Wen Dan Tang

(Warm the Gallbladder Decoction)

Sub-Category:

• Formulas that Dry Dampness and Expel Phlegm

Actions:

• Clears Gallbladder heat, regulates Qi, reduces phlegm, and regulates the stomach

Indications:

• Nausea and vomiting, bitter taste, sour regurgitation, dizziness, vertigo, anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, slight thirst, and gnawing hunger
• Seizures with copious sputum and focal distension in the chest.

Possible Tongue Appearance:

• Red with a greasy yellow coat

Possible Pulse Patterns:

• Rapid and slippery pulse
• Rapid wiry pulse

Western Uses:

• Chronic Tracheitis
• Bronchitis
• Pulmonary Emphysema
• Insomnia
• Timidity

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

• Do not use in cases where insomnia or palpitations are due to Blood deficiency, or in dizziness due to Yin deficiency
• This formula contains one or more toxic substances (while some Chinese herbs are toxic, it must be noted that many come prepared, or are combined, to mitigate their toxicity).

Preparation Notes:

• Decoction. Da Zao is only sometimes added.

Originally Appeared In:

• Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition (Yi Zong Jin Jian)

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

• Lungs, Stomach, Gall Bladder, Large Intestine, Spleen, Heart

Substances in this Formula (8 Total):

	Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings) Qty: 6 grams Chan: GB, LU, ST Prop: Sweet, Slightly Cold Latin: Bambusae Caulis In Taeniam Cat: Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat
	Zhi Shi (Immature Fruit of the Bitter Orange) Qty: 6 grams Chan: LI, SP, ST Prop: Bitter, Spicy, Slightly Cold Latin: Fructus Immaturus Citri Aurantii Cat: Herbs that Regulate the Qi
	Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome) Qty: 6 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm, Toxic Latin: Rhizoma Pinelliae Tematae Cat: Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
	Chen Pi (Orange Peel, Citrus Peel, Tangerine Peel) Qty: 9 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Bitter, Warm, Aromatic Latin: Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Cat: Herbs that Regulate the Qi
	Fu Ling (Sclerotium of Tuckahoe, China Root, Poria, Hoelen) Qty: 4.5 grams Chan: HT, SP, LU Prop: Sweet, Bland, Neutral Latin: Scierotium Poriae Cocos Cat: Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness
	Gan Cao (Licorice Root) Qty: 3 grams Chan: All 12 (Primarily the LU, HT, SP, ST) Prop: Sweet, Neutral Latin: Radix Glycyrrhizae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) Qty: 3-6 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Da Zao (Date, Jujube) Qty: 3-5 pieces Chan: SP, ST Prop: Sweet, Warm Latin: Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi

References

Formulas

• 15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition)
  - Qiao Yi

Herbs

• 13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article)
  - Fugh-Berman A.
• 17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition)
  - John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen
• 26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition)
  - Max Wichtl

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist.
Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.