Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
葛根黄芩黄连汤 · Gé Gēn Huáng Qín Huáng Lián Tāng
A Shang Han Lun formula for exterior not fully resolved with interior heat pouring downward, causing fever and diarrhoea (or dysentery-like stools) with a rapid pulse.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Damp-Heat
- Primary Function
- Release exterior, clear interior heat, stop diarrhoea
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear heat from the exterior and interior and stop dysentery-like diarrhoea
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A Shang Han Lun formula for exterior not fully resolved with interior heat pouring downward, causing fever and diarrhoea (or dysentery-like stools) with a rapid pulse.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for diarrhoea with heat signs and incomplete resolution of the exterior — the representative formula for heat-type diarrhoea rather than cold or Liver-Spleen patterns.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
Classical Composition
- Radix Puerariae (Ge Gen) 15g
- Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin) 9g
- Rhizoma Coptidis (Huang Lian) 9g
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 6g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Releases the exterior and clears interior heat
- treating heat dysentery with lingering exterior signs.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for unresolved exterior with interior heat pouring downward.
- Signs and symptoms include fever, sweating, burning diarrhea or dysentery, and a rapid pulse.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue coating is yellow.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by damp-heat brewing in the middle or lower jiao, or streaming into the channels.
- Unresolved exterior with interior heat pouring downward produces fever, sweating and burning dysentery or diarrhea.
Clinical presentation
- Heat and dampness together produce a heavy, burning or greasy presentation with yellow coating and a slippery rapid pulse.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to clear heat, drain dampness, and resolve the brewing pathogen.
- In this formula the emphasis is to clear heat from the exterior and interior and stop dysentery-like diarrhoea.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang clears heat for feverish diarrhoea with residual exterior signs. Bai Tou Weng Tang is stronger for damp-heat dysentery with more toxin. Li Zhong Tang warms the Middle for cold-type diarrhoea. Tong Xie Yao Fang soothes Liver and strengthens Spleen for painful diarrhoea from Liver-Spleen disharmony.
Clinical Differentiation
- Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang is used for an unresolved exterior with interior heat pouring downward as burning diarrhea or dysentery.
- Ge Gen releases the lingering exterior while Huang Qin and Huang Lian clear interior heat.
- It is distinguished from Bai Tou Weng Tang (deeper dysentery heat-toxin) and from Ge Gen Tang (pure exterior, no dysentery).
Safety notes: Huang Qin and Huang Lian are bitter and cold. This formula is not appropriate for deficiency-cold diarrhea.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang?
Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang has the actions of releasing the exterior and clearing the interior, clearing Heat, and stopping dysentery or diarrhea. It addresses residual exterior Heat while clearing Damp-Heat that has entered the intestines.
Which modern diseases is Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within residual exterior with interior Heat or intestinal Damp-Heat, including acute bacterial dysentery, acute gastroenteritis with fever and foul diarrhea, certain inflammatory bowel presentations with Heat signs, and supportive use in some Damp-Heat patterns associated with metabolic issues.
Is Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang suitable for improving fever with foul-smelling diarrhea and burning anus?
For presentations of fever (often with sweating), urgent foul-smelling diarrhea, burning sensation around the anus, thirst, irritability or chest/epigastric heat, a yellow tongue coating, and a rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms residual exterior Heat with interior intestinal Heat — TCM commonly applies Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang (Kudzu, Scutellaria and Coptis Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Nong's Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang (Kudzu, Scutellaria and Coptis Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Exterior Unresolved with Interior Heat
Bai Tou Weng Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Damp-Heat Dysentery & Hot Bloody Diarrhea
Tong Xie Yao Fang: Classic TCM Formula for Painful Diarrhea, Liver-Spleen Disharmony
Li Zhong Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Spleen Deficiency, Cold & Diarrhea
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.