Huang Lian Tang
Star黄连汤 (Coptis Decoction)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Huang Lian Tang (Coptis Decoction), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Regulates heat and cold imbalances; Harmonizes the Stomach and corrects the reversed flow of qi.
Presentation: Heat in the chest and cold in the Stomach: irritability, a stifling sensation in the chest, nausea, abdominal pain, borborygmus, diarrhea, a white, slippery tongue coating, and a wiry pulse.
Cautions:
- Do not use for nausea, vomiting and stomach pain due to yin deficiency.
Toxicology: Very low toxicity: oral powder at 27 g/kg for 7 days (about 400x the therapeutic dose) caused no deaths or behavioral abnormalities in mice.
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Antitumor: inhibited esophageal cancer cell lines in vitro; berberine from Huang Lian considered a main active constituent
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 271.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 16.67% | Jun (Chief) | clears heat in the Stomach and upper jiao |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 16.67% | Chen (Deputy) | warms the middle and lower jiaos |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 16.67% | Chen (Deputy) | helps Gan Jiang disperse cold; warms and opens the channels and collaterals |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae, xi (washed)) 0.5 cup [9g]
|
9g | 25% | Chen (Deputy) | harmonizes the Stomach and relieves nausea |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 6g [3g]
|
3g | 8.33% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies and harmonizes the middle jiao |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae, bo (opened)) 12 pieces [4 pieces]
|
4pieces | 100% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies and harmonizes the middle jiao |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 16.67% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies the middle jiao and harmonizes the herbs |
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 slightly warm (+0.50)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 17%, neutral 17%, warm 50%, hot 17%.
Taste
- pungent 50%
- sweet 29%
- bitter 21%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 83%
- Spleen 83%
- Stomach 75%
- Heart 75%
- Large intestine 17%
- Gallbladder 17%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Da Zao.
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 10 cups [2,000 mL] water to 6 cups [1,200 mL]; take 1 cup [200 mL] warm, strained, three times during the day and twice at night. Today decocted at the 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.
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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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