Gallbladder-Clearing Fire-Draining Decoction

Source: Empirical formula

Ingredients

Actions: Courses the liver, frees the interior, and resolves dampness.

Indications: Cholecystitis characterized by repletion fire signs unremitting rib-side pain, dry mouth and bitter taste in the mouth, alternating heat effusion and aversion to cold, no thought of food and drink, abdominal distension, constipation, and yellow urine. In some cases there is yáng jaundice with the eyes and body turning to the color of mandarin oranges. Tongue: Red or crimson with yellow fur. Pulse: Stringlike, slippery, and rapid, or surging and rapid.

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Chái hú, Mù xiāng, and Yù jīn course the liver and rectify qì. Huáng qín clears the gallbladder. Dà huáng frees the bowels. Bàn xià checks vomiting. These agents are also common to Qīng dǎn xíng qì tāng (清胆行气汤 Gallbladder-Clearing Qì-Moving Decoction)and qingdanlishitang. However, since this formula addresses repletion fire, it includes not only huangqin, but also Yīn chén, Zhī zǐ, and Lóng dǎn to clear the liver and drain fire, and Máng xiāo is added to help the precipitant action of the Dà huáng.

Variations:

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