Back to previous page Search again ↑

Source: Shāng Hán Lùn 伤寒论

Alternate Chinese names: 石膏知母汤

Ingredients:

• Shēng shí gāo (生石膏 Gypsum Crudum, crude gypsum) (crushed) 30g
• Zhī mǔ (知母 Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, anemarrhena [root]) 9g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) 3g
• Jīng mǐ (粳米 Oryzae Semen, non-glutinous rice) 9–15g

Action: Clears evil heat in the qì aspect; eliminates vexation and allays thirst.

Indication: Yáng brightness cold damage or qì aspect warm heat disease, characterized by high fever, vexation and agitation, thirst with desire for fluids, large surging or slippery rapid pulse. Also stomach fire manifesting as headache, toothache, or dispersion-thirst (xiāo kě).

Category: Heat-clearing formulas / Qì-aspect heat-clearing formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Warnings: Contraindicated in unresolved exterior patterns with any of the following: aversion to cold and absence of sweating; heat effusion with vexation and thirst; profuse sweating and bright white facial complexion; or large pulse that is vacuous under pressure.

Rationale: Shí gāo is acrid, sweet and very cold; it not only clears and drains lung and stomach heat but can also resolve the flesh and outthrust heat (i.e., eliminate heat from the fleshy exterior). Zhī mǔ helps the Shí gāo to clear and drain lung and stomach heat; it is bitter and cold in nature, but being moist in substance, it does not pose the danger of causing dryness. Thus, these two agents stand in relationship of mutual need (相须 xiāng xū) and are highly effective in clearing heat and eliminating vexation. Rice and Gān cǎo boost the stomach and engender liquid, prevent the cold agents from damaging the stomach.

Variations:

• Clouded spirit, delirious speech, and spasm in high fever: Add Líng yáng jiǎo (羚羊角 Saigae Tataricae Cornu, antelope horn), Xī jiǎo (犀角 Rhinocerotis Cornu, rhinoceros horn), and Gōu téng (钩藤 Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis, uncaria [stem and thorn]).
• Alternating heat effusion and aversion to cold in which heat effusion is more pronounced than the aversion to cold: Add Chái hú (柴胡 Bupleuri Radix, bupleurum [root]) and Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]).
• High fever with thirst, sweating, constipation, and reddish urine: Add Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb) and Máng xiāo (芒硝 Natrii Sulfas , mirabilite).
• Counterflow ascent of stomach qì and glomus and oppression below the heart: Add Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) and Zhú rú (竹茹 Bambusae Caulis in Taenia, bamboo shavings).
• Dispersion-thirst with vexation and thirst and increased food intake with rapid hungering: Add Tiān huā fěn (天花粉 Trichosanthis Radix, trichosanthes root) and Shí hú (石斛 Dendrobii Herba, dendrobium).

Notes: White tiger is an allusion to gypsum; hǔ 虎, tiger, and the gāo 膏 of shí gāo 石膏 in the Hàn Dynasty were similar in pronunciation.

Back to previous page Search again