Chinese: 龙胆泻肝汤
Pinyin: Lóng Dǎn Xiè Gān Tāng
Other names: Gentian Decoction to Drain the Liver, Gentiana Combination
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: EczemaRhinitisVulvitis and twenty one other conditions
- Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
Contraindications: Contraindicated for long term use or in large doses, nor in cases of Spleen... 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. see more
Source date: 1682 AD
Source book: Medical Formulas Collected and Analyzed
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.
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, Liver Fire Blazing or Liver Fire insulting the Lungs. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as abnormal vaginal discharge, early menstruation or abnormal uterine bleeding for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the ten ingredients in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Long Dan Xie Gan Tang helps treat.
The ten ingredients in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Long Dan Cao is a king ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLiverLung
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Long Dan Cao it is extremely effective at draining Excessive Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder and eliminating Damp-Heat from the Lower-Burner.
Huang Qin is a deputy ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLungSmall intestineSpleen
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
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.
Zhi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLungSanjiao
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
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."
Chai Hu is a deputy ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu)
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.
Mu Tong is an assistant ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Akebia Stems (Mu Tong)
Part used: Dried stem
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSmall intestine
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
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.
Che Qian Zi is an assistant ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Plantain Seeds (Che Qian Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe seeds
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiverLungSmall intestine
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
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."
Ze Xie is an assistant ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Water Plantain (Ze Xie)
Part used: Dried tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Ze Xie's main actions are as follows: "Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat"
Di Huang is an assistant ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general 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.
Dang Gui is an assistant ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Dang Gui nourishes the Blood without causing Stagnation to counteract the effect of the bitter, drying herbs in the formula.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
10. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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.
Conditions and patterns for which Long Dan Xie Gan Tang may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat nine different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Abnormal vaginal discharge Early menstruation Abnormal uterine bleeding Spontaneous flow of breast milk 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
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Long Dan Xie Gan Tang treats abnormal vaginal discharge" for instance. Rather, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind abnormal vaginal discharge.
Now let's look at the nine patterns commonly treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Liver
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Fever Nausea Jaundice Vomiting Dark Urine sticky taste Vulvar sores Poor appetite Vulvar eczema Vaginal itching Menstrual cramps Midcycle bleeding Burning urination Abdominal fullness Urinary difficulty Feeling of heaviness Hypogastrium fullness Hypochondrium fullness Midcycle bleeding pain Irregular menstruation Yellow vaginal discharge Red and swelling scrotum Red and swelling genital Red and swelling papular Bitter taste in the mouth Vesicular skin rashes and itching
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Damp-Heat in the Liver. This pattern leads to symptoms such as hypochondrium fullness, abdominal fullness, hypogastrium fullness and bitter taste in the mouth. Patients with Damp-Heat in the Liver typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Red body with redder sides sticky yellow coating.
This pattern is caused by excessive Heat in the Liver and Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency. Dampness is created if the Spleen's transportation and transformation function is impaired. When Damp-Heat builds up, the flow of Qi is disturbed, resulting in Qi Stagnation symptoms. When lasting for a... read more about Damp-Heat in the Liver
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Fire Blazing
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
Symptoms: Thirst Tinnitus Deafness Red face Red eyes Dizziness Epistaxis Dry stools Dark Urine Haemoptysis Irritability Constipation Haematemesis Outbursts of anger Temporal headaches Dream disturbed sleep Bitter taste in the mouth
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Fire Blazing. This pattern leads to symptoms such as irritability, outbursts of anger, tinnitus and deafness. Patients with Liver Fire Blazing typically exhibit rapid (Shu), wiry (Xian) or full (Shi) pulses.
Many of these symptoms are located in the upper-parts of the body because the nature of Fire is to flare upwards. As such we have the red face and eyes, the temporal headache, dizziness, etc. The headache is typically very intense, throbbing in character and located on the temples or felt in the... read more about Liver Fire Blazing
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Symptoms: Asthma Thirst Red face Headaches Dizziness Constipation Breathlessness Bloodshot eyes Scanty and dark urine Bitter taste in the mouth Cough with yellow or blood-tinged sputum Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Fire insulting the Lungs. This pattern leads to symptoms such as breathlessness, asthma, distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria and cough with yellow or blood-tinged sputum. Patients with Liver Fire insulting the Lungs typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses.
The Liver ensures the smooth flow of Qi, which includes the normal descending of Lung Qi.
Liver-Qi Stagnation, which is necessary for this pattern to develop, causes the feeling of distension of the chest and hypochondrium. If it persists over a long period of time, it can turn into Liver... read more about Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
'Heat' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Heat pattern in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
Symptoms: Fever Thirst Fatigue Hot body Headaches No thirst Dry mouth Dizziness Red urine Joint pain Heavy head Late period Restlessness Loose stools Heavy periods Poor appetite Chest pressure Feeling of heat Sore lower back Vaginal itching Aversion to cold Frequent sighing Vaginal discharge Abdominal fullness Frequent urination Swollen neck glands Abdominal tightness Sore and weak limbs Feeling of heaviness Lower abdominal pain Scanty dark urination Thick menstrual blood Scanty and dark urine Trichomonas infection Irregular menstruation Thermophilus infection Feeling of bearing down Purplish menstrual blood Smelly Vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge Sticky taste in the mouth Bitter taste in the mouth Small clots in menstrual blood Yellow or brown vaginal discharge Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Damp-Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as fever, swollen neck glands, headaches and stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium. Patients with Damp-Heat typically exhibit soggy (Ru) pulses.
Within the Four-Levels theory, Damp-Heat is the first level of invasion of External Pathogens, when it still resides in the body's Exterior.
The general symptoms of Damp-Heat are the heaviness of the body and head as well as low temperature fever rising in the afternoon. The patients are not hot on... read more about Damp-Heat
'Heat' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Heat pattern in Chinese Medicine
Toxic-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Symptoms: Pus Fever Boils Eczema Thirst Pustule Coughing Swellings Carbuncles Dark Urine Sore throat Mouth ulcers Constipation Swollen tonsils Perineum swollen Prostate swollen Testicle swollen Red skin eruptions Shortness of breath
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Toxic-Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as fever, swellings, pus and boils. Patients with Toxic-Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) pulses.
There are two types of Toxic-Heat. One type is called Toxic-Heat Stagnation, which mainly happens in Channels or other surfaces like skins, throat, lymph or mouth. The symptoms include pain, redness and swollen in throat as well as skin pustule and rush. Acne during teenage time is mainly due to... read more about Toxic-Heat
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