Huang qin is one of the few herbs that enter the so-called "pivot" of the body.

Detoxifying since 220 AD. Huang Qin Tang (Scutellaria Decoction) is a simple modification of the #1 formula in Shang Han Lun style Chinese herbalism. The Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Injury) is one of the key Chinese medicine “bibles” (or “classics” as the Chinese say). Huang Qin Tang is pronounced “wong chin tong“.

Alternative Names

• Huang Qin Tang
• Huang Chin Tang
• Scute and Licorice Combination
• 黃芩湯
• Scutellaria Decoction
• Huang-Qin-Tang (HQT)
• PHY906, PHY 906

About this formula

Recently studied as a digestive aid called PHY906 (Huang Qin Tang) in those undergoing Western drug therapy.

Huang Qin Tang was traditionally used for gastrointestinal distress and detoxifying the intestines when resulting in burning crampy diarrhea with a strong odor. However it was not assumed that this diarrhea was due to an infection in the intestines, rather a toxicity issue in other locations of the body, specifically the “Shao Yang pivot.”

Ingredients

Huang Qin 黃苓 baical skullcap root, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (skullcap), scutellaria, scute Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis [supports pregnancy]

• Regulates the Shao Yang. What’s a Shao Yang? In biomedicine there are different organs or structures that can be infected. For instance, when you have the common cold, this is an upper respiratory tract infection. In both biomedicine and Chinese medicine, an infection such as this can spread to other locations.
• One of these locations is called the Shao Yang which is not really an organ, more like a depth which is deeper than the skin, but not as deep as the bones. In fact, it is considered to be the “pivot” or hinge between the exterior of the body (skin, lungs, nose) and the interior of the body (stomach and intestines). This location doesn’t have an anatomical counterpart in biomedicine (some say the Shao Yang is the gallbladder, and in some contexts this is correct, just not here.) The key point about the Shao Yang is that if it is clogged up by disease or side effects of drug therapies (or drug addictions) it can undermine many digestive functions. This is its value in Huang Qin Tang as has been studied by researchers. Huang Qin (Rx. Scutellariae) regulates digestive and intestinal functions

Da Zao 大棗 jujube, Chinese date Jujubae Fructus, Ziziphus jujuba Mill

• Press releases describing the use of Huang Qin Tang to regulate digestive functions describe this formula’s ingredients as having a “fruit from a buckthorn tree”. This seems to be a misprint or misstatement. Other news stories have been corrected to accurately include Da Zao Chinese date as the traditional ingredient in Huang Qin tang.
• The good news is that this Chinese date is sweet and delicious. It is often used in formulas to stimulate digestive functions. Appetite and digestive functions are so important in Chinese medicine that we have a little mini-formula called the “three candies”. These three herbs can be added to many formulas to stimulate the Stomach functions. Two of these herbs (da zao date and gan cao licorice root) are in Huang Qin Tang already. The third of the three candies is included in the modifications for nausea (sheng jiang or ginger root).

Bai Shao 白芍 white peony root, peony Paeoniae Radix alba, Paeonia lactiflora Pall [supports pregnancy]

• This herb, when teamed up with Zhi Gan Cao below helps relax abdominal cramps.

Zhi Gan Cao 炙甘草 licorice root, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (licorice), Radix Glycyrrhizae prep. [caution]

• This herb is often added to formulas to harmonize the ingredients and soften side effects. This is a very sweet-tasting herb. Its name actually translates to “sweet herb”. This herb has a calming and softening quality that protects against side-effects due to the more harsh ingredients in this formula (specifically, huang qin). However in this formula, it also teams up with bai shao (Rx. Paeoniae) to relax abdominal pain and cramps. This herb’s detoxification functions have made gan cao the darling of researchers who study herbal solutions to some of those nasty flus that have been in the news in recent years.

This is a formula generally used when it is needed, as such a higher dosage is indicated. Take 1 level teaspoon of the powder (8 capsules) three times daily. Empty stomach is best for efficient absorption, but not essential. [More…]

At this dosage, your order will last approximately this long (?):

• 100 grams powder (capsules or powder): 2 weeks
• 200 grams powder (powder only): 1 month