Formulas · Purge Downward 瀉下 · Samin (三因)

Rhubarb Left Channel Decoction

Daehwangjwagyeong-tang

한글 대황좌경탕 · Pinyin Da Huang Zuo Jing Tang

大黃左經湯

Cut and made into one packet, decocted as above. Note on modern practice: rhubarb is a stimulant purgative; short courses only.

Composition 構成

Daehwang Da Huang
大黃 대황 · Rhubarb

4 g
Chief 君
Ganghwal Qiang Huo
羌活 강활 · Notopterygium

2.8 g
Deputy 臣
Baekbokryeong Fu Ling
白茯苓 백복령 · Poria (white)

2.8 g
Assistant 佐
Sesin Xi Xin
細辛 세신 · Asarum

2.8 g
Assistant 佐
Jeonho Qian Hu
前胡 전호 · Peucedanum

2.8 g
Assistant 佐
Jigak Zhi Qiao
枳殼 지각 · Bitter Orange

2.8 g
Assistant 佐
Hubak Hou Po
厚朴 후박 · Magnolia Bark

2.8 g
Assistant 佐
Hwanggeum Huang Qin
黃芩 황금 · Scutellaria

2.8 g
Assistant 佐
Haengin Xing Ren
杏仁 행인 · Apricot Kernel

2.8 g
Assistant 佐
Gamcho Gan Cao
甘草 감초 · Licorice

2.8 g
Envoy 使

Total 29.2 g per packet (첩) · representative dosage — verify against source texts.

Received this formula from your practitioner? Amounts shown here are classical reference values — granule and prepared products differ. Always follow your prescribed dosage and directions.

Actions 效能

Frees the Yang-brightness channel where the four Qi have poured in
Opens a bound stool so the red swelling can come down

Indications 主治

Pattern-based

The four Qi pouring into the foot Yang-brightness channel (四氣流注足陽明經)
Lumbus and legs red and swollen with pain that prevents walking
Stool and urine bound and rough

Biomedical correlates

Leg swelling with constipation
Inflammatory leg swelling of the anterior line
Acute leg qi with bowel involvement

Source text 原文

Donguibogam 東醫寶鑑

治四氣流注足陽明經, 腰脚赤腫, 痛不可行, 大小便秘澁. 大黃一錢, 羌活ㆍ茯苓ㆍ細辛ㆍ前胡ㆍ枳殼ㆍ厚朴ㆍ黃芩ㆍ杏仁ㆍ甘草各七分. 右剉, 作一貼, 煎法同上. 《三因》

Translation

Treats the four Qi pouring into the foot Yang-brightness channel, with lumbus and legs red and swollen, pain that makes walking impossible, and stool and urine bound and rough. Rhubarb 1 don; notopterygium, poria, asarum, hogfennel, bitter orange husk, magnolia bark, scutellaria, apricot kernel, and licorice, 7 fun each. Cut the above, make one packet, decoct as above. — Samin 三因 (Donguibogam · Jok)

Clinical commentary 臨床

The Yang-brightness member, and rhubarb leads because that channel runs down the front of the leg and connects to the bowel. The indication pairs red swollen legs with bound stool, and the chapter's whole strategy for leg qi is to open downward — so here the opening is quite literal. Note the apricot kernel, which is unusual in a leg formula and is present to free the Lung above while the bowel is opened below. — Eui Young (Justin) Chung, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.