Warm the Gallbaldder Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Wen Dan Tang
English Translation: Warm the Gallbaldder Decoction
Formula Type: Clear Heat and Transform Phlegm
Actions: Regulates the qi, tranforms phlegm, clears the Gallbladder, & harmonizes the Stomach.
Indications: Dizziness, vertigo, nausea or vomiting, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams, palpitations, anxiety, indetereminate gnawing hunger, or seizures accompanied by copious sputum, focal distention of the chest, a bitter teast in the mouth, slight thirst, a greasy, yellow tongue coating, & a rapid pulse that is either slippery or wiry.
Contraindications: Unknown.
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
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view: Zhu Ru |
Bamboo Shavings | 6g |
view: Zhi Shi |
Bitter Orange, Unripened | 6g |
view: Ban Xia |
Pinellia | 6g |
view: Chen Pi |
Tangerine / Citrus Peel | 9g |
view: Fu Ling |
Poria | 4.5g |
view: Zhi Gan Cao |
Honey-fried Licorice | 3g |
Zhu Ru / Bamboo Shavings | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Slightly Cold • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat | |||
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Clears & transforms phlegm-heat: for heat in the Lungs with thick sputum, a stifling sensation in the chest, or coughing up blood.2. Clears heat & stops vomiting: for vomiting of bitter or sour material due to heat in the Stomach with bad breath, aversion to heat, & a yellow, greasy tongue. This herb is effective in stopping vomiting & can be used, with other appropriate herbs, in treating other types of vomiting including that associated with morning sickness. 3. Cools the blood & stops bleeding: to stop nosebleed & vomiting of blood. |
MeridiansGallbladder, Lung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with nausea & vomiting due to Stomach cold or cold food stagnation. |
Zhi Shi / Orange (Bitter) unripened, immatured fruit | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Slightly Cold • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Breaks up stagnant qi & reduces accumulation: for epigastric or abdominal pain & distention or indigestion with focal distention or gas.2. Directs the qi downward & unblocks the bowels: frequently used for abdominal pain & constipation caused by accumulation & stagnant qi. Also used for dystentric diarrhea that is difficult, with or without tenesmus. 3. Transforms phlegm & expels focal distention: for focal distention & fullness in the chest & epigastrium due tp phlegm obstructing the qi mechanism. 4. Also used with qi tonifying herbs for gastriectasis, gastroptosis, rectal prolapse, or uterine prolapse. recently used to raise blood pressure. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution during pregnancy, or in cases where the normal qi is weak or there is Stomach cold from deficiency. |
Ban Xia / Pinellia (Prepared) | |||
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Warm & Transform Phlegm Cold | |||
Dosage4.5-12g |
Actions1. Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, & causes rebellious qi to descend: for cough with copious sputum, as in conditions of phlegm-cold in the Lungs. Especially effective in transforming phlegm due to dampness of the Spleen.2. Harmonizes the Stomach & stops vomiting: for lingering phlegm-dampness in the Stomach that rebels upward, causing nausea & vomiting. 3. Dissipates nodules & reduces distention: for nodules, pressure, distention, or pain due to phlegm lingering in the chest, phlegm nodules in the neck (such as those of goiter & scrofula), or obstructions caused by phlegm anywhere in the body. Also for focal distention in the chest & epigastrium. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in all cases of bleeding, cough due to yin deficiency, or depleted fluids. Use with caution in all cases with heat. May be incompatible with wu tou. Toxic: overdosage symptoms include feeling of burning & numbness in the throat, lips, queasy stomach & nausea, & a feeling of pressure in the chest. For recovery, administer raw ginger orally. |
Chen Pi / Citrus (Tangerine) Peel - Aged, Matured | |||
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Regulates the qi, improves the transportive funaction of the Spleen, adjusts the middle, & relieves the diaphragm: for Spleen or Stomach, stagnant qi patterns with such symptoms as epigastic or abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, & nausea & vomiting. This herb promotes the movement of qi in general while specifically directing it downward. Its is therefore commonly used in treating many different types of nausea & vomiting.2. Dries dampness & transforms phlegm: an important herb for phlegm-damp coughs with a stifling sensation in the chest & /or diaphragm, & copious, viscous sputum. Also used for damp turbidity obstructing the middle with a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal distention, loss of appetite, fatigue, loose stool, & a thick, greasy tongue coating. An important qi-level herb of both the Spleen & Lung channels, it is especially appropriate for disorders involving both channels. 3. Helps prevent stagnation: used with tonifying herbs to prevent their cloying nature from causing stagnation. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of dry cough due to yin or qi deficiency. Use with caution when the tongue is red, & in cases with hot phlegm or dry heat coughs, or spittting of blood. |
Fu Ling / Poria, Hoelen, Tuckahoe | |||
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Taste: Sweet, Bland • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Drain Damp • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage9-15g, up to 60g |
Actions1. Promotes urination & leaches out dampness: for urinary difficulty, diarrhea, or edema due to stagnation of fluids or dampness. Also used in cases of scanty urine due to damp-heat (more often in its red form).2. Strengthens the Spleen & harmonizes the middle burner: for Spleen deficiency compounded by dampness with such symptoms as loss of appetite, diarrhea, & epigastric distention. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & transforms phlegm: for Spleen deficiency with congested fluids in which phlegm moves upward with such symptoms as palpitations, headache, dizziness, & a thick, greasy tongue coating. 4. Quites the Heart & calms the spirit: for palpiations, insomnia, or forgetfulness. |
MeridiansHeart, Spleen, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of frequent, copious urine due to cold from deficiency. May counteract di yu, qin jiao & bie jia. Taking this herb in large doses or long-term is discouraged. |
Zhi Gan Cao / Licorice Root, honey-baked | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage2-12g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations.2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs. 3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically. 4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs. 5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels. 6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically. 7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms. |
MeridiansAll 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach) |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate. |