Long Dan Xie Gan Tang — Gentiana Drain the Liver Decoction

On this page

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

Overview

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is the most powerful formula in Chinese herbal medicine for draining excess Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder and clearing Damp-Heat from the lower body via the Liver and Gallbladder channels. It is a “draining and clearing” formula rather than a tonifying one, specifically for acute or excess conditions only — not for long-term constitutional use.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for two distinct patterns: (1) Liver and Gallbladder excess Fire flaring upward — headaches at the temples, red and painful eyes, ear pain, sudden hearing loss, irritability, a red tongue with yellow coating, and a wiry, rapid, forceful pulse; (2) Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat flowing downward — urethral burning, urinary tract infections, vaginal discharge and itching, and lower abdominal pain.

Key herbs

1. Long Dan Cao (Gentiana scabra root) — the principal herb; powerfully drains Liver and Gallbladder Fire and clears Damp-Heat
2. Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis root) — clears Heat from the Lung, Liver and Gallbladder
3. Zhi Zi (Gardenia jasminoides fruit) — clears Heat from the Triple Burner and drains Damp-Heat via urination
4. Ze Xie (Alisma plantago-aquatica rhizome) — drains Dampness and clears Heat via urination
5. Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense root) — spreads Liver Qi and guides the formula to the Liver and Gallbladder channels
6. Sheng Di Huang (raw Rehmannia root) — nourishes Yin and Blood to prevent the draining herbs from damaging Yin
7. Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis root) — nourishes Blood and prevents the formula from becoming excessively drying
8. Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis root) — harmonises the formula and moderates its intensity

Conditions treated

1. Shingles (herpes zoster) — the primary formula for Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat in acute shingles
2. Urinary tract infections with burning, urgency and dark urine
3. Acute eye inflammation, conjunctivitis and eye pain from Liver Fire rising to the eyes
4. Ear infections, ear pain and sudden hearing loss from Liver-Gallbladder Fire
5. Vaginal discharge, itching and inflammation from Damp-Heat in the lower burner
6. Severe cystic acne from Liver Fire and Damp-Heat along the sides of the face and jaw
7. Fatty liver and liver conditions with prominent Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat pattern

A strongly draining formula — should not be used long-term as it will damage Spleen Qi and Yin. For excess Heat patterns only.

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.