Details of Eleven Ingredient Decoction to Warm the Gall Bladder
Bamboo leaves help clear out the heat that causes anxiety in the Heart.
(We also sell a Zhen Zhu Mu free (clam or oyster shell) version here.)
This formula is for anxiety or restlessness , specifically for someone with a thick tongue coating. . This indicates the presence of turbid dampness in the body. This extra fluid causes bloating, edema and perhaps bags beneath the eyes . Dampness also causes stagnation which leads to heat, which rises to the Heart, and that causes anxiety .
A note about this “Warm the Gall Bladder ” name. Since this formula clears heat, it seems like this is actually an eleven ingredient decoction FOR
More importantly, this formula has at its base an important seven-herb combination used for dampness in the digestive tract with heat in the heart (which then causes restlessness, anxiety and insomnia ). This Warm the Gall Bladder Combination is actually another modification on a damp-resolving formula known as Citrus and Pinellia Combination . Chinese medicine formulas tend to build on past successes.
Alternative Names
This formula is best for those with a tongue coating so thick, you can’t see through it.
Ingredients
Ye Jiao Teng 夜交藤 corydalis rhizome Caulis Polygoni Multiflori
This herb is a vine that nourishes the heart. This produces a sense of calm, peace .
Zhu Ru 竹茹 bamboo shavings Caulis Bambusae in Taeniis [supports pregnancy ]
Huang Lian 黃蓮 coptis rhizome Rhizoma Coptidis
These bamboo shavings “clear heat” from the “Heart”. Coptis removes heat from the “Stomach, Large Intestine and the Heart”. Let’s face it, you don’t want heat inside of you when you’re trying to relax. No matter where the heat comes from, it ends up rising to the Heart where internal heat causes restlessness and anxiety . Obviously this is Chinese medical theory again.
Ban Xia 半夏 pinellia rhizome, pinellia tuber Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae [supports pregnancy ]
Chen Pi 陳皮 aged tangerine peel, citrus Citri reticulatae Pericarpium
Fu Ling 茯苓 sclerotium of tuckahoe, China root, hoelen, Indian bread Poria Cocos
These three herbs “dry damp” which is the underlying problem in this pattern. Too much fluids in the body, usually arising from the stomach and digestive processes. This dampness can ultimately lead to facial bloating or edema . These three herbs help regulate the fluid metabolism for the dampness. You might find yourself urinating a little bit more on this formula, fu ling is a diuretic that helps excrete the excess fluids in the body.
Zhi Shi 枳實 unripe bitter orange, chih-shih Aurantii Fructus immaturus [use caution if pregnant ]
Ever notice how standing in line can make you restless and anxious, but when you’re moving, it is less of a problem? This herb gets your insides moving to address some of that sense of restlessness or anxiety .
Shi Chang Pu 石菖蒲 sweetflag rhizome; acorus Rhizoma Acori Graminei
Yuan Zhi 遠志 Chinese senega root; polygala Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae [use caution if pregnant ]
These two herbs are commonly used together for “phlegm misting the Heart orifices”. That can mean anything from poor memory to severe dementia . Dampness is a precursor to phlegm. This formula addresses both. These two herbs calm the spirit too.
Zhen Zhu Mu – Concha Margaritaferae
sedates fright and calms the Spirit. This is a shell and therefore those with seafood allergies or Kosher concerns may want to see our Zhen Zhu Mu free version.
Gan Cao 甘草 licorice root Radix Glycyrrhizae [caution ]
Gan cao (licorice root) is used to get all of the above ingredients to play together better. It’s sweet nature has a calming effect on any harsh properties that the other herbs may have, but it also adds a calming influence to this formula.
