Ingredient Animal — secretion (动物分泌物 dòng wù fēn mì wù)

Zhu Dan

Pig's bile · 猪胆

Sus scrofa domestica Brisson · Fel Suis

Also known as: Zhu Dan Zhi (猪胆汁)

Zhu Dan (Pig's bile) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Pig bile is a cold, bitter substance used in Chinese medicine to clear internal Heat, moisten dryness, and resolve toxins. It is best known for treating constipation due to fluid depletion, chronic cough and wheezing, sore throat, and red eyes. It has a long history in classical Chinese medicine, most famously appearing in Zhang Zhongjing's Shang Han Lun for both constipation management and as a critical ingredient in emergency formulas for severe Yang collapse.

Category Herbs that clear Heat and resolve Toxicity (清热解毒药) Phlegm-transforming herbs (化痰药)
Therapeutic focus Respiratory Health Digestive Health Eye Health and Vision Skin Health

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels entered

Liver, Gallbladder, Lungs, Large Intestine

Parts used

Animal — secretion (动物分泌物 dòng wù fēn mì wù)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Ingredient Does

Every ingredient has a specific set of actions — here's what Zhu Dan does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Zhu Dan is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Respiratory Health Digestive Health Eye Health and Vision Skin Health

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Zhu Dan performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Heat Moistens Dryness Resolves Toxicity Stops Cough and Calms Wheezing Moistens the Intestines and Unblocks the Bowels

How these actions work

'Clears Heat' refers to Zhū Dǎn's ability to cool down excessive internal Heat, particularly in the Liver, Gallbladder, and Lungs. Its bitter and cold nature makes it especially suited for febrile conditions where Heat has consumed body fluids, causing intense thirst and irritability. As Li Shizhen noted in the Běn Cǎo Gāng Mù, pig bile's cold nature overcomes Heat, and its bitter taste enters the Heart while also clearing Liver and Gallbladder Fire.

'Moistens Dryness' means this substance can restore moisture to tissues that have dried out due to Heat. This is particularly relevant in cases of dry, hard stools caused by depleted body fluids (as in the Shāng Hán Lùn's Yáng Míng pattern), as well as dry cough. Its slippery quality helps lubricate the intestines and other tissues that have been damaged by internal dryness.

'Resolves toxins' describes its ability to counteract inflammatory and infectious conditions, such as sore throat, red swollen eyes, boils, and skin infections like eczema. Modern research has confirmed it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

'Stops cough and calms wheezing' relates to its action on the Lung channel. Pig bile has a demonstrated ability to suppress the cough reflex and relax bronchial spasms, making it useful for chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, and asthma.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Zhu Dan is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Zhu Dan addresses this pattern

Zhū Dǎn's cold nature and its entry into the Lung channel make it directly suited to clear Heat lodged in the Lungs. Its bitter taste has a descending action that helps redirect Lung Qi downward (which is the Lung's normal direction), counteracting the rebellious upward movement that causes cough and wheezing. Its moistening quality also addresses the dryness that Lung Heat creates, which manifests as dry cough with sticky or scanty phlegm. Modern pharmacology has confirmed its bile acid content has bronchodilatory and antitussive effects.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Persistent cough with yellow or sticky phlegm

Wheezing

Wheezing and shortness of breath

Sore Throat

Red, swollen, painful throat

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Zhu Dan is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Intestinal Dryness

TCM Interpretation

TCM understands constipation not as a single disease but as a symptom with multiple root causes. The type Zhū Dǎn addresses best is 'Dryness constipation' (燥秘 zào mì), where excessive Heat has consumed the body's fluids, leaving the intestines parched and the stool rock-hard. This commonly occurs during feverish illnesses (as described in the Shāng Hán Lùn's Yáng Míng patterns), after prolonged sweating, or in elderly patients with fluid depletion. The Large Intestine, deprived of moisture, cannot move its contents forward.

Why Zhu Dan Helps

Zhū Dǎn's cold, bitter, and slippery nature makes it ideally suited for this type of constipation. It enters the Large Intestine channel directly, providing moisture and lubrication to dried-out bowel tissue. Unlike harsh purgatives (such as Dà Huáng), pig bile works by softening and lubricating rather than forcefully driving the bowels, making it safe for weakened patients who cannot tolerate strong purgation. The Shāng Hán Lùn specifically prescribes pig bile mixed with vinegar as a rectal preparation for patients whose body fluids are already depleted, stating that although the stool is hard, it 'cannot be attacked' with oral purgatives. The bile's cold nature also clears residual Heat that contributed to the drying in the first place.

Also commonly used for

Wheezing

Bronchial asthma and wheezing

Whooping Cough

Historically used for pertussis in children

Viral Conjunctivitis

Red, painful eyes, applied topically

Jaundice

Damp-Heat jaundice

Sore Throat

Acute sore throat from Heat toxins

Eczema

Applied externally for damp skin lesions

Chronic Otitis Media

Powdered pig bile with alum applied topically for suppurative ear infections

Hemorrhoids

Applied externally as a paste

Dysentery

Bacterial dysentery and acute gastroenteritis

Ingredient Properties

Every ingredient has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered

Liver Gallbladder Lungs Large Intestine

Parts Used

Animal — secretion (动物分泌物 dòng wù fēn mì wù)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Zhu Dan — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

3-6g (bile juice, taken dissolved or in decoction); 0.3-0.6g (dried powder/Zhu Dan Fen)

Maximum dosage

Do not exceed 6-9g of whole bile juice or 0.6g of dried powder (Zhu Dan Fen) per dose. Higher amounts risk gastrointestinal distress, liver injury, and potential organ toxicity.

Dosage notes

For internal use as bile juice: 3-6g per dose, dissolved in warm liquid or incorporated into pills and powders. For Zhu Dan Fen (dried powder, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard): 0.3-0.6g per dose, taken by mouth with warm water, or encapsulated. For external use: apply an appropriate amount topically as needed for eye drops, wound dressings, or rectal infusion. When used in classical formulas like Bai Tong Jia Zhu Dan Zhi Tang, approximately one he (roughly 20ml of fresh juice) is added to the strained decoction. For chronic bronchitis treatment, clinical studies used 0.5g of dried powder in capsules three times daily. Lower doses are appropriate for milder conditions or sensitive patients; do not increase dose without professional guidance.

Preparation

Fresh bile juice is typically added to the strained decoction after cooking (not boiled with the other herbs) to preserve its active components. In formulas like Bai Tong Jia Zhu Dan Zhi Tang from the Shang Han Lun, the bile juice and human urine are stirred into the finished decoction. For Zhu Dan Fen (dried powder), it is taken dissolved in warm water or encapsulated, not decocted. For external use, it can be applied directly or mixed with other powdered herbs.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same ingredient can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Zhu Dan does

Processing method

Fresh pig bile juice is collected, heated to concentrate, then oven-dried or sun-dried and ground into a fine yellow powder. The resulting powder is sealed and stored in a cool, dry place away from light.

How it changes properties

The thermal nature (cold) and taste (bitter) remain unchanged. Processing into powder makes the substance more stable for storage, easier to dose precisely (0.3-0.6g per dose vs. variable fresh bile volume), and more palatable when placed in capsules. The active bile acid content is preserved but concentrated.

When to use this form

Preferred for internal use as capsules or pills, especially for chronic conditions like bronchitis or asthma where precise, repeated dosing is needed. The powder form is also listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is the standardized medicinal product. Also used externally mixed with alum for ear infections.

Common Ingredient Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Zhu Dan for enhanced therapeutic effect

Lai Fu Zi
Lai Fu Zi Zhū Dǎn Zhī 6ml : Fù Zǐ 5g (as in Bái Tōng Jiā Zhū Dǎn Zhī Tāng)

Zhū Dǎn (cold, bitter) serves as a 'reverse envoy' (反佐 fǎn zuǒ) within Fù Zǐ's hot, Yang-rescuing formulas. When severe internal Cold causes the body to reject hot medicines (a condition called 'Yin-Yang rejection'), the small amount of cold pig bile prevents the hot herbs from being vomited back up, allowing them to reach the interior. This is one of the most famous examples of the 'reverse treatment' (从治 cóng zhì) strategy in Chinese medicine.

When to use: Critical Yang collapse with signs of rejection of hot medicines: persistent diarrhea, cold limbs, absent pulse, dry retching, and irritability (the Bái Tōng Jiā Zhū Dǎn Zhī Tāng pattern from the Shāng Hán Lùn).

Ban Xia
Ban Xia Bàn Xià 30g soaked in the juice of 3 pig gallbladders, dried and powdered

Pig bile's cold, bitter nature tempers Bàn Xià's warm, drying nature while enhancing phlegm transformation. The combination addresses Phlegm-Heat conditions where Bàn Xià alone would be too warm. The pig bile also reduces Bàn Xià's irritant properties. Together they stop cough, transform Phlegm, and calm convulsions.

When to use: Phlegm-Heat cough with thick yellow sputum, childhood convulsions with phlegm obstruction, or epilepsy-type conditions. Classically combined in Zhū Dǎn Bàn Xià Wán from the Xiǎo Ér Wèi Shēng Zǒng Wēi Lùn Fāng.

Huang Lian
Huang Lian 1:2 (Zhū Dǎn Zhī : Huáng Lián)

Both herbs are bitter and cold, creating a powerful Heat-clearing combination. Huáng Lián clears Heat from the Heart and Stomach through its bitter, drying action, while Zhū Dǎn adds a moistening, lubricating quality and a special affinity for the Gallbladder and Liver. Together they clear Damp-Heat and Phlegm-Heat from the Shào Yáng and Yáng Míng levels more effectively than either alone.

When to use: Alternating diarrhea and constipation with Gallbladder and Liver Heat, insomnia from Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart. Found in the Huáng Lián Huáng Qín Bàn Xià Zhū Dǎn Zhī Tāng from classical sources.

Feng Mi
Feng Mi Equal parts, decocted together for oral use

Pig bile clears Heat and moistens Dryness while honey (Fēng Mì) tonifies and lubricates the intestines with its sweet, neutral nature. Together they address Heat-type constipation from two angles: bile clears the Heat cause while honey gently lubricates and nourishes the depleted fluids.

When to use: Dry constipation with thirst and signs of fluid depletion, especially in elderly or debilitated patients. Recorded in the Sìchuān Zhōng Yào Zhì.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Xiong Huang
Zhu Dan vs Xiong Huang

Bear bile (Xióng Dǎn) and pig bile share bitter, cold properties and both clear Heat and resolve toxins. However, bear bile is far more potent, with stronger actions to clear Liver Heat, extinguish Wind, stop tremors, and brighten the eyes. It is classified as a premium medicinal and used for convulsions, epilepsy, and severe eye diseases. Pig bile is milder, more affordable, widely available, and has a stronger moistening and intestine-lubricating action. For common conditions like constipation, chronic bronchitis, and mild eye redness, pig bile is the practical choice. For severe Liver Wind with convulsions, bear bile (or its substitutes) would be preferred.

Zhu Dan
Zhu Dan vs Zhu Dan

Ox bile (Niú Dǎn) is also bitter and cold, clearing Heat and resolving toxins, but it has a stronger action on resolving Phlegm and calming the spirit. Ox gallstones (Niú Huáng) are a distinct and far more precious product. For cough and wheezing, pig bile has more clinical evidence and a more specific antitussive action. For jaundice and Liver-Gallbladder Heat, both are used, but pig bile is more readily available and commonly prescribed.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Zhu Dan

Pig bile (Zhu Dan) may be substituted with bile from other animals, which have overlapping but distinct chemical profiles and clinical actions. The Shang Han Lun itself notes that sheep bile (Yang Dan) can substitute for pig bile if the latter is unavailable. Bear bile (Xiong Dan) is a much more expensive and potent substance sometimes confused in discussions of animal biles, but it has different primary bile acids (ursodeoxycholic acid) and distinct indications. Cow bile (Niu Dan) and chicken bile (Ji Dan) are sometimes used as alternatives in folk medicine but have different compositions. Wild boar bile (Ye Zhu Dan, from Sus scrofa) has similar bile acid types to domestic pig bile but in different proportions. Commercially, pig bile powder (Zhu Dan Fen) may be adulterated with excessive starch fillers or bile from other species, which can be detected by HPLC analysis of hyodeoxycholic acid content.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any ingredient.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Zhu Dan

Slightly toxic

Pig bile contains bile salts, bile acids (chenodeoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid, hyodeoxycholic acid), histamine-like substances, and trace cyanide compounds. These components can damage cell membranes, impair liver and kidney function, and suppress the heart and nervous system at high doses. Documented cases of raw pig gallbladder ingestion have resulted in nausea, vomiting, jaundice, oliguria (reduced urine output), and acute liver and kidney failure requiring emergency treatment such as hemodialysis. One widely reported case involved a man who swallowed a whole raw pig gallbladder to self-treat a cough, developing progressive jaundice and organ failure within a week. Proper processing (heating, drying, and preparing into powder or pills) and strict dosage control are essential for safe use. The dried powder form (Zhu Dan Fen) at standard doses of 0.3-0.6g is much safer than consuming raw bile. Never consume raw, unprocessed pig bile internally.

Contraindications

Situations where Zhu Dan should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold (Pi Wei Xu Han). Zhu Dan is bitter and cold in nature and will further damage an already weakened digestive system, worsening diarrhea, abdominal pain, and poor appetite.

Avoid

Raw or unprocessed ingestion of whole pig gallbladder. Consuming raw pig bile has caused documented cases of severe liver and kidney failure, including fatalities. It must always be properly processed before medicinal use.

Avoid

Overdose beyond recommended amounts. The bile acids, bile salts, and trace cyanide compounds in pig bile are toxic at high doses, causing damage to the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, heart, and nervous system.

Avoid

Patients with pre-existing liver or kidney impairment. The bile acid components (chenodeoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid) are hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic at elevated levels and could worsen organ dysfunction.

Caution

Chronic diarrhea or loose stools due to cold-deficiency patterns. The cold, bitter, and lubricating nature of pig bile will aggravate diarrhea that is not caused by heat or dampness.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated during pregnancy. Pig bile is bitter and cold in nature, which can damage the Spleen and Stomach Qi needed to support pregnancy. The bile acid components (particularly chenodeoxycholic acid) have known hepatotoxic potential, and the effects of bile salts and trace cyanide on fetal development have not been adequately studied. There is no established safety profile for use during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Use with caution during breastfeeding. Pig bile is strongly bitter and cold, and bile acid components may transfer into breast milk, potentially causing gastrointestinal irritation or diarrhea in the nursing infant. There is no established safety data for use while breastfeeding. If clinically necessary, use the lowest effective dose under practitioner supervision and monitor the infant for any digestive disturbance.

Children

Pig bile has a long history of pediatric use, particularly for whooping cough (pertussis) and childhood malnutrition patterns (gan zheng). Dosage must be significantly reduced based on age and body weight. Classical pediatric dosing guidelines for pig bile powder: infants under 6 months, 0.2g per dose once or twice daily; 6 months to 1 year, 0.3g twice daily; 1-4 years, 0.4g twice daily; 4-7 years, 0.5-0.6g twice daily. The extremely bitter taste is difficult for children to tolerate, so it is typically mixed with sugar or honey, or formulated into pills. Use only processed forms (powder or pills), never raw bile. Should only be administered under professional guidance.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Zhu Dan

No well-documented pharmacological drug interactions have been established through rigorous clinical studies. However, based on the known pharmacological properties of pig bile's active compounds, the following theoretical interactions warrant caution:

  • Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications: Bile acids can affect fat-soluble vitamin absorption (including Vitamin K). Chronic use could theoretically alter Vitamin K status and affect the efficacy of warfarin or similar drugs.
  • Hepatotoxic medications: Because bile acids (particularly lithocholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid) can cause liver injury at elevated doses, concurrent use with other hepatotoxic drugs (acetaminophen/paracetamol at high doses, certain statins, methotrexate) should be approached cautiously to avoid additive liver stress.
  • Cardiac medications: Large doses of bile salts have been shown in animal studies to suppress cardiac function. Caution is advised with cardiac glycosides (digoxin) or antiarrhythmic drugs.
  • Cholesterol-lowering bile acid sequestrants: Drugs like cholestyramine bind bile acids and could reduce the effectiveness of Zhu Dan if taken concurrently.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Zhu Dan

Because Zhu Dan is bitter and cold, avoid consuming cold, raw, or greasy foods while taking it internally, as these can further burden the digestive system. Light, warm, easily digestible foods are preferable. Avoid alcohol, as it places additional stress on the liver and could compound the hepatotoxic risk of bile acids. If using Zhu Dan for respiratory conditions, also avoid excessively spicy or deep-fried foods that may generate further heat or phlegm.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Zhu Dan source animal

Zhu Dan (猪胆) is not a botanical product but an animal-derived medicinal substance. It is the gallbladder and its contained bile from the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica Brisson), family Suidae. The domestic pig is a stout, omnivorous mammal with a large head, elongated snout, small eyes, short limbs with cloven hooves, and a short tail with a tuft of hair at the end. Coat colour varies widely among breeds, including pure black, pure white, and mixed patterns. Pigs are raised throughout China and globally as livestock.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver. Fresh pig bile is a yellow-brown to yellow-green turbid liquid with a fatty, flocculent consistency and an extremely bitter taste. When dried, it becomes a yellow to grey-yellow powder with a faint fishy odour. The main chemical constituents include bile acids (primarily hyodeoxycholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, lithocholic acid, and hyocholic acid), bile pigments (bilirubin), mucin, lecithin, cholesterol, fatty acids, and various inorganic salts.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Zhu Dan is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Year-round, as pigs are slaughtered commercially throughout the year. The gallbladder is collected at the time of slaughter.

Primary growing regions

Zhu Dan is sourced from the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica), which is raised throughout all provinces and regions of China. There is no specific terroir (dao di yao cai) designation because pigs are universally farmed livestock. The quality of the bile depends more on the health, diet, and breed of the pig and on proper processing technique than on geographic origin.

Quality indicators

For dried whole gallbladder (Zhu Dan): the exterior membrane should be intact and semi-translucent, with the dried bile inside appearing dark greenish-brown to dark brown. For Zhu Dan Fen (pig bile powder, the pharmacopoeia-standard form): good quality powder is yellow to grey-yellow in colour, with a faint fishy smell and intensely bitter taste. It should be fine, uniform, and dry. It absorbs moisture easily, so any clumping or dampness indicates poor storage. The powder should dissolve readily in water. Avoid products with off-odours suggesting spoilage or bacterial contamination.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Zhu Dan and its therapeutic uses

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》, Li Shizhen, Ming Dynasty)

Chinese: 方家用猪胆，取其寒能胜热，滑能润燥，苦能入心，又能去肝胆之火也。

English: Physicians use pig bile because its cold nature can overcome heat, its slippery quality can moisten dryness, its bitter taste can enter the Heart, and it can also clear fire from the Liver and Gallbladder.

Ming Yi Bie Lu (《名医别录》, compiled circa 500 CE)

Chinese: 疗伤寒热渴。

English: It treats febrile disease with heat and thirst.

Shang Han Lun (《伤寒论》, Zhang Zhongjing)

Chinese: 大猪胆汁一枚，泻汁，和少许法醋，以灌谷道内，如一食顷，当大便出宿食恶物。

English: Take the juice of one large pig gallbladder, mix with a little vinegar, and administer as a rectal infusion. After the time it takes to eat a meal, the bowels will move, expelling retained food and foul matter. (Pig Bile Juice Rectal Infusion Method)

Ben Cao Tu Jing (《本草图经》, Su Song, Song Dynasty)

Chinese: 主骨热劳极，伤寒及渴疾，小儿五疳，杀虫。

English: It mainly treats bone-steaming heat with extreme exhaustion, febrile illness and thirst conditions, the five types of childhood malnutrition (gan), and kills parasites.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Zhu Dan's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Pig bile (Zhu Dan) has a long history of medicinal use in China. It was first recorded as a medicinal substance in the Ming Yi Bie Lu (《名医别录》), compiled around 500 CE, where it was noted for treating febrile disease with thirst. However, its most famous classical application comes from Zhang Zhongjing's Shang Han Lun (circa 200 CE), where pig bile juice appears in two critically important formulas: the Pig Bile Juice Rectal Infusion Method (猪胆汁导法) for severe constipation when fluids are internally depleted, and the White Scallion Decoction Plus Pig Bile Juice (白通加猪胆汁汤) for the dangerous Shaoyin pattern of incessant diarrhea with absent pulse and cold reversal. In the latter formula, pig bile serves a remarkable role: its bitter-cold nature is added to an otherwise strongly warming formula (containing raw Aconite and dried Ginger) to prevent the body from rejecting the hot medicine, allowing the formula to be absorbed rather than vomited up.

Li Shizhen, in the Ben Cao Gang Mu (1578 CE), summarized centuries of usage by noting that pig bile's value lies in its cold overcoming heat, its slippery quality moistening dryness, and its bitterness entering the Heart to clear Liver-Gallbladder fire. The commentary of Cheng Wuji (成无己), a Jin Dynasty Shang Han Lun scholar, provides extensive analysis of why Zhongjing paired pig bile juice with warming herbs, explaining the principle of guiding hot medicines with cold substances so they are not rejected by the body. Through the centuries, pig bile has been used both internally and externally for an extraordinary range of conditions from whooping cough and jaundice to eye diseases and hemorrhoids.