Formula Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness

Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan

甘露消毒丹

Also known as:

Sweet Dew Special Pill to Eliminate Toxin

Formula Composition

Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Hua Shi
Hua Shi
Yin Chen
Yin Chen
Huo Xiang
Huo Xiang
Shi Chang Pu
Shi Chang Pu
Bai Dou Kou
Bai Dou Kou
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao
She Gan
She Gan
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu
Mu Tong
Mu Tong
Bo He
Bo He
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Resolves Dampness and transforms turbidity
  2. Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity

Patterns Treated

Damp-Heat, Toxic-Heat

Historical Origin

Secretly Transmitted Effective Medicine (1831 AD )

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan

Main Actions

Resolves Dampness and transforms turbidity
Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity

Key TCM Concepts

Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin), Talc (Hua Shi) and Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1831 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness. Its main actions are: 1) resolves Dampness and transforms turbidity and 2) clears Heat and resolves Toxicity .

 

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 Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Damp-Heat or Toxic-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as acute gastroenteritis, enteric fever or typhoid for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Damp-Heat
  • Toxic-Heat

Common Applications

Acute gastroenteritis Enteric fever Typhoid Mild leptospirosis Infectious hepatitis Cholecystitis Pyelonephritis Allergic purpura Viral myocarditis Parotitis

Ingredients in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan

Detailed information about each herb in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
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 Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Huang Qin drains Heat and facilitates the resolution of Dampness. It actson the Lower Burners, so that Qi can flow freely and the Damp-Heat has an avenue by which to exit the body. It also clears Heat and resolves toxicity.
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Hua Shi
Hua Shi

Talc

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Hua Shi drains Heat and facilitates the resolution of Dampness. It actson the Upper Burners, so that Qi can flow freely. It also treats jaundice.
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Yin Chen
Yin Chen

Virgate wormwood

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Yin Chen drains Heat and facilitates the resolution of Dampness. It actson the Middle Burners, so that Qi can flow freely. It also treats jaundice.
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Huo Xiang
Huo Xiang

Korean mint

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Huo Xiang is fragrant, aromatic, acrid and warming. It transforms Dampness and invigorate Qi. When the Middle Burner is obstructed by the thick, cloying properties of Dampness, aromatic herbs need to be used to eliminate the turbidity and revive the Spleen.
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Shi Chang Pu
Shi Chang Pu

Sweetflag rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Stomach, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Shi Chang Pu is fragrant, aromatic, acrid and warming. It transforms Dampness and invigorate Qi. When the Middle Burner is obstructed by the thick, cloying properties of Dampness, aromatic herbs need to be used to eliminate the turbidity and revive the Spleen.
View herb details
Bai Dou Kou
Bai Dou Kou

Cardamon fruits

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Fruits
Role in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Bai Dou Kou is fragrant, aromatic, acrid and warming. It transforms Dampness and invigorate Qi. When the Middle Burner is obstructed by the thick, cloying properties of Dampness, aromatic herbs need to be used to eliminate the turbidity and revive the Spleen.
View herb details
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao

Forsythia fruits

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried fruit
Role in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
In general Lian Qiao's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and toxicity from the Blood. Dispels External Wind-Heat. Reduces lumps, swollen lymph nodes and sores of a Heated nature."

In the context of Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, it is used because it clears Toxic-Heat, facilitating the functions of Baikal skullcap root.
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She Gan
She Gan

Blackberry Lily rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used The rhizome
Role in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
In general She Gan's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat. Detoxifies Fire poison especially for sore throat. Resolves Phlegm and lowers Lung Qi "

In the context of Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, it is used because it clears and improves the condition of the throat.
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Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu

Sichuan Fritillary bulbs

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dried bulb
Role in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Chuan Bei Mu clears up-flaring Fire from the Lung Channel and collaterals and assists Blackberry Lily rhizome in clearing the throat.
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Mu Tong
Mu Tong

Akebia stems

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried stem
Role in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Mu Tong clears Heat and facilitates the resolution of Dampness, assisting Talc and Virgate wormwood in guiding Damp-Heat out though the urine.
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Bo He
Bo He

Wild mint

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Bo He is acrid and cooling. Its light and floating nature focuses the action of the assistants on the throat, while aiding the key and deputies in invigorating the Qi.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for patients with significant underlying Yin Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.