茵陈蒿汤

Name

Oriental Wormwood Decoction

Source

The book Shang Han Lun

Ingredients

• Yin Chen (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae) 30 g,
• Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae) 15 g,
• Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 9 g.

Explanation

Yin Chen: The principal drug, being bitter in flavor and slightly cold in nature, having the special action of clearing away dampness-heat to treat jaundice.

Zhi Zi: Removing obstructions from the tri-Jiao, leading damp-heat to go downward, inducing damp-heat to be eliminated through urination.

Da Huang: Clearing away heat and stagnancy and relieving constipation.

Effect

Clearing away heat, removing dampness and treating jaundice.

Indications

Syndrome or jaundice due to damp-heat pathogen, marked by yellowish face and body surface, slight full sensation in the abdomen, thirst, disturbance in urination, yellowish greasy tongue coating, and deep rapid pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as acute infectious icterohepatitis, acute cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, leptospirosis, etc.

Administration

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