Left Metal Pill
Chinese Prescription: Zuo Jin Wan
English Translation: Left Metal Pill
Formula Type: Clear Heat from the Organs
Actions: Clears Liver heat, directs rebellious qi downward, & stops vomiting.
Indications: Hypochondriac pain, indeterminate gnawing hunger, epigastric focal distention, vomiting, acid reflux, belching, a bitter taste in the mouth, a dry mouth, a red tongue with a yellow coating, & a wiry, rapid pulse.
Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases with acid reflux due to Stomach cold from deficiency.
| Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
view: Huang Lian
|
Coptis / Goldthread |
180g (15-18g) |
view: Wu Zhu Yu
|
Evodia |
15-30g (2-3g). At present, it is usually prepared as a decoction with the dosage specified in parentheses. |
| |
|---|
| Huang Lian / Coptis Rhizome |
|---|
 |
|---|
| Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Damp |
Dosage1.5-9g |
Actions1. Drains fire & relieves toxicity for heat with blazing fire with such symptoms as high fever, irritability, disorientation, delirium, red tongue, & a rapid full pulse. Also for exessive heat with toxicity with such symptoms as painful, red eyes & sore throat & for boils, carbuncles, & abscesses.
2. Clears heat & drains dampness: for damp-heat in the Stomach or Intestines that presents with diarrhea or dysenteric disorder. Also for vomiting &/or acid regurgitation due to Stomach heat.
3. Clears Heart fire: for irritability & insomnia due to lack of communication between the Heart & Kidneys.
4. Clears heat & stops bleeding: for nosebleed, or blood in the urine, stool, or vomit due to reckless moevement of the blood.
5. Drains Stomach fire: for digestive dysfunction with bad breath & belching with a putrid odor.
6. Clears heat topically: used topically for red & painful eyes & ulcerations of the tongue & mouth. |
MeridiansHeart, Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency, nausea or vomiting due to Stomach cold from deficiency, & diarrhea due to Spleen or Kidney deficiency. Long-term use is discouraged as it can injure the Spleen & Stomach. This herb may antagonize ju hua, xuan shen, bai xian pi, & jiang can, & may counteract kuan dong hua & niu xi. Some also say that it should not be taken with pork. |
| |
|---|
| Wu Zhu Yu / Evodia Fruit |
|---|
 |
|---|
| Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Hot • Category: Warm Interior & Expel Cold • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Warms the middle, disperses cold, relieves constraint in the Liver channel, & alleviates pain: for both Liver & Stomach channel disorders from cold or phlegm manifesting as headaches, epigastric pain with nausea, drooling, reduced taste sensation, pale tongue, & a very wiry or weak pulse. Also for cold hernial disorders in the area traversed by the Liver channel.
2. Redirects rebellious qi downward & stops vomiting: for flank pain, regurgitation of sour fluid, a wiry, rapid pulse, & a red tongue due to Liver &/or Stomach disharmony.
3. Warms the Spleen, stops diarrhea, & expels damp-cold: for diarrhea due to cold from deficiency of the Spleen & Kidneys, & damp-cold leg qi.
4. Leads fire downward: for sores of the mouth & tongue. For this purpose the herb is ground into a powder, mixed with vinegar, & placed on the center of the soles of the feet. |
MeridiansKidney, Liver, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsSlighlty toxic. This herb is very drying & can injure the qi. It should not be used long-term or in cases with yin deficiency & heat signs. According to some traditional sources, this herb antagonizes dan shen & counteracts zi shi ying. Overdose may cause the throat to become extremely dry. Toxicity: Large doses of whu zhu yu have shown a stimulatory effect on the central nervous system & can lead to visual disturbances & hallucinations. |
view cart