Hua Gan Jian — Transform the Liver Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Hua Gan Jian — the “Transform the Liver Decoction” — is from Zhang Jingyue’s Ming-dynasty Jing Yue Quan Shu. It addresses the clinical picture where Liver Qi stagnation has transformed into Liver Fire, producing irritability, lateral-costal burning pain, acid regurgitation, sour belching and red eyes. Where pure Liver Qi formulas like Chai Hu Shu Gan San move Qi without strongly clearing Heat, Hua Gan Jian combines Qi-moving with Heat-clearing herbs (Bai Shao, Zhi Zi, Dan Pi) to drain Fire while continuing to soothe the Liver.

I prescribe Hua Gan Jian as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Hua Gan Jian is prescribed for Liver Qi stagnation transforming into Fire:

• Burning lateral-costal pain or distention
• Acid regurgitation, heartburn
• Bitter taste, dry mouth
• Severe irritability, prone to anger
• Red eyes, possibly conjunctival inflammation
• Headache around temples
• Constipation
• Tongue — red, especially edges; yellow coat
• Pulse — wiry, rapid, forceful

Key herbs

1. Bai Shao — softens the Liver; nourishes Liver Yin
2. Qing Pi, Chen Pi — move Liver and Spleen Qi; relieve lateral-costal stagnation
3. Mu Dan Pi — clears Liver Fire and Blood-Heat
4. Zhi Zi — clears Heat from all three burners; particularly drains Liver Fire
5. Tu Bei Mu (or Zhe Bei Mu) — clears Heat; resolves nodules
6. Ze Xie — drains Damp-Heat downward through urination

Formula actions

1. Drains Liver Fire
2. Spreads Liver Qi
3. Softens and nourishes the Liver
4. Cools Blood

Conditions treated

1. GORD with Liver Fire pattern — acid regurgitation, heartburn, bitter taste
2. Gastric or duodenal ulcer with Liver Fire invading Stomach
3. Gastritis with bitter taste and irritability
4. Tension headache or migraine with Liver Fire
5. Hypertension with marked irritability and red face (alongside conventional care)
6. Premenstrual irritability with breast distention and acid reflux
7. Stress-related rosacea with red face and irritability

Cautions

Not appropriate for cold-deficient or Spleen-deficient patterns — the cold draining herbs damage Yang and Spleen.

Acute severe upper abdominal pain, haematemesis or melaena require urgent medical assessment to exclude perforation, bleeding ulcer or pancreatitis.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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