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Description
龙胆泻肝片 / Long Dan Xie Gan Pian
Treats the following symptoms:
Tags: acne with infection, bile, conjunctival congestion, dermatitis, early menstruation, eczema and dermatitis, eye infection, heavy menstruation, herpes, HIV/AIDS, itching, pain and bulging of ear, sexual transmitted disease, shingles, sudden loss of hearing, swelling vulvae, tinnitus, turbid and smelly urine, vaginal discharge (yellowish fetid), vaginal itching
Purge Heat, from the Song Dynasty “Tai Ping Formulas of welfare dispensary”, is an important formulation for clearing away Liver Fire and Damp-Heat from Liver and Gallbladder. Liver and Gallbladder Damp–Heat refers to the syndrome mostly caused by Dampness and Heat Evil; overfeeding fat, or Spleen and Stomach dysfunction leading to Dampness collection. According to the Five Elements Theory, the Spleen belongs to the Earth, the Liver belongs to the Wood and congested Dampness of Spleen (Earth) insulting the Liver (Wood) is leading to Damp–Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder. Liver and Gallbladder Damp–Heat is manifested either as inflammation of Liver and Gallbladder such as headache, red eyes, pain or uncomfortable in the flank, bitter taste in the mouth, tinnitus, ear swelling; or as Liver Meridian-Heat such as swollen, itchy in the perineum, excessive sweat in the perineum, cloudy urination or yellow smelly morbid leucorrhoea in women.
Purge Heat can be also used to treat skin problem diseases like shingles, eczema and dermatitis, itchy skin rashes, psoriasis, acne and herpes simplex as well as vaginal itching and discharge and gynaecological problems like early and heavy menstruation and as a support treatment for HIV/AIDS.
The original ingredient of Purge Heat contains Mutong. In recent times, Mutong contained “aristolochic acid”, which damages kidney function, so we replaced Mutong.
ACNE
Disease description:
Acne is the most common skin disease globally. It is primarily a hormone-related condition of the sebaceous glands which occurs mainly in adolescents during puberty and has various degrees of severity. Common acne symptoms are oily skin with pimples, pustules and blackheads that develop over time and persist, unlike normal pimples. They can also leave small red spots or scars. Acne occurs mainly on areas of the body with a particularly large number of sebaceous glands, such as the face, chest, neck, upper arms and back.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Teenagers, full of life vitality, have more chance to build up imbalance of Yin and Yang or Stagnation and Heat in the Lungs, Liver and Blood from fatty food or stress. The Heat blocks the surface of the face and body, which leads to symptoms of acne rash.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Kidney Yin Deficiency Heat
Red pimples, red face, hot feeling.
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver Stagnation and Yin and Yang imbalance
This pattern is similar to the one caused by Kidney Yin Deficiency Heat. The main difference is that acne worsens before or during menstrual periods or stress. Patient is also easily angry.
Recommended formulas to use:
Damp Heat
Patients usually suffer from red skin pimples with pustules and abscesses.
Recommended formulas to use:
Blood Stagnation
Long-lasting acne rash leading to Qi and Blood Stasis with symptoms of dark red pimples that are thick-walled and leave scars.
Recommended formulas to use:
EARLY MENSTRUATION (CYCLE LESS THEN 21 DAYS)
Typical symptoms:
early menstruationDisease description:
Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.
Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.
There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Qi and Blood is an important factor in maintaining the menstrual cycle. No matter what causes Qi and Blood Disorders, it will lead to early menstruation. If there is Heat in the Blood, it will disrupt the natural flow of the Blood making it overflow from the vessels. The Spleen works to restrict the Blood to run in the Blood vessels, therefore a weak Spleen won’t be able to control the Blood, leading to the Blood will overflowing. Congenital Kidney Qi Deficiency can also manifest as early menstruation because Kidney Qi is the basis for maintaining menstruation.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Blood Heat
Early periods which are heavy with bright red or dark red blood, can also be associated with anxiety, irritability, mental restlessness, red face, thirst, dark urine, dry stools, a sensation of heat, sweating.
Recommended formulas to use:
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Early periods, pale watery blood, shortness of breath, loose stools, epigastric distension, fatigue.
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Qi Not Firm
Early periods, pale watery blood, low back pain, dizziness, nocturia, feeling of cold.
Recommended formulas to use:
ECZEMA AND DERMATITIS
Typical symptoms:
eczema and dermatitisDisease description:
Eczema is non-contagious inflammation of the skin (Latin: dermatitis) with dry and itchy skin. Possible triggers of eczema include oily skin, infections with yeast fungi or staphylococci, a disorder of the immune system as well as psychological stress and hereditary predisposition. The most common form of eczema is atopic eczema. Atopic eczema is the result of a lack of oil in the skin, which normally prevents the skin from being dry and fragile. Symptoms of eczema can include redness, cracks, flaking, blistering, swelling.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Acute and subacute eczema and dermatitis are mostly caused by external Wind, Damp, or Heat invading the skin, and chronic ones are mostly caused by Blood Deficiency and Dryness, or Spleen Deficiency and Dampness.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Wind-Heat
Red, itchy skin eruptions and a sensation of heat.
Recommended formulas to use:
Damp-Heat
Itchy red skin rashes all over the body, swelling, oozing, vesicles, papules with indistinct borders.
Recommended formulas to use:
Blood Dryness
Chronic, lingering or recurrent condition. Lesions are dull-red, the skin is rough, dry, itchy and scaly with small amounts of exudate.
Recommended formulas to use:
HEAVY MENSTRUATION (MENORRHAGIA)
Typical symptoms:
heavy menstruationDisease description:
Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.
Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.
There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Heavy menstruation is caused by Qi Deficiency or Heat in Blood. Qi manages the Blood; it controls the Blood circulation to maintain the Blood’s move in the Blood vessel. Qi Deficiency causes uncontrolled Blood, Heat in Blood forces the Blood to act violently, both leading to excessive menstruation.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Blood Heat
Heavy periods, bright or dark red, dense blood, mental restlessness, anxiety, a feeling of heat, thirst, dark urine, headaches.
Recommended formulas to use:
Qi Deficiency
Heavy periods, pale, watery blood, pale complexion, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath.
Recommended formulas to use:
HIV / AIDS
Typical symptoms:
abdominal pain, anaemia, breathlessness on exertion, cold and flu in a prolonged duration, cough, fatigue, fever, HIV/AIDS, immune compromised patient, immune deficiency, loose stool, loss of energy, pain in the chest, shortness of breath, sore throat, stomach ache, sweating, swollen and painful gums, weight loss, yeast and fungal problemsDisease description:
HIV stands for “Human Immunodeficiency Virus”, the pathogen that weakens the human immune system. Infection with HIV most often occur during unprotected sexual intercourse or through HIV-infected blood. Failure to treat HIV infection means that at a certain point in time the body will no longer be able defend itself against other infectious pathogens and falls seriously ill with normally harmless diseases. This condition is then called “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome” (AIDS). People with AIDS often suffer from pneumonia and fungal diseases.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
HIV infection is viewed as an Invasion of Damp and Toxic Heat, which is not showing symptoms in the beginning (asymptomatic phase). The virus is hiding in the body and slowly depleting Wei Qi, then later attacks the Lung and can cause flu-like symptoms. Then it progresses inwards depleting Spleen and Stomach Qi and drying Stomach Yin. The Toxic Heat dries the Blood, causing Blood Deficiency and eventually Yin- and Yang- and Essence Deficiency.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Qi Deficiency and Latent Toxin
Immune deficiency in the asymptomatic HIV positive patient.
Recommended formulas to use:
Lung Qi & Yin Deficiency
Susceptibility to infection such as recurrent episodes of a sore throat, fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, rashes, pruritus, weight loss, fatigue, night sweating.
Recommended formulas to use:
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Frequent infections, fatigue, diarrhoea or loose stools, lack of appetite, dull pain in the abdomen, weight loss, lethargy, the need to take naps after meals.
recommended formulae: Arouse Centre Qi
in case of loose stool: Consolidate Qi
in case of heartburn and stomach pain: Harmonizes Stomach
Recommended formulas to use:
Damp Heat
Immune deficiency, wet skin lesions, yeast and fungal problems, parasitic diarrhoea, bleeding gums.
Recommended formulas to use:
ITCHY SKIN RASHES
Typical symptoms:
itchy skin rashDisease description:
An acute or intermittent redness of the skin is called a skin rash. Skin rashes are itchy and discolour the skin red in a very short time, can affect anyone and usually come as a surprise. There are as many manifestations as there are causes. Possible causes include children’s diseases, allergies, intolerance to medicines and general infectious diseases.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Chinese medicine believes that itching skin is caused by Wind Evils interfering with the Ying and Wei functions of skin (Ying is nutrition stay under the skin which nourishes Wei, and Wei is a function of skin). The occurrence of Wind Evil can be an External Wind, Damp, Heat, or Cold which attack the skin and take advantage of the Qi Deficiency, resulting in impaired Ying and Wei function; or due to Blood Heat or Blood Deficiency and Blood Dryness, which generate Wind, Qi and Blood disorder and interfere with the skin’s Ying and Wei function.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Disharmony of Ying and Wei
Itchy skin, possible rashes that worsen after exposure to wind or cool wind in the morning.
Recommended formulas to use:
Wind-Heat
Red, itchy skin rashes that worsen in hot weather.
Recommended formulas to use:
Damp Heat
Pale red skin that weeps after scratching, vesicular rashes, erosion.
Recommended formulas to use:
Blood-Heat & Dryness
Chronic red, itchy, scaly rashes, telangiectasia, reddening of the face, a sensation of heat, worse before and after menstruation.
Recommended formulas to use:
SHINGLES
Typical symptoms:
shinglesDisease description:
Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, varicella-zoster-virus, which lies dormant long after you’ve had chickenpox. The place where there is shingles rash, redness, blisters and pain typically occur. Although shingles can occur anywhere on the body, it most often appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or the right side of the torso.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Shingles have an acute onset, severe herpes and severe burning pain, so the pathogenic factor is Toxic Damp-Heat. Because the rash is usually distributed around the lumbar ribs and around the eyes, which is the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians covered area. So, it is the Damp-Heat that attacks the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. In the acute phase, Damp-Heat is flourishing and is treated with the principle of purging Toxic Damp-Heat, followed by nourishing Yin and clearing Heat. Acupuncture has the best effect and assists with Chinese herbal medicine.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Damp-Heat
Severe burning pain in the affected area precedes the rash. After about one to four days a painful, itchy red rash of small blisters filled with turbid fluid appears. Over the next few days up to two weeks, the blisters dry out, scab over and drop off.
Recommended formulas to use:
Deficiency Heat
After the skin rash disappears a burning or pain remains in affected area.
Recommended formulas to use:
TINNITUS
Typical symptoms:
tinnitusDisease description:
Tinnitus is the perception of noise the ears, which can occur suddenly in the form of ringing, whistling, buzzing, humming or hissing. The most frequent causes are stress, noise or blast trauma, sudden deafness, ear diseases, cardiovascular diseases, side effects of medication, but in most cases the cause isn’t determined. Acute tinnitus can last for up to three months, where individuals only perceive the sounds for a few seconds before they disappear. If these symptoms persist for more than half a year, the tinnitus is classified as chronic.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
The Kidney Qi reaches the ears, and the hearing function relies on the nourishment by the Kidney Essence. The Gallbladder Meridian is linked with the inner ear. Kidney Deficiency or imbalance of Liver and Gallbladder can cause tinnitus.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Kidney Yin or Essence Deficiency
Gradual onset with low sounds like rushing water occurring in bouts, dizziness, a feeling of emptiness in the head as well as poor memory.
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver and Gallbladder Fire
Sudden onset of loud sounds, episodes related to emotional strain, headache, irritability, bitter taste, thirst, red face, dizziness, constipation.
Recommended formulas to use:
Phlegm Fire Rising
Sounds like cicadas or crickets, impaired hearing, chest oppression, expectoration of sputum, thirst, fuzzy or dizzy head, possible with anxiety.
Recommended formulas to use:
URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI)
Disease description:
Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) are caused usually by bacteria (E.coli), that enter the urethra and bladder, causing inflammation and infection. They are commonly happen in the urethra and bladder, bacteria can also travel up the ureters and infect your kidneys.
A urinary tract infection causes the lining of the urinary tract to become red and irritated (inflammation). The most common symptoms of a UTI are: pain and discomfort, typically in the lower back, abdomen and pelvic pain, pain when urinating, fever, feeling an urge to urinate frequently, abnormal urine color (cloudy urine) and strong or foul-smelling urine.
Most UTIs go away after treatment with antibiotics. However, some people develop chronic UTIs, which don’t go away after treatment or keep recurring.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Damp-Heat from outside invades the lower body (Ling-Syndrome), blocks water paths and causes irritation of the bladder. In some young women Liver-Qi-Stagnation produces Fire, which attacks the lower abdomen and also the bladder. Over long time the Heat is exhausting Kidney-Yin, which leads to chronic urinary tract infections.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Damp-Heat (Acute Urinary Tract Infection)
Frequent, urgent urination, burning, painful (pain may radiate to the umbilical area and be worse for pressure), difficult (interrupted) urination, a feeling of incomplete voiding, dark, strong-smelling urine, fever, thirst but no desire to drink, nausea, bitter taste.
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver Qi Stagnation produces Fire (often seen around period in young women)
This pattern is linked with the period, hormon or stress related. Young women often suffer from urinary tract infections before or around their period, are angry and easily irritated, PMS, have pimples, maybe feel hot.
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yin Deficiency Fire (chronic and recurrent UTIs)
Patients suffering from chronic urinary tract infections, which keep occurring and never fully recover from it.
Recommended formulas to use:
VAGINAL DISCHARGE
Disease description:
A little vaginal discharge is normal and occurs in every woman. As part of normal body function, the daily secretion of secretions may vary from woman to woman and the amount of discharge may change during the cycle. A healthy vaginal flora, including vaginal discharge, prevents the penetration and proliferation of germs and ensures the correct vaginal acidity level. Bacterial infections, fungal infestation and viruses can cause vaginal discharge. Taking antibiotics also disturb the vaginal flora, resulting in an imbalance that provides a better breeding ground for pathogenic germs or fungi. They can cause symptoms such as redness, itching, burning, pain in the vaginal area, extreme dryness or a coloured or foul-smelling discharge.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
The main cause of the vaginal discharge is Damp Evil. Dampness can be caused by Spleen Deficiency or insufficient Kidney Yang. Both may lead to water metabolism failure and Dampness Retention. Moreover, an External Dampness or Invading Damp Heat can lead to discharge.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Spleen Qi and Kidney Yang Deficiency & Damp
White excessive vaginal discharge without smell, dull complexion, tiredness, cold limbs, loose stools.
Recommended formulas to use:
Damp Heat
Profuse, sticky yellow or brown discharge with smell, loose stools.
Recommended formulas to use:
VAGINAL ITCHING
Typical symptoms:
vaginal itchingDisease description:
Vaginal itching can have many different causes. The most common non-infectious cause is excessive intimate hygiene. The natural bacterial flora of the vagina can be thrown out of balance due to too frequent washing or hormonal fluctuations. Psychological problems can also be a cause of vaginal itching. Persistent itching can indicate fungal infections of the vagina. They also show symptoms such as burning of the vagina, whitish patches, reddened vaginal skin and an altered, usually coloured discharge and urine.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
The occurrence of vaginal itching is mainly due to malfunction of Liver, Kidney and Spleen. If the Liver derive Heat and the weakness Spleen derived Dampness, the Dampness and Heat will stagnate in the vulva and itching will occur. It is also possible that Liver and Kidney Deficiency leading to insufficient Yin and Blood support of the genitals and causing itchiness. It is then a Deficiency Heat Pattern.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Damp Heat
Intense vulvar or vaginal itching, yellow vaginal discharge, occasionally pain on intercourse, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, dark urine.
Recommended formulas to use:
Yin Deficiency and Heat
Slight vaginal and vulvar itching with a burning sensation, dryness of the vagina, burning feeling in the palm during sleep, a feeling of heat in the afternoon.