Long Dan Cao
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Long Dan Cao in TCM:

Explore the properties of Long Dan Cao according to Chinese
Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):


Factoids:
English Name: gentiana
Pharmacuetical Name: Radix Gentianae
Properties: bitter, cold


Temperature: cold

Channels: LV, GB

Flavors: bitter

Special Properties:
clears heat, clears damp, disperses wind


Actions / Indications:
  • Dries damp-heat from LV and GB (damp-heat in lower jiao; damp-heat or fire in upper portion of gallbladder channel: red, swollen ears, ear or sinus infection, sudden deafness; swelling or pain in genitals, jaundice, hypochondria pain)
  • Drains LV / GB fire (flank pain, Liver fire blazing up with headache, fever, red eyes, irritability; Liver fire blazing creating Liver wind with spasms, convulsions)

    Special Notes:
  • Clears damp heat from the lower jiao especially LV/GB
  • Clears liver fire blazing with wind and spasms
  • .At a low dosage (< 1g) Long Dan Cao stimulates the digestion, at a large dosage it irritates the stomach and can cause nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite.

Contraindications:
  • (cc: SP and ST deficiency with diarrhea)
  • (cc: yin fluid deficiency)