Zhu Ru Wen Dan Tang
Star竹茹温胆汤 (Bamboo Decoction to Warm the Gallbladder)
Source: Wan Bing Hui Chun — Gong Ting-Xian (Ming, 1587)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhu Ru Wen Dan Tang (Bamboo Decoction to Warm the Gallbladder), from the Wan Bing Hui Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian.
Actions: Clears heat and dissolves phlegm; Regulates qi and calms the shen (spirit).
Presentation: Accumulation of heat and phlegm in the Heart and Gallbladder: tendency to get easily frightened and scared, palpitations, insomnia, mild and persistent fever, and copious phlegm in the chest.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1217.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 6g
|
6g | 11.76% | enters shaoyang; for chronic febrile disorders; with Xiang Fu regulates Liver and Gallbladder | |
|
Zhu Ru
as printed: Zhu Ru (Caulis Bambusae in Taenia) 6g
|
6g | 11.76% | dissolves phlegm, clears Gallbladder heat | |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 6g
|
6g | 11.76% | eliminates phlegm, relieves chest congestion | |
|
Zhi Shi
chao (dry-fried) with bran; as printed: Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) 6g
|
6g | 11.76% | breaks qi stagnation, dispels phlegm | |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 2.94% | clears damp-heat | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 15g
|
15g | 29.41% | tonifies qi, generates fluids, calms the shen | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 4.71% | regulates qi, dries dampness | |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 4.71% | dissolves phlegm, descends Stomach qi | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 4.71% | strengthens Spleen, eliminates dampness | |
|
Xiang Fu
as printed: Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 4.71% | regulates Liver qi | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 1.76% | with Sheng Jiang and Da Zao strengthens Spleen, harmonizes Stomach |
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 (-0.02)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 3%, cool 35%, neutral 23%, warm 39%.
Pairs warm and cool. 39% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 38% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Huang Lian 1.5g (cold, 3% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 24%
- sweet 32%
- sour 4%
- bitter 37%
- bland 2%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 69%
- Spleen 65%
- Heart 51%
- Kidney 34%
- Stomach 33%
- Gallbladder 27%
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
Coarse powder decocted in water with 3 slices Sheng Jiang and 1 Da Zao.
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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
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.
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