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Source: Pí Wèi Lùn 脾胃论

Ingredients:

• Huáng lián (黄连 Coptidis Rhizoma, coptis [root]) 3–6g
• Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica) 6–12g
• Dì huáng (地黄 Rehmanniae Radix, rehmannia [root]) 6–12g
• Dān pí (丹皮 Moutan Cortex, moutan [bark]) 6–9g
• Shēng má (升麻 Cimicifugae Rhizoma, cimicifuga [root]) 3–6g

Action: Clears the stomach and cools the blood.

Indication: Stomach fire attacking upward manifesting as toothache that is relieved by cold and exacerbated by heat with pain radiating into the head, or as swelling and ulceration of the gums, or as gaping gums. In any case, there is fetid mouth odor, and thirst with large fluid intake. Tongue: Red with yellow fur. Pulse: Rapid.

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

Method: Now usually prepared in decoction form.

Warnings: Unsuitable for wind-cold toothache, swollen gums due to kidney vacuity fire flaming upward, or for bleeding gaping gums.

Rationale: Huáng lián is cold and bitter, and directly addresses the stomach fire. It is therefore the sovereign agent. Shēng dì huáng and Mǔ dān pí clear heat and nourish yīn, cool the blood and stanch bleeding. They are the support. Dāng guī, which nourishes the blood, disperses swelling, and relieves pain, is the assistant. Shēng má, which disperses fire and resolves toxin, is the courier. One version of the formula includes Shí gāo, which enhances the stomach-clearing action.

Variations:

• Severe stomach fire: Add Shí gāo (石膏 Gypsum Fibrosum, gypsum) and Zhī mǔ (知母 Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, anemarrhena [root]).
• Constipation: Add Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb) and Máng xiāo (芒硝 Natrii Sulfas , mirabilite).

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