Gua Lou Xie Bai Tang 栝楼薤白汤
Trichosanthes and Chive Decoction

Tradition:

TCM

Source / Author:

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (c.220)

Herb Name

Latin

Amount

Gua Lou (Trichosanthes)

Trichosanthes kirilowii

12 grams

Xie Bai (Chinese Chive

Allium macrostemon

9–12 grams

Preparation:

Decoct in equal parts of Wine (White Spirit) and Water. Traditionally boiled in 7 cups of alcohol (grain spirit) down to 2 cups. It can be decocted in water, and 20mls of Spirit added to the decoction.

Function:

Clears Phlegm, Opens Obstructions, Unblocks the Yang, Moves Qi

Use:

Chest fullness and pain with pain into the Upper Back, greasy tongue coat, deep or wiry pulse.
1. Chest Pain from Heart Yang deficiency
2. Phlegm obstructing the Heart
3. Angina Pectoris
4. Cough, Wheezing with copious clear Phlegm
5. Shortness of Breath
6. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Dose:

Take a small cupful 2 or 3 times daily.

Cautions:

1. Not used in Yin deficiency
2. Not used in Phlegm-Heat disorders

Modifications:

1. For more severe Phlegm obstruction, add Pinellia Ban Xia. This is then called Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang.
2. Angina Pectoris:
i. add Salvia Dan Shen, Saffron, Borneo Camphor
ii. add Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), Frankincense, Safflower (Hong Hua)
3. Severe Cold pain of the Chest, add Aconitum Fu Zi, dry Ginger
4. Severe Qi stagnation with focal distention, add Magnolia Hou Po, Immature Orange Zhi Shi, Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi)
5. Intercostal Neuralgia, take with Si Ni San


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