Zi Dang Gao

Zi Dang Gao (Lithospermum/Arnebia and Tangkuei Ointment), from Complete Book of Patterns and Treatments in External Medicine (1831).

Actions: Clears heat; Cools the blood; Resolves toxicity; Moistens dryness; Relieves pain and itching

Indications: Originally lip sores; now skin rashes presenting as heat toxin, dry, itching or painful lesions; calluses and dry cracked skin

Pattern: Heat toxin and dryness in the skin

Composition note: Source text does not specify sesame oil or beeswax quantities; the book's amounts are estimates.

Cautions:

• None noted

Modifications:

• As a base for soft plasters: add powdered herbs up to one-fifth of final weight
• Blood stasis rashes: add powdered ru xiang and mo yao
• More heat-clearing: add powdered huang bai, huang lian or fu rong ye, or cook huang bai or huang lian in the oil
• Acute hot eczema-like rashes: mix in Qing Dai San

Category: External Formulas for External Disorders.

Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 898.

Soak herbs in sesame oil a week, heat gently until dang gui browns, cool and strain, reheat and melt in beeswax, pour into jars. Rub in 3-4 times daily or apply on gauze changed daily.