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Source: Dān Xī Xīn Fǎ 丹溪心法

Alternate Chinese names: 萸连丸

Ingredients:

• Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]) 18g
• Wú zhū yú (吴茱萸 Evodiae Fructus, evodia [fruit]) 3g

Action: Drains fire and downbears counterflow.

Indication: Liver fire and stomach heat manifesting as bitter taste in the mouth and rib-side pain, acid vomiting, nausea, and clamoring stomach. Tongue: Red with yellow fur. Pulse: Stringlike and rapid.

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

Method: Can also be prepared in decoction form.

Dosage: 2–3g 2–3 times a day.

Rationale: In this formula Huáng lián clears heart fire, thus addressing the liver depression transforming into fire by draining the child. Wú zhū yú is acrid and hot, but with large amounts of Huáng lián its nature is counterbalanced, while preserving its effect of coursing the liver and resolving depression, and of downbearing counterflow and checking vomiting.

Variations:

• Stomach heat with vomiting: Add Zhú rú (竹茹 Bambusae Caulis in Taenia, bamboo shavings) and Fǎ bàn xià (法半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum, pro formula pinellia [rhizome]).
• Pronounced rib-side pain and abdominal distension: Combine with chaihushugansan and variants.
• Chronic gastritis: Combine with sinisan and variants.

Notes: This formula is so called because it clears heart fire and assists (左/佐 zuǒ) metal (金 jīn) to counteract the liver, which is said to live on the left (左 zuǒ). An alternative translation would be Metal-Assisting Pill.

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