Long Dan Cao

Long Dan Cao (Gentianae radix) and Chuan Lian Zi (Toosendan fructusj... 

Long Dan Cao and Chuan Lian Zi are two very bitter and cold herbs, both of which enter the Liver meridian. They can strongly clear heat and reduce fire directly. 

Besides intensively draining the fire of the Liver, Long Dan Cao can also dry damp-heat. It is particularly used in conditions where there is excess heat in the Liver that flares upwards and causes disorders in the head and sensory orifices, as well as in conditions where there is damp-heat in the Liver that moves downwards and causes disorders in the Lower-Jiao and the genital area. In a formula to treat acute excess conditions of both Liver fire and damp-heat, Long Dan Cao is often used as chief. 

The very bitter and cold Long Dan Cao is used as chief because it can either drain the fire from the Liver or eliminate the damp-heat from the Lower-Jiao. 

Huang Qin and Zhi Zi, as deputies, enhance the ability of Long Dan Cao to reduce the heat in the Liver and Gall Bladder. 

Ze Xie, Mu Tong and Che Qian Zi are used as assistants to strengthen the function of Long Dan Cao to increase urination and eliminate dampness. 

Since Mu Tong is a poisonous herb and its use is forbidden in many countries, it can be substituted by Ku Zhu Ye (Bambusae amarae folium) or Tong Cao (Tetrapanacis medulla] with Huang Lian (Cop-tidis rhizoma] or Long Dan Cao (Gentianae radix). 

Zhi Zi and Long Dan Cao are bitter and cold. They are often selected in formulas when excess Liver-heat presents. They can directly treat irritability, a bitter taste in the mouth, red eyes, tinnitus and scanty urine due to Liver-heat. 

Zhi Zi enters the Heart, Lung and San Jiao meridians, is able to drain heat from the San Jiao, especially the Heart, and lead the heat out of the body through urination. Long Dan Cao directly enters the Liver meridian. It can powerfully and quickly drain the Liver-fire. Since these herbs have a descending tendency in action, they can enhance the strength of the substances that descend the Liver-Yang. 

Huang Qin (Scutellariae radix), Huang Lian (Coptidis rhizoma), Huang Bai (Phellodendri cortex), Zhi Zi (Gardeniae fructus) and Long Dan Cao (Gentianae radix)... 

If there is a flushed face, heart vexation, and easy anger, to Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San add Rhizoma Coptidis Chinensis Huang Lian) and Radix Gentianae Scabrae Long Dan Cao). 

Radix Gentianae Scabrae (Long Dan Cao), 6g, stir-fried in wine... 

For high fever due to severe heat, add Radix Gentianae Scabrae Long Dan Cao), Radix Isatidis Seu Baphicacanthi (Ban Lan Gen), and Radix Et Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati (Hu Zhang). 

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