shi gao tang

Gypsum Decoction

About shi gao tang

Shi Gao Tang, Gypsum Decoction, is Shi Gao, Ma Huang, Dan Dou Chi, Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Huang Bai and Zhi Zi. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that release an Exterior-Interior excess.

Ingredients

Herb	Amount
shi gao	6 g
ma huang	9 g
dan dou chi	9 g
huang lian	6 g
huang qin	6 g
huang bai	6 g
zhi zi	6 g

Actions and indications

Releases the exterior

Unresolved exterior with interior Fire toxin: Wind-Cold outside while Heat builds inside
Strong fever with chills, or high fever alone, and no sweating
Headache, with the body and limbs aching, heavy and tight
Aversion to cold, cough, wheezing and edema
Tongue normal or red with a yellow or white coat; pulse floating and tight or rapid, or rapid with a slippery or flooding quality

Clears Heat and resolves toxicity

Fire toxin spread through the three burners, with thirst, a dry nose, reddened face and eyes, irritability and poor sleep
Restlessness and fidgeting that can turn into delirium with incoherent speech
In severe cases the toxin reaches the Blood, with nosebleed, coughing of blood, or maculae and blotches on the skin
Constipation, and sometimes dry, aching eyes

Modern uses

Acute tonsillitis
Pneumonia
Measles
Eruptive skin infections
Pertussis
Trigeminal neuralgia
Fever
Delirium
Irritability
Edema
Red eyes

Symptoms

Anhidrosis
Aversion to cold
Body aches
Chills
Constipation
Cough
Delirium
Dry eyes
Dry nose
Edema
Epistaxis
Eye pain
Fever
Flushed face
Headache
Heavy body
Heavy limbs
Hemoptysis
High fever
Incoherent speech
Insomnia
Irritability
Purpura
Rash
Red eyes
Restlessness
Shortness of breath
Skin discoloration
Thirst
Wheezing

Modifications

San Jiao pain: + sheng jiang, + da zao, + green tea
Trigeminal neuralgia: + chuan xiong, + bai zhi

Cautions

contraindication No sweating because of Yin deficiency, or fever that comes from deficient Yin and fluids rather than Heat toxin
contraindication Deficiency patterns, including a substantially weak constitution
contraindication Sweating already present
caution Ma Huang is a strong diaphoretic: take care with high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, anxiety or insomnia
caution With MAO inhibitors, or with sympathomimetic or stimulant drugs: possible interaction through Ma Huang
caution Huang Lian, Huang Qin and Huang Bai are bitter and cold and can harm Spleen and Stomach Qi and Yin; not for use beyond the acute stage when digestion is weak
pregnancy Use in pregnancy only under professional guidance, as it pairs a strong diaphoretic with bitter-cold draining herbs

Preparation

Decoction, drunk warm, with the crushed Shi Gao put in the pot ahead of the lighter herbs

Names

Pinyin	shi gao tang
English Name	Gypsum Decoction

Classification

Category: Formulas that Release Exterior - Interior Excess