白頭翁湯

Name

Pulsatilla Decoction

Source

The book Shang Han Lun

Ingredients

• Bai Tou Weng (Radix Pulsatillae) 15 g,
• Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri) 12 g,
• Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 6 g,
• Qin Pi (Cortex Fraxini) 12 g.

Explanation

Bai Tou Weng: The principal drug, being bitter in flavor and cold in nature, clearing away noxious heat in the blood system.

Huang Lian, Huang Bo and Qin Pi: Removing heat and toxic material, drying dampness and relieving dysentery.

Effect

Removing heat and toxic material, clearing away pathogenic heat in blood, relieving dysentery.

Indications

Dysentery with bloody stool due to noxious heat, marked by abdominal pain, rectal tenesmus, burning sensation in the anus, discharge of pus and blood with the latter more than the former, thirst with desire for drinking, reddened tongue with yellowish coating, and taut rapid pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as acute bacillary dysentery, amebic dysentery, ulcerative colitis, trichomonal enteritis, lobar pneumonia and bronchial pneumonia.

Administration

Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken twice.