HUANG LIAN JIE DU TANG

Coptis Decoction to Relieve Toxicity

Huang Lian Jie Du Tang is a classical formula used to strongly clear excess Heat and Fire Toxin from all three burners, particularly in acute, severe, excess patterns. It is indicated when toxic Heat is intense and widespread, affecting multiple systems simultaneously.

This formula is especially appropriate in presentations with high fever, agitation, inflammation, bleeding, or skin eruptions, where Heat is clearly excess and pathogenic, rather than due to deficiency.

Key actions

• Clears excess Heat

• Resolves Fire Toxin

• Drains Heat from the three burners

• Cools the Blood

Herbal composition

• Huang Lian (黄连) – Coptidis Rhizoma

• Huang Qin (黄芩) – Scutellariae Radix

• Huang Bai (黄柏) – Phellodendri Cortex

• Zhi Zi (栀子) – Gardeniae Fructus

Clinical indications

Traditionally used in presentations such as:

• High fever

• Irritability or agitation

• Delirium

• Insomnia due to Fire

• Bleeding due to Heat

• Inflammatory skin eruptions

• Dark urine

• Red tongue with yellow coating

• Rapid, forceful pulse

Pattern focus

This formula treats intense Fire Toxin and excess Heat affecting multiple burners.
Symptoms arise from strong pathogenic Heat, not from Yin deficiency or weakness.

Cautions

• Contraindicated in Cold or deficiency patterns

• Not intended for long-term use

• Use with caution in patients with weak digestion

• Discontinue once excess Heat has cleared