Huang Lian Tang  黄连汤
Coptis Decoction

Tradition:


TCM

Source / Author:


Discussion of Cold-induced Disorders (Shang Han Lun)

Herb Name

Huang Lian (Coptis)
Zhi Gan Cao (Licorice fried)
Gan Jiang (Ginger)
Gui Zhi (Cinnamon twig)
Ban Xia (Pinellia)
Ren Shen (Ginseng)
Da Zao (Jujube)

Latin


Coptis chinensis
Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Zingiber officinalis
Cinnamonum cassia
Pinellia ternata
Panax ginseng
Zizyphus jujuba

Amount


6–9 grams



9 grams
6 grams
4 pieces

Preparation:


Prepare a standard decoction (in 10 cups of water down to 6 cups)
Coptis is originally ordered in a dose of 9 grams in the original text, but this is usually reduced to 6 grams.
Codonopsis Dang Shen typically replaces Ginseng in a dose of 15 grams, or Ginseng powder can be taken along with the Decoction in a dose of 1–2 grams. Originally 12 Jujubes were ordered, but usually 4 are used today.

Function:


Balances Heat and Cold, Harmonizes the Stomach, Causes Qi to Descend

Use:


Heat in the Lungs with Cold in the Stomach with chest distress, nausea, abdominal pain and a greasy tongue coating
1. Gastritis
2. Acid reflux
3. Epigastric pain
4. Gastroduodenal Ulcer
5. Hangover
6. Food Poisoning

Dose:


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

Cautions:


Not used in Yin deficiency

Modifications:


1. Constipation, add Rhubarb (Da Huang)
2. Watery Diarrhea, add Atractylodes Bai Zhu and Poria Fu Ling
3. Intestinal Pain and Cramping, add Costus (Mu Xiang)
4. Abdominal pain and Cramping, add Paeonia Bai Shao and Citrus Chen Pi

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