Gan Jiang Huang Lian Huang Qin Ren Shen Tang
Star干姜黄连黄芩人参汤 (Ginger, Coptis, Scutellaria, and Ginseng Decoction)
Source: Discussion of Cold Damage (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gan Jiang Huang Lian Huang Qin Ren Shen Tang (Ginger, Coptis, Scutellaria, and Ginseng Decoction), from Discussion of Cold Damage (c. 220).
Associated formula of Huang Lian Tang.
Actions: Unblocks the qi dynamic with acrid herbs and directs downward with bitter herbs; Regulates and tonifies the Spleen and Stomach
Indications: Increased diarrhea with vomiting, sometimes immediately after eating
Pattern: Cold rejection: heat above (Stomach) and cold below (Intestines) after mistaken purging of chronic cold diarrhea
Usage: For vomiting soon after eating with diarrhea from heat above and cold below; differs from Rhubarb and Licorice Decoction, which treats pure heat.
Category: Formulas that Harmonize the Stomach and Intestines.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 133.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Zingiberis Rhizoma (gan jiang) 9g
|
9g | 25% | — | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Scutellariae Radix (huang qin) 9g
|
9g | 25% | — | |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Coptidis Rhizoma (huang lian) 9g
|
9g | 25% | — | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ginseng Radix (ren shen) 9g
|
9g | 25% | — |
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 neutral (-0.25)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 50%, warm 25%, hot 25%.
Pairs warm and cool. 50% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 50% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 25%
- sweet 13%
- bitter 63%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Heart 100%
- Lung 75%
- Stomach 75%
- Large intestine 50%
- Gallbladder 50%
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
Decoction. Currently huang lian is commonly 3-6g and dang shen replaces ren shen.
Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
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
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
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.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Gan Jiang Huang Lian Huang Qin Ren Shen Tang.
No notes yet.