治肝火风热, 不能安卧, 多惊多怒, 目赤肿痛, 及小儿
急惊抽搐.
龙胆草 山栀 大黄 ( 酒蒸 ) 川芎 当归 羌活 防风等分, 蜜
丸,竹叶汤下.
【注】龙胆草直入肝经, 以泻其火, 佐栀子, 大黄, 使其所泻之火,
从大, 小二便而出, 是治火之标也. 肝主风, 风能生火, 治肝不治风
,非其治也. 故用羌活, 防风散肝之风, 即所以散肝之火, 是治火之
本也. 肝之情欲散, 故用川芎之辛以散之. 肝之质喜滋, 故用当归之
濡以润之. 是于泻肝之中, 寓有养肝之意. 泻肝者, 泻肝之病也; 养
肝者, 悦肝之神也. 盖肝木主春, 乃阳升发动之始, 万物生化之源,
不可伤也.
治肝经实火, 头运目眩, 耳聋耳鸣, 惊悸搐溺, 躁
扰狂越, 大便秘结, 小便涩滞, 或胸胁作痛, 阴囊肿胀, 凡属肝经实
火,皆宜服之.
当归一两 黄连一两 黄芩一两 龙胆草一两 栀子仁一两 大黄五
钱 芦荟五钱 青黛五钱 木香二钱五分 黄柏一两 麝香 ( 另研
)五钱, , 右为末, 炒神麴, 糊丸. 每服二十丸, 姜汤下.
【集注】汪昂曰: 肝木为生火之本, 肝火盛则诸经之火相因而起, 为
病不止一端矣. 故以当归芦荟, 龙胆草, 青黛直入本经气血两途, 先
平其甚者, 而诸经之火, 无不渐平矣. 佐以黄芩泻肺火, 黄连泻心火
,黄柏泻肾火, 大黄泻肠胃火, 栀子泻三焦火, 备举大苦大寒而直折
之,使上, 中, 下三焦之火, 悉从大, 小二便利出. 稍加木香, 麝香
者, 取其调气开窍灵通周至也. 然非实火不可轻投.
Treats conditions caused by Liver Fire and Wind-Heat, characterized by inability to sleep peacefully, frequent fright, irritability, redness and swelling of the eyes, as well as convulsions in infants with acute infantile convulsion (Ji Jing).
Longdan Cao (Gentianae Radix), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) steamed with wine, Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), in equal proportions. Make into honey pills, take with Zhu Ye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction).
[Annotation] Longdan Cao enters the Liver Meridian directly to drain its fire. It is assisted by Zhizi and Dahuang to allow the drained fire to exit through the large and small intestines (urine and feces); this treats the branch (symptoms) of the fire. The Liver governs Wind, and Wind can generate Fire; treating the Liver without addressing Wind is not the correct approach. Therefore, Qianghuo and Fangfeng are used to disperse Wind in the Liver, which is also a way to disperse Liver Fire; this treats the root (etiology) of the fire. The nature of the Liver desires dispersion, so the acrid property of Chuanxiong is used to disperse it. The substance of the Liver delights in nourishment/moisture, so the moistening property of Danggui is used to lubricate/nourish it. Thus, within the draining of the Liver, there is an intention to nourish the Liver. "Draining the Liver" refers to draining the disease of the Liver; "nourishing the Liver" refers to pleasing the spirit of the Liver. Since Liver Wood corresponds to Spring, it is the beginning of Yang rising and movement, the source of generation and transformation of all things, and must not be damaged.
Treats excess fire in the Liver Meridian, characterized by dizziness and vertigo, deafness and tinnitus, palpitations and convulsions, restlessness and mania, constipation, dysuria or difficult urination, or pain in the chest and hypochondrium, and scrotal swelling. For any condition belonging to excess fire of the Liver Meridian, this formula is suitable.
Danggui 1 liang, Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) 1 liang, Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) 1 liang, Longdan Cao 1 liang, Zhizi Ren (Gardeniae Semen) 1 liang, Dahuang 5 qian, Lvhua (Aloe) 5 qian, Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) 5 qian, Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) 2.5 qian, Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) 1 liang, Shexiang (Moschus) separately ground 5 qian. Grind the above into powder, use fried Shenqu (Medicated Leaven) paste to make pills. Take 20 pills each time, with Jiang Tang (Ginger Decoction).
[Collected Annotations] Wang Ang stated: Liver Wood is the root of generating fire. When Liver Fire is excessive, fire from other meridians arises consequently, causing diseases that are not limited to one aspect. Therefore, Danggui, Lvhua, Longdan Cao, and Qingdai are used to directly enter the Qi and Blood pathways of the Liver Meridian to first pacify the most severe fire, after which the fire in other meridians will gradually subside. Assisted by Huangqin to drain Lung Fire, Huanglian to drain Heart Fire, Huangbai to drain Kidney Fire, Dahuang to drain Stomach and Intestine Fire, and Zhizi to drain Sanjiao Fire, many bitter and cold herbs are listed to directly suppress the fire, allowing the fire of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Sanjiao to exit completely through urine and feces. A slight addition of Muxiang and Shexiang is taken for their ability to regulate Qi, open orifices, ensure spiritual clarity, and circulate thoroughly. However, this should not be administered lightly unless it is a case of excess fire.