Formula Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs

Dang Gui Long Hui Wan

当归龙荟丸

Also known as:

Angelica Gentiana Aloe Pill , Tangkuei Gentian and Aloe Pill , Dragon Brain Pill , Dong quai Gentian Aloe Pill

Formula Composition

Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Long Dan Cao
Long Dan Cao
Lu Hui
Lu Hui
Qing Dai
Qing Dai
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Huang Lian
Huang Lian
Huang Bo
Huang Bo
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Da Huang
Da Huang
Mu Xiang
Mu Xiang
She Xiang
She Xiang
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Drains Liver and Gallbladder Fire Excess

Patterns Treated

Liver Fire Blazing

Historical Origin

Formulas from the Discussion Illuminating the Yellow Emperor's Basic Questions (1172 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Dang Gui Long Hui Wan

Main Actions

Drains Liver and Gallbladder Fire Excess

Key TCM Concepts

Dang Gui Long Hui Wan is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Dong Quai (Dang Gui) and Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1172 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from the Organs. Its main action is that it drains Liver and Gallbladder Fire Excess.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Dang Gui Long Hui Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Fire Blazing. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as vertigo, tinnitus or hearing loss for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Liver Fire Blazing

Common Applications

Vertigo Tinnitus Hearing loss Pharyngitis Psychosis Epilepsy

Ingredients in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan and their roles

Kings
Assistants
Envoys
Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Dang Gui softens the Liver by tonifying its Blood. This is important because only a Liver whose Blood is strong and mobile can ensure the smooth flow of Qi (one of the Liver's key functions).
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Long Dan Cao
Long Dan Cao

Chinese Gentian

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
In general Long Dan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Clears Liver-Fire. Clears Liver-Wind."

In the context of Dang Gui Long Hui Wan, it is used because it is bitter and very cold and therefore has a strong capacity to drain Fire.
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Lu Hui
Lu Hui

Aloe vera

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Liver
Parts Used Concentrated dry product of leaf juice
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
In general Lu Hui's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat. Cools the Liver and clears Heat in the Liver. Eases constipation and kills parasites."

In the context of Dang Gui Long Hui Wan, it is used because it drains Fire from the Liver.
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Qing Dai
Qing Dai

Natural indigo

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Stomach, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried powder or mass prepared from the leaf and/or the stem
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
In general Qing Dai's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat, resolves Fire toxicity and cools the Blood. Disperses Stagnation and reduces swelling. Drains Liver Fire, dispels Summer-Heat and extinguishes Wind to stop tremors."

In the context of Dang Gui Long Hui Wan, it is used because it drains Fire from the Liver.
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Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi

Cape jasmine fruits

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Lungs, Sanjiao, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
In general Zhi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory."

In the context of Dang Gui Long Hui Wan, it is used because it drains Fire from the Triple Burner.
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Huang Lian
Huang Lian

Goldthread rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
In general Huang Lian's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites"

In the context of Dang Gui Long Hui Wan, it is used because it drains Fire from the Heart.
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Huang Bo
Huang Bo

Phellodendron bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried bark
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
In general Huang Bo's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner. Clears Kidney Yin Deficient Heat. Applied externally or toxic Fire, especially associated with Dampness."
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Huang Qin
Huang Qin

Baikal skullcap roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Lungs, Small Intestine, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
In general Huang Qin's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome."

In the context of Dang Gui Long Hui Wan, it is used because it drains Fire from the Lungs.
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Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
In general Da Huang's main actions are as follows: "Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis."

In the context of Dang Gui Long Hui Wan, it is used because it drains Fire from the Yang Brightness and eliminates clumping.
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Mu Xiang
Mu Xiang

Costus roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Mu Xiang ensures that the bitter nature of the formula does not lead to a breakdown of the Qi dynamic; it adds regulation of the Qi to the draining of Fire.
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She Xiang
She Xiang

Musk

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Musk gland of the deer
Role in Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
She Xiang ensures that the bitter nature of the formula does not lead to a breakdown of the Qi dynamic; it adds regulation of the Qi to the draining of Fire.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Dang Gui Long Hui Wan

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Contraindicated in cases of Spleen Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Dang Gui Long Hui Wan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.