BAI TOU WENG TANG

Clear Heat & Resolve Toxicity • Intestinal Dysenteric Formula

Symptoms / Indications:

Dysenteric diarrhea with more blood than pus (often described as "red and white" stools)

Severe abdominal pain and tenesmus (a constant, heavy urge to defecate with difficulty passing stool)

Burning sensation around the anus after bowel movements

Thirst with a desire to drink cold water

Key Indicator: Intense localized heat and "toxic" inflammation in the colon, leading to the erosion of the intestinal lining

Red tongue with a yellow, possibly greasy coating; Pulse is rapid and either wiry or slippery

Ingredients:

Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatillae Radix)

Raw Herbs: * | Granulates: 15.1g (Commonly dosed higher as the Chief)

Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma)

Raw Herbs: 6g | Granulates: 6.1g

Huang Bai (Phellodendri Cortex)

Raw Herbs: 6g | Granulates: 6.1g

Qin Pi (Fraxini Cortex)

Raw Herbs: * | Granulates: 6.1g 

Posology

Granules: 3 to 9g per day after main meals, diluted in hot water.

Raw Plants: Boil in 1000ml of water and drink 1 to 3 cups per day. In acute cases, the dosage of the Chief herb (Bai Tou Weng) is sometimes increased under practitioner supervision.

Description

Bai Tou Weng Tang, or "Pulsatilla Decoction," is the gold standard for treating "Damp-Heat Dysentery" that has transformed into a deeper "Heat Toxin." Unlike standard diarrhea caused by cold or simple dampness, this condition involves intense inflammation and infection of the lower intestines.
Bai Tou Weng is the Chief herb. It is exceptionally powerful at clearing Heat Toxin from the Blood level specifically within the colon. It addresses the root cause of the infection and stops the bleeding.
Huang Lian acts as a Deputy. It is extremely bitter and cold, specializing in clearing heat and drying dampness in the Stomach and Intestines. It is particularly effective at stopping the "burning" sensation and disinfecting the gut.
Huang Bai also acts as a Deputy, focusing its heat-clearing and damp-drying energy on the Lower Burner (the intestines and bladder), providing a comprehensive "clearing" effect from the middle to the bottom of the torso.
Qin Pi (Fraxinus/Ash Bark) is the Assistant. It has an astringent quality that helps "bind" the intestines to stop the leakage of blood and mucus, while also contributing to the overall heat-clearing effect.

Together, these four bitter and cold herbs work synergistically to "drain" the heat downward, resolve the toxicity causing the infection, and alleviate the painful straining (tenesmus) by cooling the blood in the rectum.

Contraindications

Strictly contraindicated for diarrhea caused by Spleen and Stomach deficiency (Cold-type diarrhea) or "Chronic Thin" stools without heat signs. This formula is very bitter and cold; prolonged use can damage the Spleen Qi. Discontinue once the acute dysenteric symptoms resolve. Consult a practitioner before use.