Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang黄连温胆汤
Coptis Warm the Gallbladder Decoction
Ingredients8 herbs
Indications
Phlegm-heat harassing the interior, disturbing the Heart and the Stomach. Compared with Wen Dan Tang the heat here is overt rather than implied, and the patient's agitation is the leading symptom rather than a background unease.
Clinical Manifestations
- Insomnia with a racing, over-busy mind
- Irritability and anxiety with a bitter taste in the mouth
- Nausea, reflux or vomiting of bitter fluid
- Palpitations with chest oppression
- Dizziness with a yellow greasy tongue coating
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Insomnia predominant — Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁 and Ye Jiao Teng are added
- Reflux and burning prominent — Wu Zhu Yu 吴茱萸 in a small amount with the Huang Lian, and Hai Piao Xiao 海螵蛸 for the acid
- Constipation with a hot dry interior — Da Huang 大黄 is added briefly so the heat drains downward
- Liver constraint with rib-side distension — Chai Hu 柴胡 and Yu Jin 郁金 are added
Contraindications
Not for insomnia or palpitations from yin and blood deficiency with no phlegm-heat — a pale tongue with little coating rules this formula out, and the bitter cold will injure the Stomach. Not for a cold, weak Spleen with loose stools. Keep the course short and the Huang Lian dose moderate; long unsupervised use is the common misuse. Not combined with // preparations or with Gan Sui-class water-expelling formulas.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Use in pregnancy only on a practitioner's decision, and then briefly. Huang Lian is very bitter and cold and can injure the Stomach in pregnancy, Zhi Shi breaks qi downward, and Ban Xia is used in pregnancy only with a clear reason and in processed form. Morning sickness with a bitter taste is usually treated with a milder harmonizing formula instead.
References
Source Liu Yin Tiao Bian 《六因条辨》 · Qing
- Classical source (public domain) — 《六因条辨》, Qing dynasty, 陆廷珍.
2. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— listed as an appended formula (附方) to 温胆汤; some editions treat it only as a modification.
3. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
4. Chinese Pharmacopoeia monograph on 半夏 — toxicity of the raw drug and the 3–9 g range for processed forms.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.