, it is used in combination
with Chai Hu (bupleurum root) and Mu Tong (manshurian aristilochia stem- replaced by Tong Cao), known as Longdan
Xiegan Tang (Decoction of Gentian for Purging Liver fire), to clear away the heat in the liver and gallbladder, purge fire,
remove dampness. When the dampness heat in the liver and bladder developed into jaundice, it is used in combination with the
herbs for normalizing the function of the gallbladder and clearing jaundice, such as Yin Chen and Zhi Zi.
In addition, in cases of febrile diseases marked as overabundance of heat in the liver channel, infantile convulsion with high
fever, it is used in combination with the herbs for removing heat from the liver and calming the endogenic wind,
known as Liang ling Wan (Bolus for Removing Heat from the Liver and Relieving Convulsion) .
Dosage and Administration: 3~6g.
Modern Researches: The gentian decoction possesses certain antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus
vulgaris, etc. The gentianine has the effects of sedation and muscle relaxant. Taken orally, a small dosage (about 1 g) of the
herb half an hour before meals, the gastric secretion was reflexively reinforced, resulting in improving digestion and appetite. It
may provoke nausea and vomiting if over dosaged. In addition, it can lower the activity of glutamicpyruvic transaminase. Its
component, gentiopicrin inhibits the malarial parasites. (Aidus & E-fong Herbal Solution)