Shi Zao Tang, Ten-Jujube Decoction, is Gan Sui, Jing Da Ji and Yuan Hua. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that drive out excess water, and records it as driving out retained water and thin fluids drastically.

Herb

Amount

gan sui

—

jing da ji

—

yuan hua

—

Actions and indications

Drastically drives out retained water and thin fluids

Suspended fluids (xuan yin): water and Phlegm-fluid lodged in the chest and hypochondrium, in a patient whose constitution is robust
Coughing that brings on sharp pain of the chest and ribs, worse with deep breathing or changing position
Chest pain reaching through to the back, making it hard to breathe in; wheezing, fullness of the chest and shortness of breath
Hard, focal distention of the epigastrium; abdominal distention or swelling
Dry retching, headache, dizziness and vertigo
Edema of the whole body, worse below, with difficult urination and bowel movements
Tongue with a slippery white coat; pulse deep and wiry

Modern uses

Pleural effusion
Pleuritis
Exudative pleurisy
Pericardial effusion
Pneumonia
Ascites
Liver cirrhosis with ascites
Nephritis
Nephrotic syndrome
Uremia
Edema
Obesity
Headache
Schizophrenia
Abdominal fullness and distention
Gastric hyperacidity
Epidemic hemorrhagic fever
Nausea and vomiting
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Dyspnea

Cautions

caution Each of its three main herbs (Yuan Hua, Gan Sui, Jing Da Ji) is toxic and violently purgative, making this one of the most dangerous formulas; give it only with an experienced practitioner supervising directly

caution Reserve it for when it is truly needed, in robust patients only, and never use it casually or repeatedly

caution Possible toxic effects include severe vomiting, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea; overdose can lead to dehydration, shock or breathing difficulty

contraindication A weak or deficient constitution, chronic wasting illness, or ulceration or bleeding of the digestive tract

caution If a weak patient must take it, use extreme care and give it together with a Qi-tonifying formula

paediatric Traditionally regarded as unsuitable for children

caution Traditionally regarded as unsuitable for the elderly

caution Licorice (Gan Cao) must not be given with it, since classically it is incompatible with Gan Sui

caution The three purgative herbs are not decocted; processing them with vinegar may lessen their side effects

pregnancy Contraindicated in pregnancy

Pinyin

shi zao tang

English Name

Ten- JuJube Decoction

shi zao tang

About shi zao tang

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Drastically drives out retained water and thin fluids

Modern uses

Symptoms

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification