Chinese: 散肿溃坚汤
Pinyin: Sàn Zhǒng Kuì Jiān Tāng
Other names: Decoction to Disperse Swelling and Ulcerate What is Hard
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: GoiterScrofulaNeck tumors and five other conditions
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
- Reduces swelling
- Induces ulceration
- Moves the Blood and dispels stasis
Contraindications: This formula contains several bitter, drying, and dispersing herbs. Care must... 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. see more
Source date: 1336 AD
Source book: Secrets from the Orchid Chamber
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.
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.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seventeen ingredients in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that San Zhong Kui Jian Tang helps treat.
The seventeen ingredients in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Huang Bo is a king ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bo)
Part used: Dried bark
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: BladderKidneyLarge intestine
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Huang Bo clears Toxic-Heat. It addresses the accumulated Heat that occurs at the area
of the tumor and also the Heat of specific Organs that are the root cause of the tumor.
Zhi Mu is a king ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Zhi Mu clears Heat while also protecting Yin that is susceptible to damage from the Heat
accumulation 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.
Long Dan Cao is a king ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
3. 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 clears Toxic-Heat. It addresses the accumulated Heat that occurs at the area
of the tumor and also the Heat of specific Organs that are the root cause of the tumor.
Huang Lian is a king ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
4. 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
Huang Lian clears Toxic-Heat. It addresses the accumulated Heat that occurs at the area
of the tumor and also the Heat of specific Organs that are the root cause of the tumor.
Huang Qin is a king ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
5. 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 clears Toxic-Heat. It addresses the accumulated Heat that occurs at the area
of the tumor and also the Heat of specific Organs that are the root cause of the tumor.
Kun Bu is a deputy ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
6. Kombu (Kun Bu)
In general Kun Bu's main actions are as follows: "Softens hardness, Cools Hot phlegm. Encourages urination and lessens edema."
In the context of San Zhong Kui Jian Tang, it is used because it is salty, transforms Phlegm and softens hardness.
Lian Qiao is a deputy ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
7. Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao)
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.
Tian Hua Fen is an assistant ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Snake Gourd Roots (Tian Hua Fen)
Tian Hua Fen clears Heat while also protecting Yin that is susceptible to damage from the Heat
accumulation 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.
Jie Geng is an assistant ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Platycodon Roots (Jie Geng)
Jie Geng clears Heat while also protecting Yin that is susceptible to damage from the Heat
accumulation 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.
San Leng is an assistant ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
10. Common Burreed Tubers (San Leng)
Part used: The tuber or rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: SpleenLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
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.
E zhu is an assistant ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
11. Zedoary Rhizomes (E zhu)
Part used: Rhizoma
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
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.
Ge Gen is an assistant ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
12. Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen)
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.
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
13. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
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.
Sheng Ma is an assistant ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
14. Bugbane Rhizomes (Sheng Ma)
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.
Chai Hu is an assistant ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
15. Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu)
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.
Dang Gui is an assistant ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
16. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
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 the
Yin-Blood. Please note that the Dong quai tail should be used in this formula to enhance the Blood invigoration effect.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in San Zhong Kui Jian Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
17. 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 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the formula, drains Fire, augments the Stomach qi, and also dispels sore toxins.
Conditions and patterns for which San Zhong Kui Jian 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 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat two 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:
Goiter Scrofula Lymphadenitis Tubercular lymph nodes Neck tumors Shoulder tumors Underarm tumors Hyperthyroidism
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "San Zhong Kui Jian Tang treats goiter" for instance. Rather, San Zhong Kui Jian Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind goiter.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with San Zhong Kui Jian Tang.
Blood (Xue) is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Blood in Chinese Medicine
Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Firm (Lao), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
Symptoms: Lumps Tremor Numbness Dark face Dizziness Purple lips Purple nails Blotchy skin Restlessness Itching scalp Painful period Abdominal mass Scanty periods Abdominal pain Abdominal masses Skin capillaries Hesitant periods Tendency to bleed Premenstrual pain Dark colored blood Traumatic swelling Shoulder stiffness Absence of menstruation Boring fixed stabbing pain Frequent bleeding episodes Dark clots in menstrual blood Abdominal distention and fullness
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Blood Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dark face, purple lips, boring fixed stabbing pain and abdominal masses. Patients with Blood Stagnation typically exhibit choppy (Se), firm (Lao) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Purple tongue .
Blood Stagnation - also often referred to as "Blood Stasis" - is where the Blood flow is heavily restricted in all or parts of the body. It is one of the most important diagnostic conditions in Chinese Medicine because it is frequently the cause of intractable pain syndromes anywhere in the... read more about Blood Stagnation
'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)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Pus Fever Boils Sores Eczema Thirst Pustule Coughing Erythema Swellings Carbuncles Dark Urine Sore throat Mouth ulcers Constipation Abdominal pain Swollen tonsils Feeling of heat Lower back pain Perineum swollen Prostate swollen Testicle swollen Red skin eruptions Shortness of breath Yellow vaginal discharge Smelly Vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge Bloody vaginal discharge Five colour vaginal discharge
San Zhong Kui Jian 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 as well as Red tongue with yellow coating.
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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