Artemesia Yin Chen Hao Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Yin Chen Hao Tang
English Translation: Artemesia Yin Chen Hao Decoction
Formula Type: Clear Damp-Heat
Actions: Clears heat, resolves dampness, & reduces jaundice.
Indications: Whole-body jaundice with a color that resembles a 'fresh tangerine,' slight abdominal distention, urinary difficulty, thirst (with the ability to take only sips), little or no sweating, or sweating only from the head & stopping at the neck, a yellow, greasy tongue coating, & a slippery, rapid pulse.
Contraindications: Unless modified, this formula is contraindicated for yin-type jaundice or jaundice in which dampness predominates. Da Huang should be used with extreme caution during preganacy.
|
Yin Chen Hao / Capillaris Shoots and Leaves |
|
Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Cool • Category: Drain Damp • Sub Category: |
Dosage9-15g, up to 30g in very severe cases |
Actions1. Clears damp-heat from the Liver & Gallbladder & relieves jaundice: this is the principal herb for treating jaundice due to either damp-heat or damp-cold.
2. Clears heat & releases the exterior: for heat patterns with such symptoms as intermittent fever & chills, bitter taste in the mouth, stifling sensation in the chest, flank pain, dizziness, nausea, & loss of appetite. |
MeridiansLiver, Spleen, Gallbladder, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of deficiency jaundice with pale yellow skin, normal urination & a soggy pulse. This is a disorder of qi deficiency in the middle burner, & not one of dampness. Toxicity: In one study, where yin chen hao & da zao were used to treat infectious hepatitis, two women developed Adams-Stokes syndrome, usually associated with heart block. |
|
Zhi Zi / Gardenia, Cape Jasmine Fruit |
|
Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Fire |
Dosage3-12g |
Actions1. Clears heat & eliminates irritability: for heat patterns with fever, irritability, restlessness, a stifling sensation in the chest, insomnia, or delirious speech.
2. Dries damp-heat: for painful urinary dysfunction due to damp-heat in the lower burner; damp-heat & constrained Liver & Gallbladder (middle burner) with jaundice; & damp-heat in the Gallbladder & Triple Burner channels of the face, affecting the nose & eyes or causing sores in the mouth or facial region.
3. Cools the blood & stops bleeding: for heat in the blood with such symptoms as nosebleed, or blood in the vomit, stool, or urine. For this purpose, the herb is partiallly charred.
4. Reduces swelling & moves blood stasis due to trauma: for this purpose, apply topically as a powder mixed with egg white or vinegar. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Lung, Stomach, Triple Burner |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of loose stool or loss of appetite due to cold from deficiency. |
|
Da Huang / Rhubarb Rhizome |
|
Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Downward Draining • Sub Category: Purgative |
Dosage3-12g |
Actions1. Drains heat & purges accumulations: for high fever, profuse sweating, thirst, constipation, abdominal pain & distention, delirium, yellow tongue coating, & a full pulse. This presentation is referred to either as Intestinal heat excess or the yang brightness organ-stage of the six stages of disease.
2. Drains damp-heat via the stool, especially in cases of damp-heat jaundice or acute, hot dysentric disorders. Also for painful urinary dysfunction.
3. Drains heat from the blood: for blood in the stool either from bleeding hemorrhoids or heat accumulating in the Intestines. Also for reckless movement of hot blood that overflows, manifested in vomiting blood or nosebleed accompanied by constipation.
4. Invigorates the blood & dispels blood stasis: for amenorrhea, immobile abdominal masses, or fixed pain due to blood stasis. Also for blood stasis due to traumatic injury or Intestinal abscess. This is an important herb for treating both recent & long-terms blood stasis.
5. Clears heat obstructing the blood level: for fever, hot, swollen & painful eyes, or fire toxin sores due to heat excess obstructing the blood level.
6. Clears heat & reduces fire toxicity: used either topically or internally for burns or hot skin lesions. |
MeridiansHeart, Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of exterior disorders, qi or blood deficiency, cold from deficiency of the Spleen & Stomach. Use with exteme caution during pregnancy, menstruation, or post partum. Contraindicated for nursing mothers because the active ingredients enter the milk. |