Zuo Jin Wan, Left Metal Pill, pairs Huang Lian with Wu Zhu Yu. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that clear Heat from the organs, and records it as clearing Liver Fire and descending rebellious Qi to stop vomiting.

Herb

Amount

huang lian

15 g

wu zhu yu

2 g

Actions and indications

Clears Liver Fire

Liver Fire invading the Stomach, so that Stomach Qi no longer descends
Stagnant Liver Qi, or Liver channel Heat upsetting the Stomach
Distending, burning pain in the flanks and epigastrium
Bitter taste, dry mouth and lips, thirst and irritability
Red tongue, yellow coat; rapid, wiry pulse

Descends rebellious Qi and stops vomiting

Sour regurgitation and heartburn, with belching and hiccups
Nausea and vomiting
A vague, gnawing hunger

Modern uses

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Reflux esophagitis
Esophageal reflux
Esophagitis
Acid regurgitation
Hiatus hernia
Acute gastritis
Chronic gastritis
Gastralgia
Peptic ulcer
H. pylori infection
Indigestion
Nausea and vomiting
Pernicious vomiting
Morning sickness
Hiccups
Hangover
Cholecystitis
Hepatitis
Cirrhosis of the liver
Bacillary dysentery
Allergic colitis
Uterine fibroids
Hypertension
Fever
Stress

Modifications

Diarrhoea or dysentery with cramping abdominal pain from Liver-Stomach disharmony: + bai shao

Damp-Heat dysentery: + mu xiang, − wu zhu yu

Severe distension: + chuan lian zi

Marked acid reflux: + hai piao xiao, + wa leng zi

Liver Qi stagnation with low vitality (combined with Si Ni San)

Severe flank pain: + xiang fu, + fo shou

Abdominal pain: + bai shao

Stress ulcers (combined with Xiao Yao San or Si Ni San)

H. pylori infection (combined with Jia Wei Xiao Yao San): + bai hua she she cao

Pernicious vomiting: + zhi ban xia, + zhu ru

Peptic ulcer with stabbing Stomach pain from Blood stasis (combined with Xiao Yao San): + dan shen, + chi shao

Peptic ulcer with marked acid regurgitation (combined with Xiao Yao San): + hai piao xiao, + wa leng zi

Show all 16 modifications

Peptic ulcer with severe pain or pain in the ribs (combined with Xiao Yao San): + chuan lian zi, + yan hu suo
Peptic ulcer with constipation (combined with Xiao Yao San): + da huang
Peptic ulcer with thirst: + tian hua fen, + lu gen
Augmented version, to course the Liver and regulate Qi more strongly: + chai hu, + bai shao

Cautions

contraindication Acid reflux or vomiting from Stomach Cold, deficiency Cold or Spleen and Stomach deficiency; its cold herbs can further harm Stomach Yang

contraindication Flank pain arising from deficiency of the Liver, Gallbladder or Blood

caution Bitter and cold, it can weaken digestion; where the Spleen and Stomach are weak use it cautiously and usually only for a short time

pregnancy Avoid in pregnancy, or use only under professional guidance

caution With aspirin: it may help protect the Stomach lining from aspirin-induced damage

Pinyin

zuo jin wan

English Name

Left Metal Pill

zuo jin wan

About zuo jin wan

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Clears Liver Fire

Descends rebellious Qi and stops vomiting

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification