Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang 犀角地黄汤
Rhino Horn and Rehmannia Decoction

Tradition:


TCM

Source / Author:


Thousand Ducat Formulas (Qian Jin Yao Fang)

Herb Name

Xi Jiao (Rhino horn) *
Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia)
Chi Shao Yao (Red Peony)
Mu Dan Pi (Tree Peony root bark)

Latin


Rhinoceros unicornis
Rehmannia glutinosa
Paeonia
veitchii
Paeonia suffriticosa

Amount


3 grams
24 grams
9 grams
6 grams

* Water Buffalo horn is used today in place of Rhino horn.

Preparation:


Grind to a coarse powder and boil to form a decoction.
Today, it is geenrally decocted without grinding the herbs first. In that case, the doses of all herbs may be increased.
If prepared as a standard decoction, 30–60 grams of Water Buffalo horn shavings can be boiled for 20 minutes before adding the other herbs. Concentrated extracts of 10:1 Water Buffalo horn are now available. This can be used in the same dose as Rhino horn.

Function:


Clears Strong Heat, Resists Toxin, Cools the Blood, Stops Bleeding, Moves the Blood, Nourishes Yin

Use:


Fever, Bleeding, Thirst, deep red tongue, and a thin, rapid pulse. Used for when Heat has penetrated to the Blood level.
1. Bleeding from Fever or strong Heat
2. High Fever with thirst and dry mouth
3. Meningitis
4. Encephalitis
5. Septicemia, Toxemia
6. Thrombocytopenic Purpura
7. Acute Leukemia
8. Mania


Dose:


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

Cautions:


1. Not used in Cold conditions
2. Not used for Bleeding from Deficiency

Modifications:


1. Paeonia Chi Shao Yao (Red Peony) is better to clear Blood Heat and resolve Blood Stasis. If the Yin and fluids are more damaged, Paeonia Bai Shao (White Peony) can be substituted.
2. As noted above, Water Buffalo horn is used in place of Rhino horn today.
3. Blood in the stool, add Burnet (Di Yu)
4. Severe Bleeding, add Notoginseng San Qi
5. Bleeding from Heat along with severe Qi deficiency, add Astragalus Huang Qi and Ginseng.
6. Mania, add Scutellaria Huang Qin, Rhubarb (Da Huang)
7. High Fever with Delirium, take with An Gong Niu Huang Wan.

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