Long Dan Xie Gan Tang 龙胆泻肝汤
Gentian Decoction to Drain the Liver
Tradition:
TCM
Source / Author:
Analytic Collection of Medical Formulas
|
Herb Name |
Latin |
Amount |
|---|---|---|
|
Gentiana scabra |
3–9 grams | |
|
Scutellaria baicalensis |
6–12 grams | |
|
Gardenia jasminoides |
6–12 grams | |
|
Caulis Akebia |
3–6 grams | |
|
Plantago asiatica |
9–15 grams | |
|
Alisma plantago-aquatica |
6–12 grams | |
|
Bupleurum chinense |
3–9 grams | |
|
Rehmannia glutinosa |
9–15 grams | |
|
Angelica sinensis |
6–12 grams | |
|
Glycyrrhiza uralensis |
3–6 grams |
Preparation:
Decoction; often used in powder or pill form.
Function:
Clears Heat and Damp-Heat from the Liver
Use:
Hypochondriac pain, headache, red eyes, bitter taste, red tongue with a yellow coating, rapid and forceful pulse.
1. Migraine, Headaches
2. Cholecystitis, Gall Stones
3. Painful urination, Cystitis
4. Retinitis, acute Glaucoma, corneal Ulcers
5. Serious infections of the Eye or Ear
6. Herpes Zoster, Herpes Simplex
7. Hyperthyroidism
8. Orchitis, Epididymitis
9. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
10. Prostatitis
Dose:
Decoction: the above can be taken over the course of a day. In Powder: 3–6 grams twice daily (taken after meals if the stomach is weak or sensitive).
Comment:
This is an extremely useful formula and is far better suited and more gentle in effect when used in pill or powder form, the decoction being reserved for strong Liver Heat conditions.
Cautions:
This is a Cold and Drying formula. It will harm the Spleen and for this reason is disliked by some TCM practitioners, especially of the ‘Earth School’. However, used as powder or pills it is far better tolerated and less likely to be so draining, yet is still markedly effective. It is not used in deficiency of the Qi or Yin.
Modifications:
1. I find this better with Safflower (Hong Hua) added. Safflower opens the finest channels of the Liver to carry the other medicines deeper into the Liver organ. In addition, it counters the effect cold herbs have on capillary circulation. Safflower is also accounted as the primary Liver medicine of the Six Excellent Medicines in the Tibetan Tradition.
2. The addition of Costus Mu Xiang and Atractylodes Bai Zhu helps counter the cold effect on the Spleen.
3. Taken with Si Wu Tang to nourish the Blood while simultaneously clearing Liver Heat. This is very useful in skin conditions with heat, but in someone who may still be pale faced and blood deficient. Useful for Acne, Eczema etc.
Back to DECOCTIONS
Back to FORMULAS
How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures
