Folio Bound VIEWS - Chinese Medicine

(Draining the Heart Decoction)

Da Huang Rhizoma Rhei 6 g

Huang Lian Rhizoma Coptidis 3 g

Huang Qin Radix Scutellariae baicalensis 9 g

Explanation

In spite of its name, this formula can be used to clear Stomach-Fire as "Heart" in this case means
the area below the heart, i.e. the epigastrium. It clears Fire by draining downwards via the bowel
movements: this is the function of Da Huang Rhizoma Rhei in this formula. Huang Lian Rhizoma
Coptidis and Huang Qin Radix Scutellariae baicalensis clear Stomach-Fire and assist Da Huang
Rhizoma Rhei in clearing Fire.

Qing Wei San
(Clearing the Stomach Powder)

Hung Lian Rhizoma Coptidis 5 g

Sheng Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae 12 g

Mu Dan Pi Cortex Moutan radicis 9 g

Dang Gui Radix Angelicae sinensis 6 g

Sheng Ma Rhizoma Cimicifugae 6 g

Explanation

• Huang Lian and Sheng Ma clear Stomach-Heat or Stomach-Fire.


• Sheng Di Huang and Mu Dan Pi cool Blood and stop bleeding.


• Dang Gui is used here to direct the formula to the Blood portion in order to stop
  bleeding.

This formula is applicable to a further stage of Stomach-Fire. It addresses the situation when
Stomach-Fire has entered Blood causing bleeding, and has begun to injure Yin. For these
reasons, Mu Dan Pi Cortex Moutan radicis and Sheng Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae
are in this formula to cool Blood and stop bleeding, whilst the latter herb also nourishes Yin.
Dang Gui Radix Angelicae sinensis is added to direct the other herbs to the Blood portion, thus
helping the formula both to cool Blood and to stop bleeding.

The key manifestations of this pattern and formula are therefore bleeding gums or vomiting of
Blood (indicating Stomach-Fire heating the Blood) and a Dark-Red tongue without coating in
the centre but with a yellow-dry coating elsewhere (indicating Blood-Heat and injury of