GE GEN HUANG QIN HUANG LIAN TANG

Release the Exterior & Clear Interior Heat • Damp-Heat Rectification

Symptoms

Acute "Heat" Diarrhea: Sudden onset of diarrhea that is foul-smelling, explosive, and often accompanied by a burning sensation in the anus.

Fever & Dysentery: High fever, sweating that does not resolve the fever, and intense thirst for cold water.

Irritability: Extreme restlessness and a sensation of "glomus" (stuffiness) or burning in the epigastrium and chest.

Lingering Exterior: Possible stiff neck and upper back, or a slight aversion to wind, indicating the pathogen is still partially on the surface.

Key Indicator: "Heat Forcing the Path Downward"—where internal heat is so intense it "pushes" the fluids and waste out of the body rapidly, bypassing normal absorption.

Tongue: Red body with a thick, yellow coating.

Pulse: Rapid (Shu) and possibly Floating (Fu) or Slippery (Hua).

Ingredients

Ge Gen (Puerariae Radix)

Raw Herbs: 51.3g | Granulates: 51.4g

Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix)

Raw Herbs: 17.9g | Granulates: 18.0g

Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma)

Raw Herbs: 15.4g | Granulates: 15.5g

Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix Preparata)

Raw Herbs: 15.4g | Granulates: 15.5g

Posology

Granules

3 to 9g daily, divided into 2–3 doses, taken with warm water.

Raw Plants

Decoct in 1000ml of water. Note: In the traditional Shanghan Lun preparation, Ge Gen is boiled first to maximize its ability to "lift" the clear Yang and resolve the exterior.

Description

Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang is a "Descending-Ascending" masterpiece. It clears the fire below while lifting the energy above.

The Lifting Chief (Ge Gen): At this high dose, Ge Gen performs two critical tasks. First, it releases the exterior and relieves the stiff neck. Second, it "lifts the Clear Yang" of the Spleen, which physically helps stop the diarrhea by moving the energy upward.

The Fire-Extinguishing Pair (Huang Lian & Huang Qin): These are the "Bitters." Huang Lian clears heat specifically from the Heart and Stomach (stopping the irritability and burning), while Huang Qin clears heat from the Lungs and Gallbladder. Together, they dry the dampness and kill the "Toxin" causing the diarrhea.

The Harmonizer (Zhi Gan Cao): It protects the Stomach Qi from the extremely bitter nature of the other herbs and prevents the "Heat" from damaging the body's fluids further.

Cautions

Strictly contraindicated for diarrhea due to Spleen Cold (watery, odorless stools, pale tongue, cold limbs). This formula is exceptionally cold and bitter; using it for a "Cold" stomach flu will cause the digestion to collapse. Not for long-term use; once the fever and foul-smelling diarrhea have stopped, the formula should be discontinued to protect the Spleen Yin.