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Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (龍膽瀉肝湯) drains excess fire from the Liver and Gall Bladder and clears damp-heat from the lower burner, while protecting the yin and blood.
English Name
Gentian Decoction to Drain the Liver
Classical Source
Yi Fang Ji Jie (Analytic Collection of Medical Formulas), 1682
Ingredients
- Long Dan Cao – chief
- Huang Qin, Zhi Zi, Ze Xie, Mu Tong, Che Qian Zi (clear/drain)
- Sheng Di, Dang Gui, Chai Hu, Gan Cao (protect/guide)
Actions & Functions
- Drains Liver and Gall Bladder fire
- Clears damp-heat from the lower burner
Indications
Liver/GB fire: headache, red eyes, bitter taste, irritability, hypochondriac pain; and lower-burner damp-heat with foul vaginal discharge, genital itching/swelling, painful urination.
Tongue & Pulse
Tongue: red with a yellow (greasy) coat. Pulse: wiry, rapid and forceful.
Modifications
Use Mu Tong (Chuan Mu Tong) only – never Aristolochia. With severe damp-heat, increase Che Qian Zi and Ze Xie.
Cautions & Contraindications
Very cold and draining; use briefly and with care in Spleen-Stomach deficiency and pregnancy.
