[Source]

Shang Han Lun

 [Composition]

Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatilla chinensis), Huang Bai (Amur Cork Tree Bark), Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis), Qin Pi (Ash Bark)
(4)

 [Classification]

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Huang Lian, Huang Bai

<Clearing Heat and Detoxifying>: Bai Tou Weng, Qin Pi

[Formula Analysis]

Yi Fang: This formula targets the Yangming, Shaoyin, and Jueyin channels. (1) Bai Tou Weng: Bitter and cold, it enters the blood of the Yangming channel to cool the blood and stop dysentery. (2) Qin Pi: Bitter and cold with an astringent property, it cools the liver, tonifies the kidney, and secures the lower jiao. (3) Huang Lian: Cools the heart and clears the liver. (4) Huang Bai: Drains fire, tonifies water, dries dampness, stops diarrhea, and thickens the intestines. It is chosen for its ability to overcome heat with cold, strengthen the kidneys with bitterness, and stop diarrhea with astringency. Shan Bu: The chief herb is Bai Tou Weng, which is cold, bitter, and pungent. The deputy is Qin Pi, which is cold, bitter, and astringent. Cold overcomes heat, bitterness dries dampness, pungency disperses stagnant fire, and astringency controls downward leakage. With the assistant Huang Lian to clear fire in the upper jiao, thirst can be stopped. With the envoy Huang Bai to drain heat from the lower jiao, diarrhea will be resolved.

 [Functions]

Clears heat and dries dampness, detoxifies, cools blood, and stops dysentery.

 [Indications]

Heat-toxin dysentery, abdominal pain, tenesmus, burning sensation in the anus, bloody stools (more red than white), thirst with desire to drink water, red tongue with yellow coating, and a wiry and rapid pulse. Yi Fang: For heat-toxin dysentery in the course of febrile disease with tenesmus and desire to drink water. Shan Bu: For Jueyin heat-toxin dysentery with tenesmus, a deep and wiry pulse, and desire to drink water.

 [Applications]

Acute enteritis, bacterial dysentery, amebic dysentery, ulcerative colitis, urinary tract infections, acute conjunctivitis.

 [Contraindications]

Contraindicated for dysentery due to deficiency-cold. Avoid pork and cold water.

 [Mnemonic]

The Bai Tou Weng bird has a white face (Bai Tou Weng, Huang Bai, Lian Pi).

 [Modifications]

(1) If E Jiao and Gan Cao are added, it becomes Bai Tou Weng Jia Gan Cao E Jiao Tang from Jin Gui Yao Lue, which clears heat, detoxifies, dries dampness, cools blood, stops dysentery, nourishes blood, and tonifies yin. It is primarily used for postpartum heat-toxin dysentery. (2) For lower abdominal pain, add Xiang Fu to move qi and relieve pain. (3) For severe tenesmus, add Mu Xiang, Bing Lang, and Zhi Ke to regulate qi. (4) For abundant pus and blood, add Chi Shao, Mu Dan Pi, and Di Yu to clear heat, cool blood, and stop bleeding. (5) For concurrent external febrile wind-toxin, add Honeysuckle Flower, Lian Qiao, and Ge Gen to release external heat. (6) For concurrent food stagnation, add Shan Zha, Shen Qu, and Zhi Shi to resolve food stagnation. (7) If dampness is predominant, add Cang Zhu, Fu Ling, Bai Zhi, Coix Seed, and Ku Shen to remove dampness. (8) If blood heat is predominant, add Chi Shao, Honeysuckle, and Raw Rehmannia Root to clear heat and cool blood. (9) For concurrent spleen deficiency, add Bai Zhu to strengthen the spleen. (10) For abundant pus, add Fu Ling and Coix Seed to strengthen the spleen and remove dampness. (11) For abundant mucus, add Ru Xiang and Mo Yao to protect the intestinal mucosa. (12) For severe diarrhea, add Chi Shi Zhi to astringe the intestines and stop diarrhea.

 [Pharmacology]

It has antibacterial, antiamoebic, anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing effects.