Jian Ling Tang建瓴汤
Cascading Water Decoction
Ingredients8 herbs
Indications
Ascendant Liver yang on a background of yin and blood insufficiency, with the spirit unsettled. It is the less acute cousin of the parent pattern: the yang is rising, but the picture is one of agitation and broken sleep rather than of impending collapse.
Clinical Manifestations
- Dizziness with ringing ears and pressure in the eyes
- Palpitations with poor sleep and vivid dreaming
- Restlessness and irritability with forgetfulness
- A hot, heavy head that worsens with stress
- Long-term management of ascendant yang alongside medical care
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Signs escalate toward collapse — severe headache, a limb weakening, speech affected — this is an emergency; medical assessment first, and the parent Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang is the stronger prescription for that pattern
- Yin depletion pronounced with night sweats and heat in the palms — Gui Ban 龟板 and Xuan Shen 玄参 are added, moving it back toward the parent formula
- Sleep remains poor — Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁 and Ye Jiao Teng Shou Wu Teng are added
- The stomach is unsettled by the mineral herbs — they are reduced and always pre-decocted, with stomach-harmonizing herbs added
Contraindications
Not a replacement for the medical management of high blood pressure, and no reason to stop prescribed medication. Sudden severe headache, one-sided weakness, slurred speech or visual loss is an emergency. Not for dizziness or palpitations from qi and blood deficiency in a pale, cold, exhausted patient — the heavy anchoring herbs make that worse. Dai Zhe Shi, Long Gu and Mu Li are hard on a weak digestion and are pre-decocted; they are not for continuous long-term use. Sheng Di Huang and Bai Zi Ren are moistening and can loosen the stools. Contraindicated in pregnancy. The classical iron-rust water is not used.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy. The large dose of Huai Niu Xi leads blood downward and is a classical pregnancy prohibition, and Dai Zhe Shi is avoided as well. Raised blood pressure, palpitations or headache in pregnancy must be assessed by an obstetric team, as they may indicate pre-eclampsia.
Related Formulas
References
Source Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu 《医学衷中参西录》 · Republican era (early 20th century)
- Source text 《医学衷中参西录》 (20th century); not quoted here, as it is not in the public domain.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— listed as an appended formula to 镇肝熄风汤.
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.