HUANG LIAN E JIAO TANG

Heart–Kidney Harmonizing • Deficiency Heat Clearing • Shen-Calming Formula

Symptoms

Severe Insomnia: Inability to fall asleep or waking frequently with a racing mind.

Mental Agitation: Extreme irritability, restlessness, and a "tossing and turning" sensation.

Palpitations: A rapid or forceful heartbeat, often worse when trying to rest.

Night Sweats & Tidal Fever: Low-grade heat sensations that peak in the evening.

Dryness: Parched mouth and throat, especially at night.

Key Indicator: "Heart and Kidney Not Interacting"—the patient feels physically exhausted (Kidney Yin deficiency) but mentally wired and "manic" (Heart fire).

Tongue: Deep red body, often with a redder tip and little to no coating; Pulse: Thin and very rapid.

Ingredients

Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma)

Raw Herbs: 12g | Granulates: 36.3g

E Jiao (Asini Corii Colla)

Raw Herbs: 9g | Granulates: 27.3g

Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix)

Raw Herbs: 6g | Granulates: 18.2g

Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba)

Raw Herbs: 6g | Granulates: 18.2g

Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk)

Traditionally 2 yolks (added to the final strained decoction).

Posology

Granules: 3–9g daily, divided into 1–3 doses, taken with warm water.

Raw Herbs: Decoct Huang Lian, Huang Qin, and Bai Shao first. Dissolve E Jiao separately in the hot liquid. Once the liquid has cooled slightly, stir in the Egg Yolk (Ji Zi Huang) before drinking. The egg yolk is essential for nourishing the "Blood of the Heart."

Description

Huang Lian E Jiao Tang is a "Shao Yin" stage formula from the Shang Han Lun. It uses a "Heavy-Bitter-Sweet" strategy to anchor a spirit that has lost its home.

Huang Lian & Huang Qin: These are the bitter-cold Chief herbs. They act like a "drain," pulling the blazing Heart fire downward. Huang Lian specifically targets the Heart, while Huang Qin clears the chest and upper burner.

E Jiao: This is a thick, rich Blood and Yin tonic. It provides the "Substance" (Water) needed to anchor the floating Yang fire. It "glues" the spirit back into the blood.

Bai Shao: It nourishes the Liver Blood and "softens" the internal environment, preventing the bitter herbs from being too drying.

Ji Zi Huang (Egg Yolk): In TCM, the egg yolk has a special affinity for the Heart. It is considered a "fetal" nutrient that deeply nourishes the Heart Yin and Blood, providing a calm "nest" for the Shen (Spirit) to rest in.

Together, these ingredients re-establish the vertical axis of the body, allowing the fire to descend and the water to rise, resulting in profound mental calm and restful sleep.

Contraindications

Strictly contraindicated for Excess Fire patterns where there is no Yin deficiency (the tongue would have a thick yellow coat rather than being peeled). Avoid in cases of Spleen Deficiency with loose stools, as the combination of bitter-cold herbs and rich tonics (E Jiao/Egg Yolk) is very difficult for a weak Spleen to process. Not for use in patterns of Phlegm-Heat disturbing the heart. Consult a practitioner before use.