Da Huang Mu Dan Tang 大黄牡丹湯
Rhubarb and Moutan Decoction

Tradition:

TCM

Source / Author:

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (Jin Gui Yao He)

Herb Name Da Huang (Rhubarb) Mang Xiao (Mirabilite) Mu Dan Pi (Tree Peony) Tao Ren (Peach kernel) Dong Gua Ren (Wax Gourd seed)

Latin Rheum palmatum Sodium sulphate Paeonia suffriticosa Prunus persica Benincasa hispida Amount 9–12 grams 9–12 grams 6–9 grams 9–15 grams 5–30 grams

Preparation:

Prepare a standard decoction with the herbs, adding Mirabilite to the strained decoction.
For a purging effect, Rhubarb is often added at the end of boiling. However, in this case, the Rhubarb is decocted with the other herbs to increase its blood-moving effect.

Function:

Purges Heat, Resolves Blood Stasis, reduces Swellings

Use:

Lower abdominal distention and pain, yellow greasy tongue coating, rapid and slippery pulse.
1. Intestinal Abscess
2. Acute (uncomplicated) Appendicitis
3. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
4. Abdominal or Pelvic Lymphadenitis
5. Hemorrhoids
6. Dysmenorrhea
7. Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Dose:

The above decoction is divided into 3 equal doses to be taken over the course of a day.

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. High Fever, add Coptis Huang Lian
2. Intestinal Abscess, add Violet (Di Hua Di Ding), Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), Lonicera Jin Yin Hua
3. Severe pain add Costus Mu Xiang and Corydalis Yan Hu Suo

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