Trichosanthes Fruit and Immature Bitter Orange Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang
English Translation: Trichosanthes Fruit and Immature Bitter Orange Decoction
Formula Type: Promote the Movement of Qi and Resolve Phlegm Accumulation
Actions: Transforms & cools phlegm-heat in the chest.
Indications: For clumping of phlegm in the chest with sputum that is difficult to expectorate & pain in the chest & diaphragm such that the patient is unable to rotate the trunk. Other symptoms may include a stifling sensation & fullness in the chest, fever & chills, & labored breathing. This formula has a stronger effect on the qi then the principal formula (Clear Qi & Transform Phlegm Pill)
Contraindications:
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
---|---|---|
view: Gua Lou |
Trichosanthes Fruit | 3g |
view: Zhi Shi |
Bitter Orange, Unripened | 3g |
view: Jie Geng |
Platycodon | 3g |
view: Fu Ling |
Poria | 3g |
view: Bei Muu |
Fritillaria Bulb | 3g |
view: Chen Pi |
Tangerine / Citrus Peel | 3g |
view: Zhi Zi |
Gardenia Fruit | 3g |
view: Huang Qin |
Scutellaria Baicalensis | 3g |
view: Dang Gui |
Angelica Sinensis | 1.8g |
view: Sha Ren |
Chinese (Cardamon) Amomum Fruit | 1.5 g |
view: Zhu Ru |
Bamboo Shavings | 0.9g |
view: Mu Xiang |
Aucklandia / Saussurea | 1.5g |
view: Gan Cao |
Licorice | 0.9g |
Gua Lou / Trichosanthes Fruit | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Cold • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat | |||
Dosage9-30g |
Actions1. Clears heat & transforms phlegm-heat: for heat-induced coughs with sputum that is thick & difficult to expectorate.2. Expands the chest & dissipates nodules: for conditions in which the qi accumulates in the chest leading to a stifling or distended sensation, constriction, pain, or diaphragmatic pressure. Used in treating painful obstruction of the chest, Lung abscess, & breast abscess. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Lung, Stomch |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of cold from deficiency of the Spleen & Stomach, phlegm-cold, or phlegm-dampness. May be incompatible with wu tou, antagonize gan jiang, & counteract niu xi. |
Zhi Shi / Orange (Bitter) unripened, immatured fruit | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Slightly Cold • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Breaks up stagnant qi & reduces accumulation: for epigastric or abdominal pain & distention or indigestion with focal distention or gas.2. Directs the qi downward & unblocks the bowels: frequently used for abdominal pain & constipation caused by accumulation & stagnant qi. Also used for dystentric diarrhea that is difficult, with or without tenesmus. 3. Transforms phlegm & expels focal distention: for focal distention & fullness in the chest & epigastrium due tp phlegm obstructing the qi mechanism. 4. Also used with qi tonifying herbs for gastriectasis, gastroptosis, rectal prolapse, or uterine prolapse. recently used to raise blood pressure. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution during pregnancy, or in cases where the normal qi is weak or there is Stomach cold from deficiency. |
Jie Geng / Platycodon Root, balloon flower root | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Warm & Transform Phlegm Cold | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Opens up & disseminates the Lung qi & expels phlegm: for cough. When combined with other appropriate herbs, it can be used for both wind-cold & wind-heat coughs.2. Promotes the discharge of pus: for expelling pus associated with Lung abscess or throat abscess. 3. Benefits the throat: used in manyy cases of sore throat or loss of voice, especially in those caused by external heat, but also when the condition is due to other factors such as phlegm-heat or yin deficiency with heat signs. 4. Directs the effect of other herbs to the upper regions of the body. |
MeridiansLung |
CautionsContraindicated for hemoptysis. May counteract long dan cao & long yan rou. |
Fu Ling / Poria, Hoelen, Tuckahoe | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Sweet, Bland • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Drain Damp • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage9-15g, up to 60g |
Actions1. Promotes urination & leaches out dampness: for urinary difficulty, diarrhea, or edema due to stagnation of fluids or dampness. Also used in cases of scanty urine due to damp-heat (more often in its red form).2. Strengthens the Spleen & harmonizes the middle burner: for Spleen deficiency compounded by dampness with such symptoms as loss of appetite, diarrhea, & epigastric distention. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & transforms phlegm: for Spleen deficiency with congested fluids in which phlegm moves upward with such symptoms as palpitations, headache, dizziness, & a thick, greasy tongue coating. 4. Quites the Heart & calms the spirit: for palpiations, insomnia, or forgetfulness. |
MeridiansHeart, Spleen, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of frequent, copious urine due to cold from deficiency. May counteract di yu, qin jiao & bie jia. Taking this herb in large doses or long-term is discouraged. |
Bei Muu / Fritillaria Bulb | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter - Zhe Bei Mu; Bitter, Sweet - Chuan Bei Mu • Temperature: Cold - Zhe Bei Mu; Slightly Cold - Chuan Bei Mu • Category: Transform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Clears & transforms phlegm-heat: for acute Lung heat patterns with productive cough.2. Clears heat & dissipates nodules: for phlegm-fire which congeals & causes neck swellings. Also important for Lung & breast abscesses & swellings. - Zhe Bei Mu Actions 1. Clears heat & transforms phlegm: for many types of cough, chiefly chronic cough, cough with signs of fire due to yin deficiency, cough with light sputum that is difficult to expectorate, or cough with blood-streaked sputum. It is most effective in treating cough accompanied by constrained qi, manifested in a reduced appetite & a stifling sensation in the chest & upper abdomen. 2. Clears heat dissipated nodules: for disorders in which phlegm-fire collects & produces nodules, sores, scrufula, & Lung or breat abscess - Chuan Bei Mu Actions |
MeridiansHeart, Lung |
CautionsIneffective in coughs due to phlegm secondary to damp-cold. May be incompatible with wu tou. |
Chen Pi / Citrus (Tangerine) Peel - Aged, Matured | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Regulates the qi, improves the transportive funaction of the Spleen, adjusts the middle, & relieves the diaphragm: for Spleen or Stomach, stagnant qi patterns with such symptoms as epigastic or abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, & nausea & vomiting. This herb promotes the movement of qi in general while specifically directing it downward. Its is therefore commonly used in treating many different types of nausea & vomiting.2. Dries dampness & transforms phlegm: an important herb for phlegm-damp coughs with a stifling sensation in the chest & /or diaphragm, & copious, viscous sputum. Also used for damp turbidity obstructing the middle with a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal distention, loss of appetite, fatigue, loose stool, & a thick, greasy tongue coating. An important qi-level herb of both the Spleen & Lung channels, it is especially appropriate for disorders involving both channels. 3. Helps prevent stagnation: used with tonifying herbs to prevent their cloying nature from causing stagnation. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of dry cough due to yin or qi deficiency. Use with caution when the tongue is red, & in cases with hot phlegm or dry heat coughs, or spittting of blood. |
Zhi Zi / Gardenia, Cape Jasmine Fruit | |||
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Fire | |||
Dosage3-12g |
Actions1. Clears heat & eliminates irritability: for heat patterns with fever, irritability, restlessness, a stifling sensation in the chest, insomnia, or delirious speech.2. Dries damp-heat: for painful urinary dysfunction due to damp-heat in the lower burner; damp-heat & constrained Liver & Gallbladder (middle burner) with jaundice; & damp-heat in the Gallbladder & Triple Burner channels of the face, affecting the nose & eyes or causing sores in the mouth or facial region. 3. Cools the blood & stops bleeding: for heat in the blood with such symptoms as nosebleed, or blood in the vomit, stool, or urine. For this purpose, the herb is partiallly charred. 4. Reduces swelling & moves blood stasis due to trauma: for this purpose, apply topically as a powder mixed with egg white or vinegar. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Lung, Stomach, Triple Burner |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of loose stool or loss of appetite due to cold from deficiency. |
Huang Qin / Scute or Baical Skullcap Root | |||
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Damp | |||
Dosage6-15g |
Actions1. Clears heat & drains fire, especially from the upper burner: for heat patterns with high fever, irritability, thirst, cough, & expectoration of thick, yellow sputum, or hot sores & swellings. In treating the latter it can be applied topically or taken internally.2. Clears heat & dries dampness: a major herb for damp-heat in the Stomach or Intestines, which manifests as diarrhea or dyenteric disorder; damp warm-febrile disease, which presents with fever, stifling senstaion in the chest, & thirst but inability to drink; or for damp-heat in the lower burner with painful urinary dysfunction. Used as a an auxiliary herb for damp-heat jaundice. |
MeridiansGallbladder, Large Intestine, Lung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of heat from deficiency in the Lungs, cold diarrhea o any other condition with cold in the middle burner, & restless fetus due to cold in the blood. May counteract mu dan pi & li lu. |
Dang Gui / Angelica (Chinese) Root | |||
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Taste: Sweet, Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage3-15g |
Actions1. Tonifies the blood & regulates the meses: for patterns of blood deficiency with such symptoms as a pallid, ashen complexion, tinnitus, blurred vision, & palpitations. Also very commonly used fro blood deficiency associated with menstrual disorders such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, etc.2. Invigorates & harmonizes the blood & disperses cold: an important herb for stopping pain due to blood stasis. Commonly used for abdominal pain, traumatic injury, & carbuncles due to blood stasis, especially when there is also cold from deficiency. Also used in the treatment of blood deficiency with chronic wind-damp painful obstruction. 3. Moistens the Intestiones & unblocks the bowels: for dry Intestines due to blood deficiency. 4. Reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, & alleviates pain: used in treating sores & abscesses where its ability to both tonify & invigorate the blood leads to improvement. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of diarrhea or abdominal distention due to damp obstruction. Contraindicated for yin deficiency with heat signs. |
Sha Ren / Cardamon, grains-of-paradise fruit | |||
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Damp - Aromatic • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage1.5-6g |
Actions1. Transforms dampness & stops vomiting: used when dampness distresses the Spleen or Stomach with discomfort in the epigastrium, nausea, abdominal pain & diarrhea.2. Promotes the movement of qi & strengthens the Stomach: for Spleen or Stomach stagnant qi patterns that manifest in loss of appetite or epigastric or abdominal distention, pain, & diarrhea. 3. Calms the fetus: for morning sickness or restless fetus. 4. Also used in herbal prescriptions with tonifying herbs to prevent tham from causing stagnation. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs. |
Zhu Ru / Bamboo Shavings | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Slightly Cold • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat | |||
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Clears & transforms phlegm-heat: for heat in the Lungs with thick sputum, a stifling sensation in the chest, or coughing up blood.2. Clears heat & stops vomiting: for vomiting of bitter or sour material due to heat in the Stomach with bad breath, aversion to heat, & a yellow, greasy tongue. This herb is effective in stopping vomiting & can be used, with other appropriate herbs, in treating other types of vomiting including that associated with morning sickness. 3. Cools the blood & stops bleeding: to stop nosebleed & vomiting of blood. |
MeridiansGallbladder, Lung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with nausea & vomiting due to Stomach cold or cold food stagnation. |
Mu Xiang / Saussurrea or Aucklandia Root | |||
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage1.5-9g |
Actions1. Promotes the movement of qi & alleviates pain: for Speen or Stomach stagnant qi with such symptoms as lack of appetite, epigastric or abdominal pain or distention, nausea, & vomiting. Also used for stagnant Liver or Gallbladder qi with such symptoms as flank pain, distention, or soreness.2. Adjusts & regulates stagnant qi in the Intestines: for diarrhea & dysentric disrders, or for abdominal pain & tenesmus. Because of its slightly astringent property, this is a common herb for treatnig tenesmus. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & prevents stagnation: used with tonifying herbs to ameliorate their side effects. Especially useful when the transformative & transportive functions of the Spleen are weak. |
MeridiansGallbladder, Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency or depleted fluids. |
Gan Cao / Licorice Root (Chinese) | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral (raw root) • Category: Tonic / Harmonize • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage2-12g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations.2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs. 3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically. 4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs. 5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels. 6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically. 7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms. |
MeridiansAll 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach) |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate. |