Formula Formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind

Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang

Líng Jiǎo Gǒu Téng Tāng

Also known as:

Antelope Horn and Uncaria Decoction , Gastrodia and Uncaria Combination , Cornu Antelopis Uncaria Decoction.

Formula Composition

Ling Yang Jiao
Ling Yang Jiao
Gou Teng
Gou Teng
Sang Ye
Sang Ye
Ju Hua
Ju Hua
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Di Huang
Di Huang
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu
Zhu Ru
Zhu Ru
Fu Shen
Fu Shen
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Cools the Liver
  2. Extinguishes Wind
  3. Increases Fluids
  4. Relaxes the sinews

Patterns Treated

Liver Yang Rising, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire, Heat victorious stirring Wind, Interior Wind

Historical Origin

Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold Damage (Qing dynasty)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang

Main Actions

Cools the Liver
Extinguishes Wind
Increases Fluids
Relaxes the sinews

Key TCM Concepts

Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Saiga Antelope's Horns (Ling Yang Jiao) and Gambir Stems And Thorns (Gou Teng) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in Qing dynasty, it belongs to the category of formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind. Its main actions are: 1) cools the Liver and 2) extinguishes Wind.

 

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 Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Yang Rising, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat or Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as encephalitis, meningitis or dysentery for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Liver Yang Rising
  • Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
  • Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
  • Heat victorious stirring Wind
  • Interior Wind

Common Applications

Encephalitis Meningitis Dysentery Pneumonia Cerebrovascular disease Eclampsia

Ingredients in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Ling Yang Jiao
Ling Yang Jiao

Saiga antelope's horns

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used The horn
Role in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Ling Yang Jiao enters the Liver and Heart channels where it pacifies the Liver, extinguishes Wind, and clears Heat.
View herb details
Gou Teng
Gou Teng

Gambir stems and thorns

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried stems and thorns from the branches
Role in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Gou Teng restores the proper relationship between the Pericardium (Fire in the Five-Phases Theory) and the Liver (Wood) which helps extinguish Internal Wind.
View herb details
Sang Ye
Sang Ye

Mulberry leaves

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried leaves
Role in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
In general Sang Ye's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and clears Heat. Clears Heat in the Lung with associated Dryness. Clears the Liver for either Wind-Heat or Yin Deficient Heat. Cools the Blood."

In the context of Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, it is used because it dispels Wind and clears Heat from the Liver and Lungs.
View herb details
Ju Hua
Ju Hua

Chrysanthemum flowers

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried capitulum
Role in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
In general Ju Hua's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and clears Heat. Relieves Wind-Heat from the Liver channel and clears the eyes. Cools Heat of the Liver and Kidney due to Yin Deficiency. Relieves patterns of Liver Yang rising."

In the context of Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, it is used because it dispels Wind and clears Heat from the Liver and Lungs.
View herb details
Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."

In the context of Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Yin and increases the Fluids and thereby softens the Liver and relaxes the sinews.
View herb details
Di Huang
Di Huang

Unprepared Rehmannia

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
In general Sheng Di Huang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes."

In the context of Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Yin and increases the Fluids and thereby softens the Liver and relaxes the sinews.
View herb details
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu

Sichuan Fritillary bulbs

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dried bulb
Role in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
In general Chuan Bei Mu's main actions are as follows: "Clears Hot Phlegm and stops cough. Clears Lung Heat caused by Yin Deficiency. Clears Heat and reduces hard lumps and swellings."

In the context of Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, it is used because it clears Heat and transforms Phlegm.
View herb details
Zhu Ru
Zhu Ru

Bamboo shavings

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried middle shavings
Role in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
In general Zhu Ru's main actions are as follows: "Clears Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs. Clears Heat in the Stomach and stops vomiting. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding."

In the context of Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, it is used because it clears Heat and transforms Phlegm.
View herb details
Fu Shen
Fu Shen

Host-wood Poria

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart
Parts Used The part of the mushroom that is attached to the host-wood, dried
Role in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
In general Fu Shen's main actions are as follows: "Calms the Mind (Shen) and promote urination."

In the context of Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, it is used because it addresses the irritability and restlessness caused by Heat harassing the Mind.
View herb details
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, it is used because it regulates and harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang

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 wind due to Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.