Xie Xin Tang (Drain the Epigastrium Decoction)
- Clear Heat and Relieve Toxicity
- Da Huang
- Huang Lian
- Huang Qin
- Da Huang purges upper jiao and middle jiao fire downward through defecation.
- Huang Lian drains fire from the middle jiao.
- Huang Qin drains fire from the upper jiao.
Function: Drains fire, relieves toxicity, and dries dampness.
Indications: Interior excess fire blazing therefore there is recess movement of Blood
Symptoms:
- High fever, irritability, unconscious delirium.
- Vomiting of blood or nosebleed (Blood Level)
- Red, swollen eyes, ulceration of the tongue and mouth (UJ fire, Ht, Lv).
- Dysentery with blood and pus in defecation or jaundice.
- Carbuncles and sores with constipation.
Tongue: Greasy and yellow coating
Clinical Applications:
- This formula is especially appropriate for cases with constipation. If the cases do not have constipation or the evil fire is not severe, omit Sheng Da Huang and replace with Zhi Da Huang.
- Compared with Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, both can drain fire, relieve toxicity, and clear damp heat, but this formula is more used for LJ damp heat.
- For cases due to damp heat accumulation, this formula is appropriate for more heat than damp. If the damp heat transforms into fire and injures the fluids marked by dry mouth and tongue, add Tian Hua Fen, Lu Gen, and Sheng Di Huang. If both damp and heat, there is thick, yellow and greasy tongue coating, oppression in the chest, and nausea, add Ban Xia and Hou Po.
- For sores and carbuncles, this formula can be externally used in powder form.
Cautions and Contraindications: All the ingredients are bitter and cold and can easily transform into dryness and injure Yin, so the formula is contraindicated for cases due to Yin deficiency with vigorous fire.