Back to previous page Search again ↑

Source: Wài Tái Mì Yào 外台秘要

Ingredients:

• Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]) 3–9g
• Huáng bǎi (黄柏 Phellodendri Cortex, phellodendron [bark]) 6–12g
• Zhī zǐ (栀子 Gardeniae Fructus, gardenia [fruit]) 6–12g
• Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]) 6–12g

Action: Drains fire and resolves toxin; clears heat and transforms dampness.

Indication: All types of evil fire and heat toxin causing vigorous heat effusion, vexation and agitation, and in some cases clouded spirit, and delirious speech. Tongue: Red with yellow fur. Pulse: Rapid and forceful. Also treats exuberant heat causing vomiting of blood and macular eruption, damp-heat jaundice, dysentery, and clove and other sores. Modern research shows that this formula can be used for septicemia, pyemia, and cellulitis manifesting as exuberant fire.

Category: Heat-clearing formulas / Heat-clearing toxin-resolving formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Huáng lián is the main agent because of its power to drain fire in both the heart and center burner. Huáng qín drains upper burner fire. Huáng bǎi drains lower burner fire. Zhī zǐ drains triple-burner fire, conducting downward and out of the body. Since all four agents are cold and bitter, the formula should only be used only in the absence of signs of damage to yīn such as bare crimson tongue.

Variations:

• Jaundice: Add Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb), Yīn chén (茵陈 Artemisiae Scopariae Herba, virgate wormwood), or liuyisan.
• Swelling and toxin of welling-abscess (yōng) and Dīng xiāng (丁香 Caryophylli Flos, clove) sores (dīng chuāng) or other sores: Add Jīn yín huā (金银花 Lonicerae Flos, lonicera [flower]), or combine this formula with wuweixiaoduyin.
• Blood heat with macules, vomiting of blood, or nosebleed (nǜ xuè) add Xuán shēn (玄参 Scrophulariae Radix, scrophularia [root]), Shú dì huáng (熟地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, cooked rehmannia [root]), Mǔ dān pí (牡丹皮 Moutan Cortex, moutan [bark]), and Bái máo gēn (白茅根 Imperatae Rhizoma, imperata [rhizome]).
• High fever: Add Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb).
• Dysentery with pus and blood in the stool and tenesmus: Add Mù xiāng (木香 Aucklandiae Radix, costusroot) and Bīng láng (槟榔 Arecae Semen, areca [nut]).
• Frequent urination, urinary urgency, and painful urination: Chē qián cǎo (车前草 Plantaginis Herba, plantago), Mù tōng (木通 Akebiae Trifoliatae Caulis, trifoliate akebia), and Fèng wěi cǎo (凤尾草 Pteridis Multifidi Herba, phoenix-tail fern) (fèng wěi cǎo).

Back to previous page Search again