Formula Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores

San Zhong Kui Jian Tang

散肿溃坚汤

Also known as:

Decoction to Disperse Swelling and Ulcerate What is Hard

Formula Composition

Huang Bo
Huang Bo
Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu
Long Dan Cao
Long Dan Cao
Huang Lian
Huang Lian
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Kun Bu
Kun Bu
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao
Tian Hua Fen
Tian Hua Fen
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
San Leng
San Leng
E zhu
E zhu
Ge Gen
Ge Gen
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Sheng Ma
Sheng Ma
Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
  2. Reduces swelling
  3. Induces ulceration
  4. Moves the Blood and dispels stasis

Patterns Treated

Blood Stagnation, Toxic-Heat

Historical Origin

Secrets from the Orchid Chamber (1336 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of San Zhong Kui Jian Tang

Main Actions

Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
Reduces swelling
Induces ulceration
Moves the Blood and dispels stasis

Key TCM Concepts

San Zhong Kui Jian Tang is a 17-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bo), Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu), Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao), Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) and Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1336 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear external abscesses and sores. Its main actions are: 1) clears Heat and resolves Toxicity and 2) reduces swelling.

 

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 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood Stagnation or Toxic-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as goiter, scrofula or lymphadenitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Blood Stagnation
  • Toxic-Heat

Common Applications

Goiter Scrofula Lymphadenitis Tubercular lymph nodes Neck tumors Shoulder tumors Underarm tumors Hyperthyroidism

Ingredients in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang

Detailed information about each herb in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Huang Bo
Huang Bo

Phellodendron bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried bark
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Huang Bo clears Toxic-Heat. It addresses the accumulated Heat that occurs at the areaof the tumor and also the Heat of specific Organs that are the root cause of the tumor.
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Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu

Anemarrhena rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Zhi Mu clears Heat while also protecting Yin that is susceptible to damage from the Heataccumulation and the bitter, drying herbs in the formula. The combination of Anemarrhena rhizome, Platycodon root and Snake gourd root is very effect in performing this task. It, together with the other bitter and downward herbs, also directs Fire to descend and cease its attack on the upper body, and sweeps Phlegm-Heat downward.
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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 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Long Dan Cao clears Toxic-Heat. It addresses the accumulated Heat that occurs at the areaof the tumor and also the Heat of specific Organs that are the root cause of the tumor.
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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 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Huang Lian clears Toxic-Heat. It addresses the accumulated Heat that occurs at the areaof the tumor and also the Heat of specific Organs that are the root cause of the tumor.
View herb details
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 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Huang Qin clears Toxic-Heat. It addresses the accumulated Heat that occurs at the areaof the tumor and also the Heat of specific Organs that are the root cause of the tumor.
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Kun Bu
Kun Bu

Kombu

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Stomach
Parts Used Dried thalline
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
In general Kun Bu's main actions are as follows: "Softens hardness, Cools Hot phlegm. Encourages urination and clears edema."

In the context of San Zhong Kui Jian Tang, it is used because it is salty, transforms Phlegm and softens hardness.
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Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao

Forsythia fruits

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried fruit
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
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 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang, it is used because it clears Toxic-Heat and thrusts pus out.
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Tian Hua Fen
Tian Hua Fen

Snake gourd roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Tian Hua Fen clears Heat while also protecting Yin that is susceptible to damage from the Heataccumulation and the bitter, drying herbs in the formula. The combination of Anemarrhena rhizome, Platycodon root and Snake gourd root is very effect in performing this task. It also clear Toxic-Heat and thrusts pus out. It has the ability to guide out the Qi of swellings.
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Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Jie Geng clears Heat while also protecting Yin that is susceptible to damage from the Heataccumulation and the bitter, drying herbs in the formula. The combination of Anemarrhena rhizome, Platycodon root and Snake gourd root is very effect in performing this task.
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San Leng
San Leng

Common burreed tubers

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Liver
Parts Used The tuber or rhizome
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
San Leng invigorates the Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. It thus aids in dispersal of the hard swellings. The combination of Common burreed tuber and Zedoary rhizome should only be used when the swellings are very hard. Otherwise, they should not be used.
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E zhu
E zhu

Zedoary rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Liver
Parts Used Rhizoma
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
E zhu invigorates the Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. It thus aids in dispersal of the hard swellings. The combination of Common burreed tuber and Zedoary rhizome should only be used when the swellings are very hard. Otherwise, they should not be used.
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Ge Gen
Ge Gen

Kudzu roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
In general Ge Gen's main actions are as follows: "Relieves muscle tension especially in the neck and shoulders. Relieves the Exterior and scatters Wind. Supports the Fluids and eases thirst. Assists in the expression of measles. Relieves diarrhea. Relieves hypertension."

In the context of San Zhong Kui Jian Tang, it is used because it guide the herbs to the upper body and pertain to the foot Yang Brightness Channel.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Bai Shao softens the Liver and nourishes the Blood, thus helping Dong quai to protect the body's Blood Yin. By softening the Liver, it also addresses Liver fire, which is often a contributing factor or main cause of the types of swellings this formula treats.
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Sheng Ma
Sheng Ma

Bugbane rhizomes

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
In general Sheng Ma's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior, scatters Wind and clears Heat. Allows the release of toxicity from the skin and clears Heat. Raises the Yang associated with Middle Qi Deficiency. Directs herbs upwards. Cools the Blood."

In the context of San Zhong Kui Jian Tang, it is used because it guide the herbs to the upper body and pertain to the foot Yang Brightness Channel.
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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 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
In general Chai Hu's main actions are as follows: "Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang."

In the context of San Zhong Kui Jian Tang, it is used because it addresses the sores that are along the Lesser Yang Channels.
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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 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Dang Gui invigorates the Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. It thus aids in dispersal of the hard swellings. However, its effect is much softer than the combination of Common burreed tuber and Zedoary rhizome of this formula. Thus it can be used for patients with weak constitution. It also harmonizes and nourishes the Blood. This function is crucial to preventing the long-standing Heat disorder and bitter, drying herbs from wearing away theYin-Blood. Please note that the Dong quai tail should be used in this formula to enhance the Blood invigoration effect.
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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 San Zhong Kui Jian 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 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the formula, drains Fire, augments the Stomach qi, and also dispels sore toxins.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for San Zhong Kui Jian Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula contains several bitter, drying, and dispersing herbs. Care must be taken to protect the patient's Yin Fluids and Qi. Elderly and debilitated patients may require simultaneous or intermittent tonification when this formula is used.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, San Zhong Kui Jian 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.