Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Formula Song: Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang, with Licorice, brew it to taste, when evil traps the Yangming, causing hot dysentery, it clears the interior and resolves the exterior, ensuring health and peace.
Formula Interpretation: This formula heavily relies on Kudzu Root (Ge Gen). It works both to release the exterior and relax muscles, addressing external pathogens, and to promote the upward flow of clear Yang energy, stopping diarrhea and harmonizing both the exterior and interior. Given the intense internal heat, Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin) and Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian) are used to clear this internal heat. Licorice Root (Gan Cao) harmonizes all the herbs. Together, they achieve the comprehensive effects of resolving both exterior and interior issues, clearing heat, and stopping diarrhea.
Usage and Dosage of Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Ingredients:
- Kudzu Root (Ge Gen): 15 grams
- Processed Licorice Root (Gan Cao, honey-fried): 6 grams
- Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin): 9 grams
- Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian): 9 grams
Directions: Combine the four herbs above. Add 800 milliliters of water. First, decoct the Kudzu Root (Ge Gen) alone until the volume reduces to 600 milliliters. Then, add the remaining herbs and continue to decoct until 200 milliliters of liquid remain. Remove the dregs and take the warm decoction in two divided doses. Itβs important to follow these instructions carefully for optimal results.
Functions and Indications of Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Functions: Releases the Exterior and Clears the Interior.
Indications: This formula is primarily used when external pathogenic factors have not been fully resolved, and heat pathogens have already penetrated the interior. Common symptoms include fever, foul-smelling diarrhea, a burning sensation in the anus, epigastric focal distention (a feeling of fullness and discomfort below the heart), vexation and feverishness in the chest and upper abdomen, wheezing with sweating, dry mouth and thirst. The tongue typically has a yellow coating, and the pulse is rapid. This complex pattern often requires a nuanced approach to treatment (PMID: 30348704).
Discussions from Various Schools on Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
1. From "Nei Tai Fang Yi" (Discussion of Formulas from the Inner Terrace): Kudzu Root (Ge Gen) is considered the chief herb, chosen to open the Yangming meridian's fluids and disperse external pathogens. Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian) acts as the deputy, with Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin) as the assistant, to clear heat from the interior Qi, reduce fire, clear metal (Lung energy), and descend rebellious Qi. Licorice Root (Gan Cao) serves as the harmonizer, moderating the formula and coordinating all the herbs. This formula is also effective for severe Yangming heat causing diarrhea and for individuals with heat-induced wheezing dueating to excessive alcohol consumption. Its applications are boundless (PMID: 28551048).
2. From "Shang Han Fu Yi" (Supplements to the Treatise on Cold Damage): The chief herb is Kudzu Root (Ge Gen), which is light in nature but heavy in substance, relaxing muscles and stopping diarrhea. It is assisted by the bitter and cold Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin) and Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian) to stop sweating and alleviate wheezing. Licorice Root (Gan Cao) harmonizes the middle burner. By decocting Kudzu Root (Ge Gen) first before adding the other herbs, its muscle-relaxing effect is enhanced, and the interior-clearing action is sharp, making it distinctly different from methods that simultaneously tonify and dispel pathogens.
3. From "Yi Fang Ji Jie" (Collection of Medical Formulas): This is a formula for the Taiyang and Yangming meridians. When exterior symptoms persist, and a physician mistakenly performs purgation, pathogens can enter the Yangming viscus. This leads to sweating outwards, rebellious Qi causing wheezing upwards, and pathogens sinking downwards causing diarrhea. Therefore, this formula uses Kudzu Root (Ge Gen) instead of Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) to specifically address the Yangming exterior, supplemented with Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin) and Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian) to clear interior heat, and Licorice Root (Gan Cao) to regulate stomach Qi. By treating the underlying pattern, diarrhea stops naturally, and wheezing also resolves on its own. It represents a modified approach for resolving both exterior and interior issues in the Taiyang meridian (PMID: 34293936).
4. From "Gu Fang Xuan Zhu" (Selected Commentaries on Ancient Formulas): This formula is a variation of Xie Xin Tang, treating exterior cold with interior heat. Its essence lies in the potent actions of Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin) and Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian) in thoroughly clearing interior heat. Although Kudzu Root (Ge Gen) is the chief herb and decocted first, its primary role is to open the Yangming fluids. It is assisted by Licorice Root (Gan Cao) to moderate the Yangming Qi, encouraging the stomach Qi to promote the upward and downward movement of the bitter and cold herbs. Clearing heat in the upper body resolves wheezing, and clearing heat in the lower body stops diarrhea. Once interior heat is resolved, external pathogens can no longer linger in the exterior.
For informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before use.
3-Second Self-Check, 30-Second Self-Help!
If you're experiencing a persistent fever with foul-smelling diarrhea, a burning sensation around your anus, and a feeling of fullness in your upper abdomen after catching a cold... Then immediately consider if your body is struggling with external factors pushing heat deep inside. While Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang is a classic remedy for this pattern, you can temporarily soothe the discomfort by ensuring good hydration (warm water or electrolyte drinks) and avoiding spicy or greasy foods that could worsen internal heat. For a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, a consultation with a TCM practitioner is crucial.
