Huang Long Tang  黄龙汤
Yellow Dragon Decoction
Picture

Tradition:


TCM

Source / Author:


Shang Han Liu Shu (Six Texts on Cold-Induced Disorders), 1445

Herb Name

Da Huang (Rhubarb root)
Mang Xiao
(Mirabilite)
Zhi Shi
(Unripe Bitter Orange)
Hou Po (Magnolia bark)
Ren Shen (Ginseng)
Dang Gui (Chinese angelica)
Zhi Gan Cao (Fried Licorice)

Latin


Rheum palmatum
Mirabilitum
Citrus aurantium
Magnolia officinalis
Panax ginseng
Angelica sinensis
Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Amount


6–12 grams
6–9 grams
9 grams
9 grams
6 grams
9 grams
3 grams


Preparation:


Boil the herbs in 2 bowls of water with 3 slices of fresh Ginger and 2 Jujubes (Da Zao) until half is gone, adding a little Platycodon Jie Geng towards the end.

Function:


Purges Heat, tonifies Qi and Blood

Use:


Interior Heat with Qi and Blood deficiency. with Constipation with passage of clear, watery mucus, adbominal pain and hardness, abdominal pain that worsens with pressure, low energy, weak voice, maybe with thirst and (low) fever, a dryish yellow or blackish tongue coat with a weak pulse.
1. Constipation
2. Intestinal obstruction
3. Post-operative Gastrointestinal dysfunction and Constipation


Dose:


Take the above as a dose.

Cautions:


1. Not used during pregnancy
2. Not used in cold and weak patients
3. Not used for mild or occasional Constipation.
4. Not used for more than a few days without a break in treatment.


Modifications:


1. In the old or weak, decrease the amount of Mirabilite.
2. If the Qi deficiency is not as severe, Codonopsis can be used instead of Ginseng.
3. For dry mouth and cracked lips, add Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong and Figwort (Xuan Shen)
4. More abdominal discomfort and bloating, add Costus (Mu Xiang)

Similar Formulas:


Da Cheng Qi Tang

1. Gall Bladder infection: Effective for acute cases in clinical trials.
2. Cholecystitis: Effective  in clinical trials with appropriate additions.
3. Tetanus: with Cicada Slouygh (Chan Tui) added it has been used successfully for mild-to-moderate Tetanus.
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