Huang Lian Jie Du Wan (Coptis Decoction To Relieve Toxicity)

Clinical Usages

• Clears fire toxins (damp heat, toxic heat, fire) from all three jiaos - formula has an antibiotic function which has a broad range of uses in conditions arising from damp heat in the body.  Acute bacterial infections, dystentary, fever (of unknown origin), acute bronchitis, acute conjunctivitis, UTI.
• Hypertension when it arises from fire/toxic heat.
• A range of skin issues - boils, acne, mastitis, pyogenic skin infections, gingivitis.
• Disorders of the middle jiao - hepatitis (particularly acute infectious), jaundice, H-pylori, gastritis.
• Arrest bleeding in reckless bleeding from heat.
• Gu syndrome conditions with the right underyling factors - IBS, Lyme, other inflammatory conditions.

Clinical Categorization

• Clear Heat
• Clear Heat From The Qi Level

Cautions

• Generally only used for acute situations, rarely taken for longer than 15-20 days.  For longer use watch for signs of damage to the spleen system in TCM terms.
• Avoid in patients with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.  G6PD is an inherited condition usually occurring in males, more commonly in those of African and Mediterranean descent. Triggers include infections, stress, fava beans, aspirin, and other drugs.  When symptoms are triggered, they include fever, dark urine, abdominal and back pain, fatigue, and pale skin.  Most people recover in a few days without treatment, but avoiding relapses is important.