HERB FORMULAS

HUANG LIAN WEN DAN TANG - 黃連溫膽湯 - WARM GALLBLADDER DECOCTION WITH COPTIS

English: Warm Gallbladder Decoction with Coptis
Also Known As: Coptis Decoction for a Warm Gallbladder

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Caulis Bambusae In Taeniam Zhu Ru 2-15 Clears Heat and Phlegm from the Gallbladder and Stomach, cools Blood and descends rebellious Qi.
With Zhi Ban Xia and Zhi Shi, for insomnia, palpitations and irritability due to Phlegm Heat leading to disharmony between the Gallbladder and Stomach with a stifling sensation in the chest and restlessness
With Zhi Ban Xia, Chen Pi and Huang Lian, for .Phlegm-Heat in the Stomach with a stifling feeling in the epigastrium and vomiting.
With Zhi Shi, for Phlegm-Heat obstructing the flow of Qi with focal distention in the chest and epigastrium, hiccup, dry retching, nausea and acid regurgitation and palpitations, irritability, insomnia and emotional problems due to Gallbladder constraint with Phlegm Disturbing the Heart.
With Zhi Ban Xia, Chen , Pi, Zhi Shi and Fu Ling, for Gallbladder Fire with Phlegm.
Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi 1.5-15g Reduces accumulation, descends Qi, transforms Phlegm and reduces distention.
With Chen Pi, strengthens the Middle Jiao.
Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia 6-12g Transforms Phlegm, descends rebellious Qi, harmonizes ST and stops vomiting.
With Chen Pi, for Spleen and Stomach Qi Disharmony with epigastric and abdominal distention or pain.
With Fu Ling, expels Phlegm and stops nausea and vomiting, hiccups, coughs with clear, profuse Phlegm and loose and watery stools, treats Phlegm, thin mucus and turbid Dampness and prevents turbid Phlegm and Dampness from disturbing the Heart with dizziness, palpitations and insomnia.
With Huang Lian, for epigastric distention and indigestion due to a simultaneous invasion of Hot and Cold pathogenic influences into the Stomach.
With Huang Lian and Zhu Ru, for vomiting from Stomach Heat.
Per. Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi 2.5-9g Regulates Qi, tonifies the Spleen, transforms Phlegm and descends Qi.
With Ban Xia, for excessive white, viscous sputum due to Phlegm-Damp Obstruction.
With Sheng Jiang, for manifestations of Stomach Qi Disharmony and Cold-Dampness Obstructing the Middle with nausea and hiccup.
With Zhu Ru and Huang Lian, for Phlegm-Heat induced vomiting.
With Zhi Ban Xia, Zhu Ru and Sheng Jiang, for nausea and vomiting due to rebellious Stomach Qi.
Poria Fu Ling 4.5-12g Resolves Dampness, strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Middle Jiao and transforms Phlegm.
With Zhi Gan Cao, strengthens the Spleen, drains Dampness, harmonizes the Middle Jiao and calms the Shen.
With Chen Pi, for nausea and vomiting due to congested Fluids.
With Zhi Ban Xia and Chen Pi, for nausea, vomiting, chest fullness and distention, and anorexia due to congested fluids.
With Zhi Ban Xia, Chen Pi and Sheng Jiang, for Congested fluids in the Stomach causing nausea and vomiting.
Rx. Glycyrrhizae Zhi Gan Cao 1-3g Resolves Phlegm, clears Heat, tonifies the Spleen and harmonizes and moderates the harsh properties of the other herbs.
Fr. Jujube Da Zao 1-3g Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, augments Qi, protects the Stomach and moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs .
With Sheng Jian, alleviates epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting by strengthening the Spleen.
Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang 1-6g Regulates the relationship between the Gallbladder and the Stomach and assists in stopping vomiting.
With Da Zao, protects the Stomach Qi.
With Zhi Ban Xia, for vomiting due to Cold, Thin Mucus.
With Zhu Ru, for vomiting due to Heat in patients with Stomach Qi Deficiency. .
With Zhu Ru and Huang Lian, for vomiting due to Heat.
With Chen Pi, for Cold-Dampness Obstructing the Middle with nausea and hiccup.
Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian (1-3g) Clears Heart Heat and calms the Shen.

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Regulates Qi
  • Transforms Phlegm
  • Clears the Gallbladder
  • Harmonizes the Stomach
  • Clears Heat

SYNDROMES

  • Phlegm-Fire Disturbs the Heart
  • Gallbladder Deficiency Heat
  • Disharmony Between the Gallbladder and Stomach with Severe Phlegm Heat
  • Qi Level Gallbladder Damp-Heat
  • Toxic Dampness

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Insomnia
  • Dream-disturbed sleep with unusual dreams
  • Palpitations
  • Anxiety
  • Profuse white foamy sputum
  • Restlessness
  • Timidity
  • Indecisiveness
  • Indeterminate gnawing hunger
  • Seizures accompanied by copious sputum
  • Chest distention
  • Expectoration of yellow Phlegm
  • Bitter taste in the mouth
  • Chills and fever
  • Abdominal distention
  • Frequent dark, scanty urine
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Slight thirst
  • Anorexia after serious illness
  • T: Pink or Red tip
  • C: Yellow and greasy
  • P: Slippery and rapid or Wiry and rapid

TREATS

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

  • This formula treats the same conditions as Wen Dan Tang, but with more severe Heat including more restlessness, irritability and a more intense bitter taste.

MODIFICATIONS

For severe vertigo: For insomnia:
+ Rx. Paeoniae Alba Bai Shao + Sm. Zizyphi Spinosae Suan Zao Ren
+ Haematitum Dai Zhe Shi + Concha Ostreae Mu Li
+ Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin + Succinum Hu Po
For tinnitus and hearing loss due to retention of Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder:
For severe insomnia due to Heart and Gallbladder Deficiency:
+ Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu + Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen
+ Ram. cum Uncis Uncariae Gou Teng + Gypsum Fibrosum Shi Gao
+ Flos Chrysanthemi Ju Hua + Tub. Ophiopogonis Mai Men Dong.
+ Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu + Arillus Longan Long Yan Rou
+ Medulla Tetrapanacis Tong Cao + Sm. Zizyphi Spinosae Suan Zao Ren
For Summer Heat and Dampness:
For pacifying the Heart and calming the Shen:
+ Hb. Artemisiae Annuae Qing Hao + Sm. Zizyphi Spinosae Suan Zao Ren
+ Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin + Rx. Polygalae Yuan Zhi
For nourishing Yin and subduing Yang:
For a dry mouth and tongue:
+ Fossilia Ossis Mastodi Long Gu - Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia
+ Concha Ostreae Mu Li + Rx. Ophiopogonis Mai Men Dong
For dark, yellow urine and dysuria:
+ Rx. Trichosanthis Tian Hua Fen
+ Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae Yin Chen Hao + Fr. Schisandrae Wu Wei Zi
+ Medulla Tetrapanacis Tong Cao
For vomiting:
For nausea, vomiting and chest oppression:
+ Fol. Perillae Zi Su Ye
+ Hb. Agastaches Huo Xiang
For insomnia due to Excess worries:
+ Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu
+ Rambling Powder
Xiao Yao San
For insomnia due to depression:
For insomnia due to fear and fright:
+ Escape Restraint Pill
Yue Ju Wan
+ Sm. Zizyphi Spinosae Suan Zao Ren
For palpitations:
For epilepsy:
+ Rx. Polygalae Yuan Zhi + Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin
+ Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu + Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu
For epilepsy and convulsions:
For hearing difficulty due to Damp-Heat Attacking the Gallbladder channel:
+ Arisaemae cum Bile Dan Nan Xing + Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu
+ Ram. Uncariae cum Uncis Gou Teng + Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin
+ Scorpio Quan Xie + Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu
For dizziness and vertigo:
+ Medulla Tetrapanacis Tong Cao
+ Flos Chrysanthemi Ju Hua
For Toxic Dampness:
+ Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin + 12g Sm. Plantaginis Che Qian Zi
For insomnia due to Phlegm Accumulation in the Stomach:
+ 30g Rz. Imperatae Bai Mao Gen
+ 6g Caulis Akebiae Mu Tong
+ Caulis Polygoni Multiflori Ye Jiao Teng + 6g Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang
For constipation:
+ Rx. Polygalae Yuan Zhi + Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang
For Food Stagnation:
For Kidney failure (uremia):
+ Preserve Harmony Pill
Bao He wan
- Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi
+ 9g Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke
For Kidney failure (uremia) with diarrhea:
 - Fr. Jujube Da Zao
- Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi - Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao
+ 9g Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke + 6g Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
- Fr. Jujube Da Zao + 3g Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang
- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao
For Kidney failure (uremia) with edema:
+ 6g Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian - Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi
For Kidney failure (uremia) with Shen disturbance:
 + 9g Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke
- Fr. Jujube Da Zao
- Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi - Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao
+ 9g Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke + 6g Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
- Fr. Jujube Da Zao + 3g Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang
- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao + 15g Sm. Plantaginis Che Qian Zi
+ 6g Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian + 15g Polyporus Zhu Ling
+ 3g Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang
For trigeminal neuralgia:
+ 12g Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu - Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang
+ 12g Rz. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong
+ 12g Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin + 12g Rz. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo
For trigeminal neuralgia with severe Heat:
 + 9g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
- Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang + 9g Rz. Gastrodiae Tian Ma
+ 12g Rz. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong + 9g Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Dan Shen
+ 12g Rz. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo
+ 9g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing + 6g Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
+ 9g Rz. Gastrodiae Tian Ma
For trigeminal neuralgia with severe Heat:
+ 9g Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Dan Shen - Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang
+ 12g Rz. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong
+ 6g Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian + 12g Rz. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo
+ 9g Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin + 9g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
+ 5g Concretion Silicea Bambusae Tian Zhu Huang + 9g Rz. Gastrodiae Tian Ma
+ 9g Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Dan Shen
For bronchitis due to Phlegm-Fire:
+ 9g Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin + 6g Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
+ 30g Fr. Trichosanthis Gua Lou + 9g Rz. Anemarrhenae Zhi Mu
For severe bronchitis due to Phlegm-Fire:
 + 20g Gypsum Fibrosum Shi Gao
+ 9g Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin
For bronchitis due to Phlegm-Fire with irritability and insomnia:
+ 30g Fr. Trichosanthis Gua Lou
+ 9g Pumice Fu Hai Shi + 9g Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin
+ 9g Concha Cyclinae Ge Qiao + 30g Fr. Trichosanthis Gua Lou
For bronchitis due to Phlegm-Fire with damaged Fluids:
+ Cinnabar Pill to Calm the Spirit
Zhu Sha An Shen Wan
+ 9g Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin
For bronchitis due to Phlegm-Fire with constipation:
+ 30g Fr. Trichosanthis Gua Lou
+ 12g Rx. Rehmanniae Sheng Di Huang + 9g Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin
+ 9g Rx. Ophiopogonis Mai Men Dong + 30g Fr. Trichosanthis Gua Lou
+ 12g Rx. Scrophulariae Xuan Shen + 6-9g Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang
For hypertension:
or
- Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi + 9g Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin
- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao + 30g Fr. Trichosanthis Gua Lou
- Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
+ Vaporize Phlegm Pill
Gun Tan Wan
+ 15g Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao
+ 12g Sm. Cassiae Jue Ming Zi
For hypertension with Liver Fire:
+ 12g Hb. Siegesbeckiae Xi Xian Cao - Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi
- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao
+ 9g Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin - Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
+ 9g Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu + 15g Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao
+ 12g Sm. Cassiae Jue Ming Zi
+ 6g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing + 12g Hb. Siegesbeckiae Xi Xian Cao
For hypertension with severe Phlegm Fire:
- Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi + 9g Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin
- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao + 9g Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu
+ 15g Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao
+ 12g Sm. Cassiae Jue Ming Zi + 6g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
+ 12g Hb. Siegesbeckiae Xi Xian Cao + 9g Fr. Gardeniae Zhi Zi
+ 9g Ram. cum Uncis Uncariae Gou Teng
+ 9g Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin
+ 9g Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu
For hypertension with constipation:
- Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi
+ 6g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing - Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao
For hypertension with severe dizziness:
 - Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
- Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi + 15g Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao
- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao + 12g Sm. Cassiae Jue Ming Zi
- Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian + 12g Hb. Siegesbeckiae Xi Xian Cao
+ 15g Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao
+ 12g Sm. Cassiae Jue Ming Zi + 9g Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin
+ 12g Hb. Siegesbeckiae Xi Xian Cao + 9g Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu
+ 9g Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin + 6g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
+ 9g Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu + 6g Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang
For hypertension with numbness of the upper extremities:
+ 6g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
+ 15g Concha Margaritaferae Zhen Zhu Mu - Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi
- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao
For hypertension with numbness of the lower extremities:
 - Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
+ 15g Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao
- Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi + 12g Sm. Cassiae Jue Ming Zi
- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao + 12g Hb. Siegesbeckiae Xi Xian Cao
- Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian + 9g Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin
+ 15g Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao + 9g Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu
+ 12g Sm. Cassiae Jue Ming Zi
+ 12g Hb. Siegesbeckiae Xi Xian Cao + 6g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
+ 9g Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin + 9g Pheretima Di Long
+ 9g Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu + 9g Ram. Mori Sang Zhi
For hypertension with neck rigidity:
+ 6g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing - Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi
+ 9g Pheretima Di Long - Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao
+ 9g Rx. Cyathulae Chuan Niu Xi - Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
For hypertension with chest pain:
 + 15g Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao
- Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi + 12g Sm. Cassiae Jue Ming Zi
- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao + 12g Hb. Siegesbeckiae Xi Xian Cao
- Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
+ 15g Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao + 9g Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin
+ 12g Sm. Cassiae Jue Ming Zi + 9g Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu
+ 12g Hb. Siegesbeckiae Xi Xian Cao
+ 9g Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin + 6g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
+ 9g Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu + 15g Rx. Puerariae Ge Gen
For susceptibility to fright with Liver Qi Stagnation:
+ 6g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
+ 20g Fr. Trichosanthis Gua Lou + 6g Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu
+ 9g Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin + 6g Fr. Toosendan Chuan Lian Zi
For susceptibility to fright with vomiting:
For severe susceptibility to fright:
+ 6g Ginger-processed Fol. Eriobotryae Pi Pa Ye + 12g Concha Ostreae Mu Li
+ 12g Fossilia Ossis Mastodi Long Gu
+ more Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam Zhu Ru
For insomnia:
For insomnia with constipation:
 + 9g wine mix-fried Rx. Scutellariae Jiu Chao Huang Qin
+ 9g wine mix-fried Rx. Scutellariae Jiu Chao Huang Qin
For insomnia with palpitations:
+ 9g Sm. Trichosanthis Gua Lou Ren + 9g wine mix-fried Rx. Scutellariae Jiu Chao Huang Qin
+ 6g Rx. et Ra. Rhei Da Huang
For insomnia with Food Stagnation and Stomach disharmony:
 + 15g Concha Margaritaferae Zhen Zhu Mu
- Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia + 15g calcined Dens Draconis Long Chi
+ 6-12g Pinellia Massa Medicata Fermentata Ban Xia Qu
For insomnia with vertigo:
+ 9g wine mix-fried Rx. Scutellariae Jiu Chao Huang Qin
+ 9g wine mix-fried Rx. Scutellariae Jiu Chao Huang Qin
+ 9g Arisaemae cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
+ 10g Sm. Panici Miliacei Shu Mi + scorched Rz. Gastrodiae Tian Ma
For nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea:
+ Arisaemae cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
For subarachnoid hemorrhage:
+ 9g Sm. Plantaginis Che Qian Zi - Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao
+ 20g calcined Concha Ostreae Duan Mu Li - Rz. Zingiberis Sheng Jiang
- Fr. Jujube Da Zao
For subarachnoid hemorrhage without constipation:
 + 9g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
+ 9g Sm. Plantaginis Che Qian Zi
- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao + 9g Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang
- Rz. Zingiberis Sheng Jiang + 9g Scorpio Quan Xie
- Fr. Jujube Da Zao + 9g Scolopendra Wu Gong
+ 9g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing + 9g Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu
+ 9g Sm. Plantaginis Che Qian Zi
For subarachnoid hemorrhage with marked Blood Stagnation:
+ 9g Scorpio Quan Xie
+ 9g Scolopendra Wu Gong - Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao
+ 9g Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu - Rz. Zingiberis Sheng Jiang
For insomnia with palpitations and restlessness:
 - Fr. Jujube Da Zao
+ Magnetitum Ci Shi + 9g Arisaema cum Bile Dan Nan Xing
+ Dens Draconis Long Chi + 9g Sm. Plantaginis Che Qian Zi
+ Concha Margaritaferae Zhen Zhu Mu + 9g Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang
+ 9g Scorpio Quan Xie
For insomnia due to Phlegm and Food Accumulation in the Stomach:
 + 9g Scolopendra Wu Gong
+ 9g Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu
+ 40g Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia + 9g Sm. Persicae Tao Ren
+ 9g Flos Carthami Hong Hua
+ 50g Sm. Panici Miliacei Shu Mi + 9g Rx. Paeoniae Rubra Chi Shao
+ Massa Fermentata Shen Qu
+ Fr. Crataegi Shan Zha    
+ Sm Raphani Lai Fu Zi