Shi Wei Wen Dan Tang十味温胆汤
Ten-Ingredient Warm the Gallbladder Decoction
Ingredients10 herbs
Indications
Phlegm-turbidity disturbing a timid and depleted Heart and Gallbladder. The deficiency is primary and the phlegm secondary, which is why a purely phlegm-clearing prescription leaves such patients no better.
Clinical Manifestations
- Being easily startled, jumpy at small noises
- Palpitations with insomnia and frightening dreams
- Shortness of breath and spontaneous sweating
- Dizziness and tinnitus with a greasy tongue coating
- Restlessness and an inability to settle after illness or shock
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Insomnia severe — the Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁 is increased and Ye Jiao Teng added
- Heat has appeared — bitter taste, yellow greasy coating — Zhu Ru 竹茹 is put back and Huang Lian 黄连 added, moving the prescription back toward Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
- Sweating heavy, qi very weak — Huang Qi 黄芪 is added and the Wu Wei Zi 五味子 increased
- Rich herbs cause fullness and poor appetite — the Shu Di Huang 熟地黄 is reduced and Sha Ren 砂仁 added
Contraindications
Not for a vigorous phlegm-fire pattern with a red tongue, thick yellow coating and forceful rapid pulse — the tonifying herbs would feed the fire, and Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang fits better. Use cautiously where appetite is poor and the abdomen distends, since Shu Di Huang is heavy. 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. There is no strong abortifacient here, but Zhi Shi breaks qi downward and Ban Xia is used in pregnancy only with a clear reason and in processed form. Anxiety and insomnia in pregnancy are usually treated with a gentler, non-phlegm-attacking prescription.
Related Formulas
References
Source Shi Yi De Xiao Fang 《世医得效方》 · Yuan
- Classical source (public domain) — 《世医得效方》, Yuan dynasty, 危亦林.
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.
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.