Chinese: 黄莲汤
Pinyin: Huáng Lián Tāng
Other names: Coptis Decoction
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that harmonize Stomach-Intestines
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: GastritisCholecystitisAllergic colitis and one other condition
- Regulates Cold and Heat
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Contraindications: This formula is indicated for vomiting, nausea, and stomach discomfort with a... This formula is indicated for vomiting, nausea, and stomach discomfort with a Heat above and Cold below presentation. This recipe will not work if the symptoms are caused by Qi Stagnation or food Stagnation. see more
Source date: 220 AD
Source book: Discussion of Cold Damage
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Huang Lian Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that harmonize Stomach-Intestines. Its main actions are: 1) regulates Cold and Heat and 2) harmonizes the Stomach.
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.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as gastritis, hyperacidic stomach or allergic colitis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seven ingredients in Huang Lian Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Huang Lian Tang helps treat.
The seven ingredients in Huang Lian Tang
Huang Lian is a king ingredient in Huang Lian Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLiverSpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
In general Huang Lian's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites"
In the context of Huang Lian Tang, it is used because it is bitter and cold. It drains the Excessive Heat from the chest and harmonizes the Stomach.
Gan Jiang is a deputy ingredient in Huang Lian Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)
Gan Jiang is acrid, warm and dispersing herb which expel Cold from the lower body to stop pain. It also excels at warming the Spleen.
Gui Zhi is a deputy ingredient in Huang Lian Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi)
Gui Zhi is acrid, warm and dispersing herb which expel Cold from the lower body to stop pain. It also enters the nutritive Qi to remove Stagnation and harmonize its interaction with the Protective Yang.
Ban Xia is a deputy ingredient in Huang Lian Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Part used: Dried rhizome and tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Ban Xia is acrid and warm. It plalys a role of harmonizing the Stomach by directing Rebellious Qi downward to stop nausea and vomiting. It also expands the chest and removes Stagnation to reduce focal distention.
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Huang Lian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao augments the Qi and strengthen the Spleen, assisting the Middle Burner to maintain its normal functions along with other assistants. Also serving as the envoy, it has the additional task of harmonizing the opposing flavors and actions unfolded by the various herbs in this formula.
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Huang Lian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Ren Shen augments the Qi and strengthen the Spleen, assisting the Middle Burner to maintain its normal functions.
Da Zao is an assistant ingredient in Huang Lian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Jujube Dates (Da Zao)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Da Zao augments the Qi and strengthen the Spleen, assisting the Middle Burner to maintain its normal functions.
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