Back to previous page
Search in formulas

Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction

龙胆泻肝汤 〔龍膽瀉肝湯〕lóng dǎn xiè gān tāng

Source: Yī Zōng Jīn Jiàn 医宗金鉴

Ingredients:

Action: Drains liver and gallbladder fire; clears heat and disinhibits dampness.

Indication: (a) Liver-gallbladder repletion heat characterized by headache, red eyes, bitter taste in the mouth, rib-side pain, painful swelling of the ears and deafness. (b) Damp-heat pouring downward, manifesting as strangury, swelling of the scrotum, genital itch, or vaginal discharge.

Category: Heat-clearing formulas / Bowel and visceral heat-clearing formula

Method: Decoct with water.

Warnings: This formula contains cold bitter agents that easily damage the stomach. It is contraindicated in spleen-stomach vacuity, thin sloppy stool, long voidings of clear urine, and a forceless fine pulse. It is unsuitable for prolonged use.

Rationale: Lóng dǎn, Huáng lián, and Zhī zǐ drain liver-gallbladder repletion fire and eliminate lower-burner damp-heat. Mù tōng, Zé xiè, and Chē qián zǐ clear and disinhibit lower-burner damp-heat, conducting it out with the urine. Dāng guī works with Shēng dì huáng to nourish the blood and boost yīn, preventing damage to liver yīn. Chái hú is added to course the liver and gallbladder, any damage it might cause to liver yīn being prevented by the Gān cǎo.

Variations:

Back to previous page
Help us to improve our content
You found an error? Send us a feedback