[Source]

“Dan Xi Xin Fa” (1347), “Zhun Sheng. You Ke” (1607) Vol. 3 (contains Bupleurum, Pinellia ternata).

 [Composition]

Angelica sinensis, Gentiana scabra, Aloe vera, Gardenia jasminoides, Coptis chinensis, Phellodendron chinense, Scutellaria baicalensis, Rheum palmatum, Aucklandia lappa, Indigo naturalis, Musk
(11)

 [Category]

<Blood Toning>: Angelica sinensis

<Qi Regulation>: Aucklandia lappa

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Gentiana scabra, Scutellaria baicalensis, Coptis chinensis, Phellodendron chinense

<Purging Excess>: Rheum palmatum, Aloe vera

<Clearing Heat and Purging Fire>: Gardenia jasminoides

<Clearing Heat and Detoxifying>: Indigo naturalis

<Opening the Orifices>: Musk

[Formula Meaning]

“Yi Fang”: This formula is for the Liver channel of the Foot Jueyin and the San Jiao of the Hand and Foot Shaoyang. (1) The Liver (Wood) is the root of fire generation. When Liver fire is strong, fire in other channels arises consequently, leading to various conditions. (2) Therefore, Gentiana scabra and Indigo naturalis directly enter the channel to extinguish it. (3) Rheum palmatum, Scutellaria baicalensis, Coptis chinensis, Gardenia jasminoides, Phellodendron chinense: clear fire from the upper, middle, and lower Jiao. (4) Aloe vera: extremely bitter and extremely cold, its dry qi enters the Liver and can guide other herbs into the Jueyin channel. (5) Angelica sinensis: acrid and warm, it enters the Jueyin channel, harmonizes blood, and tonifies yin, thus serving as the monarch herb. (6) A small amount of Aucklandia lappa and Musk: are added to promote Qi circulation and open the orifices. (7) However, it should not be used lightly for those without excess fire. For treating night sweats, night sweats are associated with heat, and this formula is consistent with Dang Gui Da Huang Tang. “Shan Bu”: Wang Ang states: The Liver (Wood) is the root of fire generation. When Liver fire is strong, fire in other channels arises consequently, leading to various conditions. Therefore, Angelica sinensis, Aloe vera, Gentiana scabra, and Indigo naturalis directly enter the channel, affecting both Qi and blood, to first pacify the most severe symptoms, and then the fire in all channels will gradually subside. Scutellaria baicalensis is added to purge Lung fire, Coptis chinensis to purge Heart fire, Phellodendron chinense to purge Kidney fire, Rheum palmatum to purge Stomach and Intestine fire, and Gardenia jasminoides to purge San Jiao fire. These are all powerfully bitter and extremely cold herbs that directly extinguish fire, causing fire from the upper, middle, and lower Jiao to be expelled through bowel movements. A small amount of Aucklandia lappa and Musk are added to promote Qi regulation and open the orifices, allowing for smooth circulation. However, it should not be used lightly for those without excess fire.

 [Functions]

Purge excess fire of the Liver and Gallbladder, promote bowel movements.

 [Efficacy]

Excess fire of the Liver and Gallbladder, dizziness, restless spirit, severe cases of palpitations and convulsions, delirium and madness; or distension and pain in the chest and abdomen, constipation, scanty and red urine. “Yi Fang”: All kinds of Liver and Gallbladder fire, restless spirit, palpitations and convulsions, agitation and mania, dizziness, tinnitus and deafness, chest and diaphragm obstruction, sore throat, dry and difficult bowel movements, pain in the flanks radiating to the lower abdomen, Liver heat affecting the Lung causing cough, also treats night sweats. “Shan Bu”: Excess fire of the Liver channel, dizziness, deafness and tinnitus, palpitations and convulsions, agitation and mania, constipation, scanty and difficult urination, or pain in the chest and flanks, scrotal swelling, all conditions due to excess Liver channel fire should be treated with this.

 [Indications]

Acute and chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, biliary ascariasis, habitual constipation.

 [Contraindications]

(1) Contraindicated for pregnant women; (2) Use with caution for those with deficiency and loose stools.

 [Mnemonic]

Formula name + Huang Lian Jie Du Tang/’>Huang Lian Jie Du Tang + Da Qing Er Xiang.

 [Pharmacology]

The individual herbs in this formula have effects such as antitumor, anthelmintic, sedative, antibacterial, and purgative properties.