Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
龙胆泻肝汤 · Lóng Dǎn Xiè Gān Tāng
The classic formula for excess Liver and Gallbladder Fire blazing upward or Damp-Heat pouring downward. Manifests as headache, red eyes, bitter taste, hypochondriac pain, or lower-jiao symptoms such as difficult urination and genital dampness.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Liver Fire
- Primary Function
- Clear Liver Fire, drain Damp-Heat
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear excess Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder, drain Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao
- Classical Source
- Yi Fang Ji Jie (Analytic Collection of Medical Formulas, Wang Ang, Qing dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
The classic formula for excess Liver and Gallbladder Fire blazing upward or Damp-Heat pouring downward. Manifests as headache, red eyes, bitter taste, hypochondriac pain, or lower-jiao symptoms such as difficult urination and genital dampness.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when the Liver channel shows frank excess Fire and Damp-Heat — bitter taste, red eyes, scanty dark urine — rather than the Yang-rising and internal Wind patterns of Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin and Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang, and opposite in strategy to the nourishing action of Qi Ju Di Huang Wan.
Composition
(Sovereign / Minister / Assistant / Envoy)
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin | Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang | Qi Ju Di Huang Wan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Clear Liver Fire, drain Damp-Heat | Calm Liver Yang, extinguish internal wind, clear heat | Sedate Liver Yang, extinguish internal wind, nourish Yin | Nourish Liver-Kidney Yin, brighten the eyes |
| Formula Category | Heat-Clearing Formulas | Liver-Wind Extinguishing Formulas | Liver-Wind Extinguishing Formulas | Yin-Tonifying Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Liver Fire | Liver Fire | Liver Fire | Kidney Yin Deficiency |
| Main Conditions | Bitter Taste in Mouth ·Damp-Heat Constitution | Headache ·Dizziness & Vertigo ·Tinnitus ·Anxiety Restlessness | Dizziness & Vertigo ·Headache | Dizziness & Vertigo ·Eye Dryness ·Tinnitus ·Night Sweats |
| Main Herbs | Gentian Root ·Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap ·Gardenia Fruit ·Alisma Rhizome ·Akebia Stem | Gastrodia Rhizome ·Uncaria Stem with Hooks ·Abalone Shell ·Gardenia Fruit ·Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap | Achyranthes Root ·Hematite ·Dragon Bone / Fossilized Bone ·Oyster Shell ·Tortoise Plastron | Prepared Rehmannia Root ·Cornus Fruit ·Chinese Yam ·Alisma Rhizome ·Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Bark |
| Classical Source | Yi Fang Ji Jie (Analytic Collection of Medical Formulas, Wang Ang, Qing dynasty) | Zhong Yi Nei Ke Za Bing Zheng Zhi Xin Yi (Hu Guangci, 1958) | Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu (Records of Medicine with Reference to East and West, Zhang Xichun, 1918) | Derived from Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Yi Fang Ji Jie / later traditional sources) |
Clinical Perspective
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang clears excess Fire and Damp-Heat. Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin and Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang address Yang rising / internal Wind (often with Yin deficiency). Qi Ju Di Huang Wan nourishes Liver-Kidney Yin when deficiency is primary rather than excess Fire.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Related Articles
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang: Clearing Intense Liver Fire and Draining Lower Jiao Damp-Heat
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Hoi Tin Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentian Drain the Liver Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Nong's Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentiana Decoction to Drain the Liver) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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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.