Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Functions

Editor’s Note: The FDA has restricted the use of this product, due to potential damage to the kidneys. This formula is not recommended for use.

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang mainly functions to purge dampness and heat in the liver and gallbladder. It is primarily used to treat symptoms induced by dampness and heat in the liver and gallbladder, such as dizziness, reddish eyes, gingival swelling and pain, tinnitus and deafness, bitter taste in the mouth, pain in hypochondrium, reddish urine, urination difficulty, and leukorrhea.

Dosage Info

Decoction: oral administration 2 times a day. Water pill: 6-9g a day. Honeyed pill: one pill each time. Tablets: 3-4 tablets each time, 2 times a day. 5:1 concentrated extract: 9 grams/day.

Ingredients

Precautions

General: Avoid hot and spicy foods while under treatment with this formula.

Pregnancy: Exercise caution when prescribing this formula to pregnant women.

Pharmacology

Antibacterial effects: Experiments show that Long Dan Xie Gan Tang can inhibit in vitro micrococci and the following bacteria: Staphylococci aureus, Staphylococci epidermidis, E. coli, Proteus vulgaris and Shigella flexneri. (1) In addition, as demonstrated in Oxford cup method bacteriostatic experiments, the formula is bacteriostatic to Streptococci B. (2)

Anti-inflammatory effects: At dosages of 2.5g/kg, 5g/kg, and 10g/kg, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang can inhibit increases in capillary permeability in mice and egg albumin-induced edema in rats. (3)

Anti-anaphylectic effect: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang can inhibit passive skin allergic reaction in rats. The formula is also effective in protecting guinea pigs from death due to anaphylactic shock. (4)

Enhancing immunity: Administered to young mice by intraperitoneal injection at the daily dosage of 50g/kg for six consecutive days, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is shown to increase the weight of the subjects’ thymus gland. The formula is also shown to increase macrophages’ phagocytic capacity, raising both the phagocytic rate and index, and promote lymphocyte transformation. (5) Furthermore, experiments show that the formula has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on induced intra-macrophage formation of NO. (6)

Anti-oxidation effect: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is effective in eliminating peroxide anion free radicals and hydroxide free radicals. It also inhibits lipid peroxidation induced by hydroxide free radicals. (7)

Anti-convulsive effect: Administered to mice by endogastric infusion at 15.25/kg, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang can counteract convulsion. (8)

Clinical Applications

Eczema
Dou, et al. treated 218 cases of anal eczema with this formula. The formula is administered both internally and applied externally, and the study reported a 100% effective rate. (9)

Lu treated 29 cases of acute scrotal eczema with a modification of this formula. The modified formula consisted of Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), Ze Xie (Alisma), Mu Tong (Akebia), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Che Qian Zi (Paintain Seed), Ku Shen (Sophora Root), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Bai Xian Pi (Dittany Bark), Di Fu Zi (Kochia), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root). The formula was used for washing and oral administration. The results: after 1-3 courses of treatment, all cases resolved. (10)

Huang, et al. treated 27 cases of chronic scrotal eczema with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (oral administration, in boluses) and Hua Tuo Gao (external application, in paste). A comparison group of 22 cases was treated with decloxizine (oral administration) and dycloninine cream (external application). After 6 weeks of treatment, all cases in both groups resolved. However, the amount of time it took for the cases of the treatment group to resolve was shorter (P

References

  1. Gao Ling Ling, et al. In vitro bacteriostatic of the constituent herbs of 6 traditional formulas. Journal of Chinese Patented Medicine. 1998;20(6):22-24.
  2. Tan Yu Zhi, et al. The pharmacology of Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Application of TCM. 1991;7(1):5-7.
  3. Tan Yu Zhi, et al. The pharmacology of Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Application of TCM. 1991;7(1):5-7.
  4. Tan Yu Zhi, et al. The pharmacology of Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Application of TCM. 1991;7(1):5-7.
  5. Wu He Suan, et al. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang’s effects on immunity. Journal of Chinese Patented Medicine Research. 1984;(2):21-22.
  6. Feng Yi Ying, et al. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang’s effect on abdominal macrophage’s production of NO. Tianjin Journal of TCM. 2000;17(3):39-40.
  7. Feng Yi Ying, et al. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang’s effects on lipid peroxidation induced by oxygen free radicals and hydoxide free radicals. China Journal of TCM Optometry. 2000;10(2):63-65.
  8. Lu Yue Ming, et al. The sedative and anti-convulsive effects of Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, and Jian Ling Tang. Journal of Nanjin University of TCM. 2000;16(1):33-34.
  9. Dou Xiu Kui, et al. Treating 218 cases of anal eczema with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. Youdong Journal of TCM. 2000;19(4):216.
  10. Lu Yi Pei, et al. Treating 29 cases of acute scrotal eczema with a modification of Long Dan Xie Gan Tang. Guangxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1998;21(1):37.