Xie Xin Tang, Drain the Epigastrium Decoction, is Da Huang, Huang Lian and Huang Qin. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that clear Heat and relieve toxicity, and records it as draining Fire and resolving Damp-Heat focal distension.

Herb

Amount

da huang

6 g

huang lian

3 g

huang qin

3 g

Actions and indications

Drains Fire and purges Heat

Excess Heat or Fire in the Upper and Middle Jiao
Sudden bleeding forced by Heat, bright or dark red: nosebleed or vomiting blood
With it a flushed face, agitation, thirst, dark urine and constipation
Tongue red with a yellow, often greasy coat; pulse rapid and forceful, sometimes floating and rapid at the right middle position

Resolves Damp-Heat focal distension

A stuffy, full feeling under the breastbone; on palpation the area is soft and painless
Often a bitter taste, nausea or a heavy feeling from accompanying Damp

Resolves toxicity

Heat-toxin signs such as mouth and tongue sores, red painful eyes, sore throat, or skin sores and carbuncles

Modern uses

Gastritis and irritation of the stomach lining
Hyperlipidaemia
Obesity
Gut dysbiosis
Heat-type presentations with a red face and agitation, sometimes seen with high blood pressure

Cautions

contraindication Patterns of Cold or deficiency (pale tongue, weak thin pulse, cold limbs, loose stools), where it can harm digestion and drain Yang

caution Not for long or unsupervised use: Da Huang is a stimulant laxative, and overuse can harm Spleen and Stomach Yang Qi, with cramping, diarrhoea and cold limbs

caution The fullness it treats is soft and painless; a hard, painful or persistent mass needs medical assessment

caution Any active or unexplained bleeding (nosebleed, vomiting blood, blood in the stool) should be medically assessed before or alongside herbal treatment

caution With other medicines: its herbs interact with one another in action and absorption, as other formulas containing anthraquinones and berberine do; review use with a practitioner

pregnancy Da Huang is a purgative that may stimulate the uterus; generally avoided in pregnancy, and used only under professional guidance

lactation Generally avoided while breastfeeding, and used only under professional guidance

Pinyin

xie xin tang

English Name

drain the epigastrium decoction

xie xin tang

About xie xin tang

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Drains Fire and purges Heat

Resolves Damp-Heat focal distension

Resolves toxicity

Modern uses

Symptoms

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification