犀角地黃湯

Name

Decoction of Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia

Source

The book Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang

Ingredients

• Xi Jiao (Cornu Rhinoceri) I.5-3 g,
• Sheng Di (Radix Rehmanniae) 30 g,
• Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) 12 g,
• Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan) 9 g.

Explanation

Xi Jiao: The principal drug, being salty in flavor and cold in nature, clearing away heart-fire, dispelling heat from the blood, removing toxic material.

Sheng Di: Removing heat from the blood, arresting bleeding, nourishing Yin, reducing fever.

Chi Shao and Dan Pi: Removing heat from the blood, dissipating blood stasis.

Effect

Removing pathogenic heat and toxic material, eliminating heat from the blood and dissipating blood stasis.

Indications

Syndrome due to the invasion or pathogenic heat into the blood system, marked by hemoptysis, nasal bleeding, hematochezia, forgetfulness as if something has gone wrong with the mind, no desire for drinking, restlessness, pain in the thorax, fullness in the abdomen, loose black stools, coma, mania, delirium, purplish skin eruption, and deep red tongue with pricks; including such diseases with the above symptoms as acute leukemia, acute yellow atrophy of liver, thrombocytopenic purpura, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, encephalitis B, typhus, hepatic coma, urin aemia, etc.

Administration

Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken 3 times.