Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang镇肝熄风汤
Sedate the Liver and Extinguish Wind Decoction
Ingredients12 herbs
Indications
Liver and Kidney yin depletion with ascendant Liver yang and chaotic upward surging of qi and blood. The root is empty below and the branch is full above — hence sedating and nourishing in the same prescription.
Clinical Manifestations
- Dizziness with a distended, hot sensation in the head
- Ringing ears with pressure behind the eyes
- Flushed face with irritability and a heavy, throbbing head
- Numbness or clumsiness of a limb developing gradually
- Recovery period after a cerebrovascular event, under medical care
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Heat is marked with a bitter taste and constipation — heat-draining herbs such as Long Dan Cao 龙胆草 or a small dose of Da Huang 大黄 are added
- Copious phlegm with a greasy coating — Dan Nan Xing 胆南星 and Zhu Ru 竹茹 are added to clear phlegm-heat
- Yin depletion pronounced, tongue red and peeled — Shu Di Huang 熟地黄 and Shan Zhu Yu 山茱萸 are added
- The stomach rebels — nausea or fullness after the decoction — the mineral herbs are reduced and stomach-protecting herbs added; they are always pre-decocted
- Sleep is badly broken — the appended Jian Ling Tang, with Bai Zi Ren 柏子仁, suits a spirit-restless presentation better
Contraindications
Not a substitute for medical management of high blood pressure or of a stroke. Do not stop or reduce prescribed antihypertensive medication in order to take it, and treat sudden severe headache, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, facial droop or visual loss as an emergency. Not for dizziness from qi and blood deficiency or from damp-phlegm without heat — heavy cold minerals suppress an already weak system. Poorly tolerated by a cold, weak digestion: Dai Zhe Shi, Long Gu and Mu Li are hard on the stomach and cause fullness and loose stools in such patients. Chuan Lian Zi is limited to short courses and modest doses because of reported liver injury, and is avoided in existing liver disease. Mineral ingredients are not for long uninterrupted use. Use lawfully sourced Gui Ban, as several turtle species are protected. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy. Huai Niu Xi in the large dose used here strongly directs blood downward and is a classical pregnancy prohibition; Dai Zhe Shi is likewise avoided, and Chuan Lian Zi carries hepatic cautions. High blood pressure in pregnancy is a serious obstetric problem — it may be pre-eclampsia — and must be managed by an obstetric team, never with a herbal formula in place of monitoring and treatment.
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）— pattern analysis cross-checked.
4. Pharmacopoeial monograph on 川楝子 Toosendan Fructus — dose limit and hepatic cautions; CITES and national listings for testudines used as 龟板.
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.