Huang Qin Tang — Scutellaria Decoction
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What is Huang Qin Tang?
Huang Qin Tang — Scutellaria Decoction — is a classical Shang Han Lun four-herb formula for heat-pattern diarrhoea with abdominal cramping. It is the ancestor of the modern PHY906 (KD018) formula, which is in late-stage Western clinical trials at Yale as a chemotherapy adjuvant for reducing gastrointestinal toxicity in colorectal cancer treatment.
I prescribe Huang Qin Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
Huang Qin Tang TCM pattern
Prescribed for heat lodged in the interior with diarrhoea: hot watery or mucus diarrhoea with cramping, low-grade fever, mild thirst, tenesmus or burning at the anus, a yellow tongue coat and a rapid pulse.
Key herbs
- Huang Qin — chief herb; clears Damp-Heat from the middle Burner
- Bai Shao — relieves spasmodic abdominal pain
- Da Zao — nourishes Spleen Qi and harmonises
- Zhi Gan Cao — harmonises the formula and eases the middle
Formula actions
- Clears Damp-Heat in the Intestines
- Relieves spasmodic abdominal pain
- Stops heat-pattern diarrhoea
Conditions treated
- Acute infective gastroenteritis with hot, cramping diarrhoea
- Mild inflammatory bowel disease flares with damp-heat features
- Chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea and mucositis (as adjunct in oncology under joint supervision)
- Travellers’ diarrhoea with heat features
- Childhood acute diarrhoea with cramping (paediatric dosing)
Cautions
Contraindicated in cold-deficient diarrhoea and chronic deficient loose stools. Severe diarrhoea, dehydration or blood in stool require medical assessment.
Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.
