Formula Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

龙胆泻肝汤

Also known as:

Gentian Decoction to Drain the Liver , Gentiana Combination

Formula Composition

Long Dan Cao
Long Dan Cao
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Mu Tong
Mu Tong
Che Qian Zi
Che Qian Zi
Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Di Huang
Di Huang
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
  2. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner

Patterns Treated

Damp-Heat in the Liver, Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire, Liver Fire Blazing, Liver Fire insulting the Lungs, Damp-Heat, Heat in the Blood, Toxic-Heat, Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel, Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder

Historical Origin

Medical Formulas Collected and Analyzed (1682 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Main Actions

Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner

Key TCM Concepts

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1682 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from the Organs. Its main actions are: 1) clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder and 2) clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower 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 Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Damp-Heat in the Liver, Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire or Liver Fire Blazing. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as spontaneous flow of breast milk, abnormal vaginal discharge or early menstruation for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Damp-Heat in the Liver
  • Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
  • Liver Fire Blazing
  • Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
  • Damp-Heat
  • Heat in the Blood
  • Toxic-Heat
  • Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel
  • Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder

Common Applications

Spontaneous flow of breast milk Abnormal vaginal discharge Early menstruation Abnormal uterine bleeding Vaginal itching Furuncles Purulent otitis Rhinitis Acute viral hepatitis Acute cholecystitis Acute pyelonephristis Acute cystitis Vulvitis Orchitis Pelvic inflammatory disease Herpes zoster Eczema Conjunctivitis Retinal haemorrhage Haemorrhagic glaucoma Hyperthyroid Cushing's syndrome Adrenal cortex hyperpalsia Polycystic ovaries

Ingredients in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
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 Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Long Dan Cao it is extremely effective at draining Excessive Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder and eliminating Damp-Heat from the Lower-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 Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Huang Qin works together with Cape Jasmine fruits (Zhi Zi), another deputy in this formula, to assist the key herb (Chinese Gentian) in draining the Fire and eliminating the Dampness.
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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 Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
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."
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Chai Hu
Chai Hu

Bupleurum roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Chai Hu disperses Heat caused by stagnating Liver and Gallbladder Qi. It also focuses the actions of the formula's other herbs on the Liver and Gallbladder channels.
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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 Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Mu Tong works together with Plantain seeds (Che Qian Zi) and Water plantain (Ze Xie), other assistant herbs in this formula, to drain Heat from the Upper Burner and eliminate Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner by promoting urination. This provides a pathway to drain Liver Fire. Because the Liver stores the Blood, Heat in the Liver Meridian can readily injure the Yin and Blood.
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Che Qian Zi
Che Qian Zi

Plantain seeds

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
In general Che Qian Zi's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and clears Heat. Stops diarrhea by expelling water through urination. Brightens the eyes, used in combination either for Deficiency or Heat. Reduces inflammation of infections. Arrests cough and expectorates Phlegm."
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Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
In general Ze Xie's main actions are as follows: "Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat"
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Di Huang
Di Huang

Unprepared Rehmannia

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Long Dan Xie Gan 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 Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, it is used because it supplements the Yin to counteract the effect of the bitter, drying herbs in the formula.
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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Dang Gui nourishes the Blood without causing Stagnation to counteract the effect of the bitter, drying herbs in the formula.
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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 Long Dan Xie Gan 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 Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the Middle Burner and regulate the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for long term use or in large doses, nor in cases of Spleen Deficiency or injury to the Fluids, because this formula can harm the Spleen.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Long Dan Xie Gan 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.