Bai Tou Weng Jia Gan Cao E Jiao Tang
Star白头翁加甘草阿胶汤 (Pulsatilla Decoction plus Licorice and Ass-Hide Gelatin)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Bai Tou Weng Jia Gan Cao E Jiao Tang (Pulsatilla Decoction plus Licorice and Ass-Hide Gelatin), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing — a variation of Bai Tou Weng Tang.
Actions: Clears heat; Eliminates toxins; Tonifies blood; Nourishes yin.
Presentation: Toxic heat dysentery with blood and yin deficiencies; originally for postpartum women after delivery.
Composition: Bai Tou Weng Tang plus Gan Cao and E Jiao
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 410.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bai Tou Weng
as printed: Bai Tou Weng (Radix Pulsatillae) 6g [15g]
|
15g | 26.32% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 6g [3g]
|
3g | 5.26% | nourishes blood and yin | |
|
E Jiao
as printed: E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) 6g [9g]
|
9g | 15.79% | nourishes blood and yin | |
|
Qin Pi
as printed: Qin Pi (Cortex Fraxini) 9g [12g]
|
12g | 21.05% | — | |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 10.53% | — | |
|
Huang Bai
as printed: Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis) 9g [12g]
|
12g | 21.05% | — |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net cold (-1.58)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 79%, neutral 21%.
Taste
- sweet 21%
- bitter 79%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 79%
- Liver 47%
- Stomach 42%
- Kidney 37%
- Gallbladder 32%
- Lung 21%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Source: cook in 7 cups [1,400 mL] water down to 2.5 cups [500 mL]; dissolve E Jiao in the strained decoction; take warm in three equal doses. May be decocted today at bracketed doses.
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Formula family
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
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Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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