Formula Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity

Liang Ge San

凉膈散

Also known as:

Cool the Diaphragm Powder

Formula Composition

Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao
Da Huang
Da Huang
Mang Xiao
Mang Xiao
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Bo He
Bo He
Dan Zhu Ye
Dan Zhu Ye
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Drains Fire
  2. Unblocks the bowels by clearing the Upper Burner
  3. Draining the Middle Burner

Patterns Treated

Heart Fire blazing

Historical Origin

Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era (1107 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Liang Ge San

Main Actions

Drains Fire
Unblocks the bowels by clearing the Upper Burner
Draining the Middle Burner

Key TCM Concepts

Liang Ge San is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity. Its main actions are: 1) drains Fire and 2) unblocks the bowels by clearing the Upper Burner.

 

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 Liang Ge San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Fire blazing. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as pharyngitis, stomatitis or biliary tract infections for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Heart Fire blazing

Common Applications

Pharyngitis Stomatitis Biliary tract infections Conjunctivitis Lobar pneumonia Epilepsy Chronic renal failure Tonsillitis Acute icteric hepatitis Multiple furuncles

Ingredients in Liang Ge San

Detailed information about each herb in Liang Ge San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao

Forsythia fruits

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried fruit
Role in Liang Ge San
Lian Qiao clears Heat and resolving Toxicity. It enters the Heart channel to disperse pathogenic Heat, eliminates all types of Heat from the Upper Burner, and is a specific herb for treating sores.
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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 Liang Ge San
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 Liang Ge San, it is used because it opens the bowel to flush Heat from the Middle Burner.
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Mang Xiao
Mang Xiao

Mirabilites

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Salty
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine
Parts Used The rock crushed as a powder
Role in Liang Ge San
In general Mang Xiao's main actions are as follows: "Purges Stagnation in the Intestines caused by Heat and Dryness, Cools Heat and abates swelling"

In the context of Liang Ge San, it is used because it opens the bowel to flush Heat from the Middle Burner.
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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 Liang Ge San
Huang Qin drains stagnant Heat from the Lungs and clears constrained Heat from the Diaphragm. It focus on the Upper and Middle Burners.
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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 Liang Ge San
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 Liang Ge San, it is used because it clears Heat from all three Burners through the urine and guides Fire out from below.
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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 Liang Ge San
Bo He is light in nature. It serves as assistant that calms irritability and alleviates the attendant head and throat symptoms by moving the Protective Qi and venting Heat from the Exterior.
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Dan Zhu Ye
Dan Zhu Ye

Lophatherum herbs

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Small Intestine, Stomach
Parts Used Dried stem and leaf
Role in Liang Ge San
Dan Zhu Ye is light in nature. It serves as assistant that calms irritability and alleviates the attendant head and throat symptoms by moving the Protective Qi and venting Heat from the Exterior.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Liang Ge San
Gan Cao along with small amount of honey, acts as envoys that moderate and harmonize the fierce action of Rhubarb and Mirabilit. It also protects the Stomach and preventing the abdominal pain that sometimes accompanies the use of purgative herbs.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Liang Ge San

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

Contraindications

The use of this formula can readily injure the Spleen and Stomach Qi. The dosage of Rhubarb and Mirabilite should therefore be reduced or omitted altogether once the constipation has been alleviated, or with the appearance of mild abdominal pain, pus in the stool, and fatigue. This formula is appropriate only for conditions of Heat Excess in the Upper and Middle burners and is contraindicated during pregnancy and for patients who are very weak.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Liang Ge San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.