Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang – Nan Kaiyang

Author: Nan Kaiyang  Editor: Gu Yuxi Translator: Gu Yuxi

Original Text:

“Shanghan Lun” Article 34: In Taiyang disease, if it presents with Guizhi syndrome, but the physician mistakenly administers a purgative, and the diarrhea subsequently becomes uncontrollable, and the pulse is rapid, it indicates that the exterior has not resolved. If there is wheezing and sweating, Gegen Qinlian Tang is the primary treatment.

Pathogenesis：

This Taiyang disease originally involves external pathogenic heat. Due to the physician’s erroneous purgation, or because the patient inherently has long-standing cold in the spleen and stomach, the pathogenic heat either becomes trapped internally or remains in the early Shaoyang stage. This combines with dampness in the spleen and stomach, leading to a collapse of middle qi and damp-heat pouring downwards. This often manifests as diarrhea with heat, sticky and foul-smelling stools, a thick yellow tongue coating, profuse sweating, and external heat. The treatment differs from Ma Huang Lian Qiao Chi Xiao Dou Tang, which addresses stagnant heat in the interior by keeping the patient in a state of slight sweating to expel stubborn damp-heat. This article describes the initial symptoms of damp-heat in the exterior trapped in the Yangming channel, a branch of the Gegen Tang formula.

Differentiation and Medication:

This refers to diarrhea with heat due to the collapse of middle qi and damp-heat pouring downwards, resulting in both exterior and interior deficiencies. The internal dampness is excessive, causing wheezing, and the deficient stomach qi is disturbed by guest heat, leading to a rapid pulse. The treatment should aim to stop the diarrhea, resolve the Taiyang pathogenic heat, and replenish the fluids lost due to diarrhea, thereby restoring the body’s zheng qi, resolving the heat toxins, and spontaneously stopping the diarrhea.

Disclaimer:​

The experiences and insights shared above represent the author’s personal usage and understanding, and are provided for reference only as part of academic exchange. Please do not blindly replicate or apply them; any consequences arising from such actions are solely your responsibility. As individual constitutions vary, medication should be tailored accordingly. It is advisable to use such treatments under the guidance of a qualified physician. If you have additional experiences to share, comments and submissions are welcome.​
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