Folio Bound VIEWS - Chinese Medicine

Prescription

Bai Hu Tang
(White Tiger Decoction)

Shi Gao Gypsum fibrosum 30 g

Zhi Mu Radix Anemarrhenae asphodeloidis 15 g

Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis 4.5 g

Geng Mi Semen Oryzae sativae 9 g

Explanation

This is the classical formula for this pattern of Stomach-Heat as opposed to Stomach-Fire.
Although very similar in nature, Heat and Fire differ in some respects. Heat is somewhat more
superficial than Fire and it needs to be cleared with pungent-cold herbs such as Shi Gao. The
pungent taste of this herb will push Heat outwards towards the surface, thus ridding the body of
it. In the case of Stomach-Heat, Bai Hu Tang is the classical prescription to clear it. Fire, on the
contrary, is deeper within the body and is knotted up in the Interior. Fire is also more drying than
Heat and it therefore dries up the stools in the Intestines. Thus, it needs to be drained by purging
with herbs such as Da Huang Rhizoma Rhei. The classical prescription to drain Stomach-Fire by
purging is Cheng Qi Tang Conducting Qi Decoction (see next pattern).

Wu Ju Tong lists four contra-indications against the use of Bai Hu Tang:

(i) pulse not Overflowing

(ii) pulse Deep

(iii) no thirst

(iv) no sweating.

• Shi Gao is pungent and cold and clears Stomach-Heat.


• Zhi Mu helps Shi Gao to clear Stomach-Heat.


• Gan Cao and Gen Mi (brown rice) harmonize and benefit fluids to relieve thirst and
  prevent injury of Yin.

Variations

• If there are signs of the beginning of injury of Stomach-Yin add Lu Gen Rhizoma
  Phragmitis communis, Tian Hua Fen Radix Trichosanthis and Mai Men Dong Tuber