Properties: Bitter, pungent and slightly cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Stomach, Liver and Gallbladder
Extraordinary Vessels: Dai
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Clears Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder and relieves jaundice
Jaundice due to Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat
- Clears Heat and facilitates the resolution of Dampness
Damp sores, wind rashes, other skin diseases, in the Lower parts of the body (can be used alone as a wash)
- Clears and releases Dampness in the the Exterior
Damp-Warm Febrile disease
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light, boost the Qi and slow ageing. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
Suggested Daily Dosage: 6-15g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for jaundice with yellowish skin due to accumulation of blood or sallow yellow due to blood deficiency.
Appears in 15 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Chai Qin Cheng Qi Tang (Beuplurum and Scutellaria Decoction to Order the Qi)
From: Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine by Xue et al. (July 2005)
Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang (Tangkuei Decoction to Pry Out Pain)
From: Expounding on the Origins of Medicine by Li Gao / Li Dong Yuan (Yuan dynasty)
Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan (Sweet Dew Special Pill to Eliminate Toxin)
From: Secretly Transmitted Effective Medicine (1831)
Gan Lu Yin (Sweet Dew Drink)
From: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People of the Taiping Era by Tai Yi Ju (Imperial Medical Bureau) (1107)
Li Dan Tang (Boost the Gall Bladder Decoction)
From: New Acute Abdomen by Qingdao Taixi Hospital (1978)
Qing Dan Xie Huo Tang (Clear the Gallbladder and Drain Fire Decoction)
From: Integrated Chinese and Western Medical Treatment of the Acute Abdomen (1973)
Xie Gan Tang (Drain the Liver Decocotion)
From: Selections from the Clinical Experience of Guan You-Bo (2006) by Guan You-Bo
Yang Zheng Xiao Ji Jiao Nang (Support the Upright and Eliminate Accumulations Capsules)
From: Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010, volume I
Yi Jia Jian Zheng Qi San (First Modification of Rectify the Qi Powder)
From: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases by Wu Tang / Wu Ju Tong (1798)
Yin Chen Fu Zi Gan Jiang Tang (Virgate Wormwood, Aconite Accessory Root and Ginger Decoction)
From: Precious Mirror of Health by Luo Tian-Yi (Yuan Dynasty)
Yin Chen Hao Tang (Virgate Wormwood Decoction)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)
Yin Chen Si Ni Tang (Virgate Wormwood Decoction for Frigid Extremities)
From: Comprehensive Medicine According to Master Zhang (1695) by Zhang Lu-Yu / Shi-Wan
Yin Chen Wu Ling San (Virgate Wormwood Five Ingredient Powder with Poria)
From: Discussion of Cold Damage by Zhang Zhong-Jing (c. 220)
Yin Chen Zhu Yu Tang (Virgate Wormwood, Atractylodes and Aconite Decoction)
From: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies by Cheng Guo-Peng (1732)
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang (Sedate the Liver and Extinguish Wind Decoction)
From: Essays on Medicine Esteeming the Chinese and Respecting the Western by Zang Xi Chun / Zang Shou Fu (1918-1934)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
