Library

Huanglian Jiedu Tang (Coptis Decoction for Resolving Toxicity): Treats all conditions of excessive Yang heat and fire toxicity, presenting with facial redness, dry mouth, mania, restlessness, delirium, insomnia, severe fever with dry vomiting, hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), and cases where diarrhea persists after purgation but the heat remains unrelieved.

Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi) [equal parts], Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin).
Decoct in water and take orally.

[Collected Notes] Wang Ang stated: Extreme cold is termed Yin Toxin; extreme heat is termed Yang Toxin. This formula is named Huanglian Jiedu Tang because Coptidis Rhizoma serves as the sovereign herb to directly resolve heart meridian fire toxicity. Scutellariae Radix clears lung meridian fire toxicity; Phellodendri Cortex clears kidney meridian fire toxicity; Gardeniae Fructus unblockedly clears Sanjiao (Triple Burner) fire toxicity, allowing various fire toxins to exit via the bladder. If stool is dry and hard, add Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang), renaming the formula Zhizi Jinhua Tang, facilitating the exit of fire toxins through both large and small intestines. Generally, when Yang is hyperactive, Yin declines; when fire is excessive, Water (Kidney Yin) depletes. Therefore, bitter-cold herbs are used to suppress Yang and support Yin, draining excessive fire to rescue impending Yin depletion. However, this formula should not be administered lightly unless there is excess heat.

[Commentary] Huanglian Jiedu Tang, Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), Sanhuang Shigao Tang (Three Yellows and Gypsum Decoction), and Daqinglong Tang (Major Blue Green Dragon Decoction) all treat conditions of simultaneous exterior and interior heat. However, Daqinglong Tang treats exterior excess with robust fever, where interior heat is shallow and located in the muscle layer; Sanhuang Shigao Tang treats exterior excess with robust fever, where interior heat is deep and located in the stomach. Thus, Daqinglong Tang uses Gypsum (Shigao) to assist Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) and Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) to release the Taiyang exterior and resolve Yangming interior heat. Sanhuang Shigao Tang uses Gypsum to assist Ephedrae Herba and Fermented Soybean (Douchi) to similarly release the Taiyang exterior and resolve Yangming interior heat. Daqinglong Tang further adds Apricot Seed (Xingren), Licorice Root (Gancao), Ginger (Shengjiang), and Jujube (Dazao) to assist Ephedrae Herba, specifically aiming to disperse heat constrained in the muscles. Sanhuang Shigao Tang further adds Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Gardeniae Fructus, and Phellodendri Cortex to assist Gypsum, specifically aiming to drain deep-seated heat in the stomach. Baihu Tang treats exterior heat in the muscles and interior heat in the stomach; thus, it does not use Ephedrae Herba or Cinnamon Twig to release the Taiyang exterior, but relies solely on Gypsum to clear Yangming interior heat. Huanglian Jiedu Tang treats exterior heat in the Three Yang meridians and interior heat in the Sanjiao; thus, it neither uses Ephedrae Herba or Cinnamon Twig to release the Taiyang exterior nor Gypsum to clear Yangming interior heat, but exclusively employs the "Three Yellows" (Coptidis Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix, Phellodendri Cortex) to drain excess fire from above, below, inside, and outside. These scenarios involve pathogenic factors from the Taiyang invading the Yangming without entering the fu organs to form solid accumulation. If the pathogen has entered the fu organs and formed solid accumulation, one should employ one of the Chengqi Decoctions (Chengqi Tangs) to purge the heat.

Sanhuang Tang (Three Yellows Decoction): Treats excess heat in the Sanjiao and all conditions of surplus fire accompanied by constipation.
Scutellariae Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma [equal parts], Coptidis Rhizoma.
Decoct in water and take orally.

Erhuang Tang (Two Yellows Decoction): Treats hyperactive fire in the Upper Jiao causing severe swelling of the head and face, red and swollen painful eyes, excessive heat in the chest, heart, throat, tongue, ears, nose, and generation of sores and toxins.
Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Licorice Root [equal parts].
Decoct in water and take after meals.

[Commentary] Sanhuang Tang uses Scutellariae Radix to drain Upper Jiao fire, Coptidis Rhizoma to drain Middle Jiao fire, and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma to drain Lower Jiao fire; this is indeed appropriate for excess fire in the Sanjiao with solid stool. If stool is loose, it indicates a pattern suitable for Huanglian Jiedu Tang. Replacing Phellodendri Cortex with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is because the heat constraint in the Lower Jiao is not yet solid. Adding Gardeniae Fructus allows heat to exit via urination rather than defecation. For excess fire in the Upper and Middle Jiao, Liangge San (Cool the Diaphragm Powder) is used. For excess fire in the Upper Jiao alone, replace Rhei Radix et Rhizoma with Licorice Root in this formula to create Erhuang Tang, allowing the properties of Scutellariae Radix and Coptidis Rhizoma to descend slowly and linger in the diaphragm area. Zhang Jiegou reduced Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma from Liangge San and added Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng); this follows the same principle. Although these are all fire-draining formulas, their differences in targeting upper/lower regions, speed, and intensity represent methods of modification and transformation that must be understood.

Sanhuang Shigao Tang (Three Yellows and Gypsum Decoction): Treats Yang-type Shanghan (Cold Damage) with severe exterior and interior heat and anhidrosis (absence of sweating), or cases where sweating or purgation has been applied but the disease persists beyond its expected duration, presenting with surging and rapid pulse throughout all six positions, facial redness, dry nose, dry tongue, extreme thirst, restlessness, insomnia, delirium, epistaxis, jaundice, rash, and macules. For any of the above symptoms, if there is exterior excess with no sweat and no interior solid accumulation, this formula is indicated.
Gypsum (Shigao) [1.5 liang], Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Phellodendri Cortex, Ephedrae Herba [each 7 qian], Fermented Soybean (Douchi) [2 he], Gardeniae Fructus [30 fruits].
Take 1 liang per dose, add three stalks of green onion, decoct in water, and take hot. For patients with strong constitution, double the dose.

[Note] Zhang Zhongjing established dual-release methods for severe exterior and interior heat. For example, Daqinglong Tang treats severe exterior and interior heat with exterior excess and anhidrosis; thus, it induces sweating, resolving both exterior and interior upon sweat emission. Baihu Tang treats severe exterior and interior heat; since the exterior already has sweat, it avoids Ephedrae Herba and Cinnamon Twig; since the interior is not solid, it avoids Natrii Sulfas and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. It uses only Gypsum, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), and Licorice Root to externally resolve Yangming muscle heat and internally clear Yangming fu heat, achieving dual resolution of exterior and interior. In cases of exterior excess with anhidrosis, heat constrained in Ying and Wei levels, interior not yet solid, but heat exuberant in the Sanjiao causing severe exterior and interior heat: using Daqinglong Tang would fail to address the Sanjiao; using Baihu Tang would fail to address Ying and Wei. Therefore, Tao Hua created this formula: using the "Three Yellows" to drain exuberant fire in the Sanjiao, assisted by Gardeniae Fructus to guide heat downward, allowing internal heat to exit from below. Using Ephedrae Herba to open heat constraint in Ying and Wei, assisted by Douchi and green onion to move directly to the skin and hair, allowing external pathogens to dissipate outward. Gypsum is used in heavy dosage as a key ingredient because, combined externally with Ephedrae Herba and Douchi, it takes precedent from Daqinglong Tang, indicating that resolving exterior heat cannot go beyond the scope of Daqinglong Tang. Internally combined with the "Three Yellows," it takes precedent from Baihu Tang, indicating that resolving interior heat cannot go beyond the scope of Baihu Tang. Moreover, Ephedrae Herba and Douchi, aided by Gypsum and the "Three Yellows," strongly release exterior heat without disturbing interior heat; the "Three Yellows," aided by Gypsum, Ephedrae Herba, and Douchi, greatly clear interior heat without hindering the dispersal of external pathogens. Thus, this formula excels in treating simultaneous exterior and interior heat and embodies Zhang Zhongjing’s core principles. If there is slight sweating on the exterior, halve Ephedrae Herba and double Cinnamon Twig to prevent excessive opening of pores; if there is slight loose stool internally, reduce Gypsum and double Puerariae Radix (Gegen) to avoid damaging middle Qi deficiency.

Liangge San (Cool the Diaphragm Powder): Treats exuberant heart fire, middle jiao dryness and excess, restlessness, thirst, red eyes, dizziness, mouth ulcers, cracked lips, hematemesis, epistaxis, constipation and dysuria, wind-induced convulsions, stomach heat causing rashes and mania, pediatric acute fright seizures, and black depression of smallpox lesions.
Forsythiae Fructum (Lianqiao) [4 liang], Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (soaked in wine), Scutellariae Radix (stir-fried with wine), Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bohe) [1 liang], Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) [2 liang], Gardeniae Fructum (fried), Natrii Sulfas (Mangxiao).
Grind into powder. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct with Bambusae Caulis Taedia (Zhuyeqing) and raw honey.

[Collected Notes] Wang Ang stated: This is a formula for draining excess fire in the Upper and Middle Jiao. When heat invades internally, treat with salty-cold substances, assisted by bitter-sweet ones. Thus, Forsythiae Fructum, Scutellariae Radix, Bambusaepulcherrima Caulis (Zhuzhu), and Menthae Haplocalycis Herba disperse fire upward, while Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Natrii Sulfas vigorously purge heat in the middle, causing rising and descending movement to naturally cool the diaphragm. Licorice Root and raw honey are used because the pathology is in the diaphragm, and sweet flavors soothe it. Ancient texts frequently use Liangge San. Adding Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Changpu) and Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi) creates Zhanshe Gao (Tongue-Turning Paste) for heart meridian latent heat. Adding Indigo Naturalis (Qingdai) and Isatidis Radix (Languen) creates Huoming Jindan (Life-Saving Golden Pill) for liver meridian wind-heat. Zhang Jiegou removed Natrii Sulfas and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma from Liangge San and added Platycodonis Radix as a carrier to float upward, treating various upper jiao heat patterns, especially suitable for those with loose stools; one should not disparage this formula for being too purgative.

Zhuye Huangqi Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Astragalus Decoction): Treats Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), Qi and Blood deficiency, and thirst caused by exuberant stomach fire.
Bambusa Leaves (Danzhuye), Rehmanniae Radix Recens (Shengdihuang) [each 2 qian], Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Scutellariae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), Ginseng Radix (Renshen), Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia), Gypsum [each 1 qian].
Decoct in water and take orally.

[Collected Notes] Ke Qin stated: When both Qi and Blood are deficient but stomach fire is exuberant, skilled treatment combines tonification and purgation. Cold herbs do not damage Yang; warm herbs do not aid fire; supporting Zheng Qi causes Xie Qi to retreat. Si Jun Zi Tang is a Qi-tonifying formula; adding Astragali Radix and removing Poria (Fuling) and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) avoids aiding dryness associated with fire. Si Wu Tang is a Blood-tonifying formula; doubling the dose of fresh Rehmanniae Radix utilizes its cold nature. Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Radix are holy medicines for treating irritability and heat, representing tonification with purgation. Furthermore, the sweet-cold property of Rehmanniae Radix drains heart and kidney fire; Bamboo Leaves assist Paeoniae Radix Alba to drain liver and gallbladder fire; Gypsum assists Paeoniae Radix Alba to drain spleen and stomach fire; Ophiopogonis Radix combined with Scutellariae Radix drains lung and intestinal fire. Thus, stomach fire cannot remain exuberant alone, and the replenishment of Qi and Blood becomes evident. Only Pinelliae Rhizoma is warm and acrid-dispersing; used within a great-cold formula, it aims to open the pathway between Yin and Yang. Qibo treated insomnia due to Yin deficiency by prescribing Ban Xia Tang, which induced sleep quickly; modern practitioners forbid Ban Xia for dry-thirst conditions, demonstrating a misunderstanding of Yin-Yang theory.

[Commentary] This formula is essentially Zhuye Shigao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction) plus Rehmanniae Radix Recens, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, and Scutellariae Radix. Zhuye Shigao Tang treats irritability, thirst, shortness of breath, and nausea after the resolution of Shanghan. This formula treats Xiao Ke with Qi/Blood deficiency and exuberant stomach fire. Due to Qi deficiency, Astragali Radix is added to assist Ginseng Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix to tonify Qi; due to Blood deficiency, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix Alba, and Rehmanniae Radix are added to tonify Blood; due to exuberant stomach fire, Scutellariae Radix is added to assist Gypsum to clear stomach fire. Since their irritability and thirst are similar, the remaining herbs are identical. Inferring from these two formulas, the intention behind using Pinelliae Rhizoma becomes clear: the Spleen transports fluids for the Stomach. Spleen dampness and Stomach dryness hinder fluid circulation; fire transforms fluids into phlegm, while cold transforms them into retained fluid. Clearing stomach fire and drying spleen dampness eliminates phlegm and fluid retention naturally. Pinelliae Rhizoma resolves phlegm and breaks fluid retention, clearing fluids before they become phlegm and transforming existing turbid fluids; no other herb compares. Hence, both formulas utilize it in cases of exuberant stomach fire and dry-thirst.

Qingwei San (Clear the Stomach Powder): Treats damp-heat in the stomach meridian causing swollen and painful gums, pain radiating to the head, or facial fever.
Platycodonis Radix (Shengma), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix Recens, Chuan Lianzi (Chuanhuanglian), Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi), Angelicae Sinensis Radix.
Decoct in water and take orally.

[Collected Notes] Luo Qianfu stated: The Yangming Stomach meridian is abundant in Qi and Blood. As two Yangs combine to create brightness, heat is exuberant; thus, pathogenic invasion often results in excess patterns. If there is extreme thirst, abnormal tongue coating, and restlessness, this indicates injury to the Qi level, with heat gathering in the stomach fu organ and drying fluids; Baihu Tang is indicated. If excessive consumption of rich wine and fatty, roasted foods causes damp-heat to stagnate in the stomach fu and reverse into the collaterals, resulting in this condition, this indicates injury to the Blood level, and treatment should focus on clearing the stomach. In this formula, Rehmanniae Radix Recens nourishes Yin and cools blood as the sovereign herb, assisted by Moutan Cortex to remove steaming heat and relieve stagnation. Coptidis Rhizoma clears heat and dries dampness as the minister herb, assisted by Angelicae Sinensis Radix to enter the blood level and follow the meridian. Platycodonis Radix’s acrid-cool nature serves as a guiding herb for the stomach meridian, directing all herbs to the blood level, thereby thoroughly clearing symptoms such as throat discomfort and gum swelling.

Dao Chi San (Guide Red Powder): Treats heart heat causing oral ulcers and tongue sores, yellow-red urine, penile pain, and painful/difficult urination due to heat strangury.
Rehmanniae Radix Recens, Tetrapanacis Medulla (Mutong), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (tip).
Decoct the three herbs in water and take orally.

[Note] Red corresponds to the Heart. "Guiding Red" means guiding heart meridian heat out through the Small Intestine, as the Heart and Small Intestine are exterior-interior pairs. Symptoms like oral ulcers, yellow-red urine, penile pain, and difficult urination indicate heart heat transferring to the Small Intestine. Therefore, Coptidis Rhizoma is not used to directly drain heart fire; instead, Rehmanniae Radix Recens nourishes the Kidney and cools the Heart, Tetrapanacis Medulla promotes urination in the Small Intestine, and Glycyrrhizae Radix tip is added to easily drain heat from the lowest part, relieving penile pain and guiding heart heat. This formula is suitable for patterns of Yin deficiency with non-excess fire, promoting diuresis without damaging Yin and draining fire without harming the Stomach. For excess heat in the heart meridian, add Coptidis Rhizoma and Bamboo Leaves; for severe cases, add Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, employing the method of removing firewood from under the cauldron.

Wulin San (Five Stranguries Powder): Treats heat binding in the bladder, obstructed urinary flow, painful/difficult urination with burning sensation, urine resembling bean juice, stone formation, paste-like pus, or hematuria.
Red Poria (Chifuling) [1.5 qian], Red Peony Root (Chishaoyao) [1 qian], Gardeniae Semen (Zhiren) [1 qian], Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma [each 1.2 qian].
Decoct the five herbs with Juncus Effusus (Dengxincao) in water and take orally.

Bazheng San (Eight Upright Powder)
Speranskiae Herba (Qumai), Gardeniae Fructus, Persicariae Herba (Bianxu), Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Tetrapanacis Medulla, Talcum (Huashi), Plantaginis Semen (Cheqianzi), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma [each 1 qian].
Add 1 qian of Juncus Effusus, decoct and take orally. (Zhu Zhenheng’s formula: add Costi Rhizoma (Muxiang) 1 qian).

[Note] Regulating water passages and transporting fluids downward to the bladder is the function of the Sanjiao. Receiving, storing, and transforming fluids for excretion is the function of the Bladder. If water transport fails, internal accumulation causes wheezing and distension, and external overflow causes edema; this is a Sanjiao disease. If reception and transformation fail, various stranguries, painful urination, and retention occur; this is a Bladder disease. The Classics state: Yin cannot generate without Yang; Yang cannot transform without Yin. Thus, excess in either Yin or Yang disrupts generation and transformation. Yang excess and Yin deficiency leading to Bladder Qi failure in transformation indicate Tongguan Wan (Pass the Gate Pill). Yin excess and Yang deficiency leading to Bladder Qi failure in transformation indicate Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill). These relate to diseases of Qi transformation and Yin-Yang imbalance. The Classics state: Lower deficiency leads to enuresis. Also: Bladder lack of restraint leads to enuresis. Also: Heat transferring from the uterus to the bladder causes retention. Also: Bladder obstruction leads to retention. Thus, deficiency-cold patterns result in inability to restrain storage; excess-heat patterns result in inability to discharge. Bladder Qi deficiency with insufficient Qi to consolidate leads to unrestrained leakage, indicating Buzhong Guzhen Tang (Tonify Middle and Secure True Decoction). Bladder Qi heat with stagnation and obstruction leads to retention and inability to discharge, causing strangury and retention, indicating Bazheng San and Wulin San. These involve not only Qi transformation but also deficiency-cold and excess-heat pathologies. Both Bazheng San and Wulin San treat strangury and retention, differing in severity. For mild cases where heat is not yet bound, despite symptoms like painful urination, red urine, bean-jice urine, stones, pus-blood, and retention, if pain is mild and urgency low, Wulin San is suitable to simply clear the water passage. Gardeniae Fructus and Poria clear heat and promote water flow; Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Red Peony Root nourish Yin and transform Yang; Glycyrrhizae Radix tip harmonizes Yin-Yang, targeting the anterior orifice. For severe cases where heat has bound, with intense pain, urgency, and concomitant constipation, Bazheng San is suitable to purge both anterior and posterior orifices. Thus, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is added among herbs targeting the anterior orifice to directly attack the posterior orifice. Zhu Danxi’s addition of Costi Rhizoma aims to facilitate Qi transformation.

Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder): Treats Liver Blood deficiency with hyperactive fire, causing headache, dizziness, irritability, red face, bitter taste, fatigue, thirst, depression, hypochondriac pain, alternating chills and fever, heavy sensation in the lower abdomen, irregular menstruation in women, and a wiry, large, and deficient pulse.
Paeoniae Radix Alba (wine-fried), Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (fried), Poria, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (roasted), Bupleuri Radix [each 2 qian].
Add three slices of baked ginger and a little Mint (Bohe) for decoction and administration.
Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) is this formula plus Moutan Cortex and Gardeniae Fructum (fried) [each 0.5 fen].

[Collected Notes] Zhao Yuhuang stated: The Five Zang organs have specific preferences and aversions regarding tonification and purgation. It is said: The Liver suffers from tension; eat sweet flavors to relax it. The Liver is naturally tense and prone to anger; its Qi moves smoothly upward but stagnates downward. Stagnation generates fire and produces various diseases.
Thus, manifesting upwards, it causes dizziness, tinnitus, and sometimes red eyes. Manifesting in the middle, it causes chest fullness, hypochondriac pain, and sometimes acid regurgitation. Manifesting downwards, it causes lower abdominal pain, hernia, and sometimes difficult urination. Manifesting externally, it causes alternating chills and fever, resembling malaria but not quite. All these symptoms are manifestations of Liver Qi stagnation. The reasons for Liver Wood stagnation are twofold: one is Spleen Earth deficiency failing to raise Liver Wood; the other is Blood deficiency failing to nourish the Liver. Liver Wood relies on Earth for nourishment and Water for irrigation. If Middle Earth is weak, Wood does not rise and stagnates. If Yin Blood is scant, Liver does not receive nourishment and withers. The formula uses Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Poria to strengthen Earth to raise Wood; Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Paeoniae Radix Alba to enrich Ying Blood and nourish the Liver. Mint resolves heat; Licorice Harmonizes the Middle. Only Bupleuri Radix serves as the messenger for the Jueyin Liver Meridian and raises all Yang. The Classics say: When Wood is stagnant, extend it. Following its flexible nature, it is named Xiaoyao (Free and Easy Wanderer). For internal or external heat excess, add Moutan Cortex to resolve muscle heat and fried Gardeniae Fructum to clear internal heat; this is the meaning of Jiawei Xiaoyao San.

Longdan Xiegan Tang (Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction): Treats hypochondriac pain, bitter taste, deafness, ear swelling, tendon flaccidity, genital dampness, itching/swelling of genitals, leukorrhea, and hematuria.
Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma (wine-fried), Scutellariae Radix (fried), Gardeniae Fructum (wine-fried), Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie), Tetrapanacis Medulla, Plantaginis Semen, Angelicae Sinensis Radix (wine-rinsed), Bupleuri Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix (wine-fried).
Decoct in water and take orally.

[Note] Hypochondriac pain, bitter taste, deafness, and ear swelling are diseases of the Gallbladder Meridian. Tendon flaccidity, genital dampness, itching/swelling, leukorrhea, and hematuria are diseases of the Liver Meridian. Therefore, Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma drains Liver-Gallbladder fire; Bupleuri Radix acts as the Liver messenger; Glycyrrhizae Radix relieves Liver tension; assisted by Scutellariae Radix, Gardeniae Fructum, Tetrapanacis Medulla, Alismatis Rhizoma, and Plantaginis Semen to strongly promote urination, providing an outlet for damp-heat. However, these are all Liver-draining herbs; if the pathogen is completely eliminated, the Liver itself might be damaged. Therefore, Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Rehmanniae Radix are added to tonify Blood and nourish the Liver. The Liver stores Blood; tonifying Blood is equivalent to tonifying the Liver. The subtlety lies in using Liver-draining agents to act as Liver-nourishing medicines, embodying the strategy of conquest and pacification.

Zuojin Wan (Left Metal Pill): Treats Liver Fire excess causing pain in the left hypochondrium.
Coptidis Rhizoma (fried, 6 liang), Evodiae Fructus (soaked in hot water, 1 liang).
Grind into powder and make pills.

[Collected Notes] Hu Tianxi stated: This is the orthodox formula for draining Liver Fire. There are several treatments for the Liver: If Water deficiency fails to generate Wood, use Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), based on the principle that Liver and Kidney share the same source. If Earth deficiency fails to support Wood, use Ginseng, Poria, and Licorice preparations to soothe the Liver and strengthen Earth. If the primary channel has Blood deficiency with fire, use Xiaoyao San to clear fire; if Blood deficiency lacks Water, use Siwu Tang to nourish Yin. Methods to tonify Fire align with the Kidney; methods to drain Fire resemble the Heart. Zuojin Wan uses Coptidis Rhizoma as the sovereign herb alone, following the "drain the son when the mother is excess" principle to directly curb its flaming upward tendency. Evodiae Fructus seeks similarity, guides heat downward, and uses its acrid-dry nature to open Liver stagnation and counteract resistance, serving as the assistant herb. This is suitable only for patients with strong constitutional Qi and non-deficient Earth. "Left Metal" means Wood (Liver) on the left is controlled by Metal (Lung/Intestine).

Xieqing Wan (Drain Blue Pill): Treats Liver Fire and Wind-Heat causing inability to sleep, frequent fright and anger, red and swollen painful eyes, and pediatric acute fright convulsions.
Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma, Gardeniae Fructum, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (steam-steamed with wine), Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng).
Equal parts, make honey pills, take with Bamboo Leaf Decoction.

[Note] Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma enters the Liver Meridian directly to drain fire; assisted by Gardeniae Fructum and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, the drained fire exits via large and small intestines, addressing the branch of fire. The Liver governs Wind; Wind generates fire. Treating the Liver without addressing Wind is incorrect. Therefore, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix and Saposhnikoviae Radix disperse Liver Wind, thereby dispersing Liver Fire, addressing the root of fire. The Liver’s nature prefers dispersion, so Chuanxiong Rhizoma’s acridity is used to disperse it. The Liver’s substance prefers moistening, so Angelicae Sinensis Radix’s moistening property is used to nourish it. This embeds Liver-nourishing intent within Liver-draining action. Draining the Liver treats Liver disease; nourishing the Liver pleases the Liver spirit. Liver Wood governs Spring, the beginning of Yang rising and movement, the source of all life generation; it must not be damaged.

Danggui Longhui Wan (Angelica and Gentian Pill): Treats Liver Meridian excess fire causing dizziness, vertigo, deafness, tinnitus, palpitations, convulsions, restlessness, mania, constipation, difficult urination, chest/hypochondriac pain, and scrotal swelling. Suitable for all Liver Meridian excess fire patterns.