Contents
Long Dan Xie Gan Wan
Traditional therapeutic uses
Main indications: conjunctivitis, labial or genital herpes, ear infection, hyperthyroidism, headache, shingles, eczema.
In Chinese energy, this preparation is used in the cases of Heat and Fullness in the Liver and Gallbladder, of Heat Humidity in the lower hearth.
Associated symptoms : choleric temper, dark urine, bitter mouth, shortened menstrual cycles with red and purple blood, red tongue, yellow coating.
Dosage
As this formula comes in different forms and concentrations, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. Cannot be used long term.
Comments
Important personal problems, a fatty and sugary diet, alcohol abuse and infection will cause hyperfunction of the liver. The Liver Fire assails the head, causing headache, dizziness, redness of the face and eyes. Liver Fire causes nervousness and irritation, causing sleep disturbances and nightmares. Constipation and dark urine reflect the dryness of internal fluids. A very popular formula for treating viral infections in the acute phases.
History
This formula is cited in the volume Yi Fang Ji Jie, collection and analysis of medical formulas written by the famous doctor Wang Ang | in 1682.
Cons-indications
- This formula can injure the Spleen and Stomach; it should therefore not be taken in large doses and over a long period. It should also not be taken if there is already a drying up of the body fluids.
Precautions
- Mu Tong, one of the ingredients of the formula, is the stem ofAristolochia manshuriensis. The US FDA has issued a warning on products that may contain aristolochic acid.1
- Products using any of the following plants can be found as a replacement forAristolochia : Clematis armandii, Clematis montana, Akebia trifoliata, Akebia quinata.
Composition
Nom en pin yin | Pharmaceutical name | Therapeutic actions |
Long Dan Cao | Radix gentiane scabrae (racine de gentian) | Drains Heat and Moisture from the Liver and Gallbladder |
Zhi Zi | Fruit gardeniae JASMINOIDES (gardenia fruit) | Drains Heat and Moisture from the Liver and Gallbladder |
Ze Xie | Rhizoma alimatis Plantago-aquaticae (rhizome of water plantain) | Expels Heat, diuretic, drains Heat and Moisture |
Mu Tong | Stem Mutong (stem ofAkebia or Clematis) | Expels Heat, diuretic, drains Heat and Moisture |
Che Qian Zi | Plantaginis semen (plantain seed) | Expels Heat, diuretic, drains Heat and Moisture |
Chai Hu | Radix bupleurum (buplévre root) | Clarifies the Heat of the Liver, regulates the Energy of the Liver |
Dang Gui | Radix Angelica sinensis (angelica root) | Nourishes the Blood, Tones the Liver |
Sheng Di Huang | Radix rehmanniae glutinosae (Chinese foxglove root)2 | Nourishes the Blood, Tones the Liver |
High Liver | Radix glycyrrhizae uralensis (licorice root) | Harmonizes the action of other plants |
On the shelves
The products of the following companies meet the good manufacturing practices ofAustralian Therapeutic Goods Administration, which are considered, at present, to be the highest standards in the world for the evaluation of manufacturing processes of Chinese Pharmacopoeia products.
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Although it does not meet Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration manufacturing standards, the following product has been tested to show that it does not contain pesticides, contaminants, or designer drugs.
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Available in Chinese herbalists, many natural health product stores, as well as distributors of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine equipment.