In males, symptoms like bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, dizziness, tinnitus, and dark yellow or reddish urine are often attributed to damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder. Many people use Longdan Xiegan Wan for regulation. This classic formula, derived from "Yifang Jijie" (Collected Explanations of Medical Formulas), excels at clearing the liver and gallbladder and promoting diuresis to eliminate damp-heat. However, its nature is cold and cooling. Taking it alone can easily damage the spleen and stomach, leading to abdominal distension and loose stools.

Analyzing its herbal combination reveals three hidden mechanisms: the first group, including Gentian (Longdan), Scutellaria (Huangqin), and Gardenia (Zhizi), is bitter and cold, clearing heat and drying dampness, specifically targeting excess fire in the liver and gallbladder. The second group, including Akebia (Mutong), Alisma (Zexie), and Plantago Seeds (Cheqianzi), promotes diuresis and leaches out dampness, expelling damp-heat through urination. The third group, including Chinese Angelica (Danggui), Rehmannia (Dihuang), Bupleurum (Chaihu), and Licorice (Gancao), uses the warm nature of Angelica and the neutral Licorice to nourish yin and protect healthy qi, preventing cold and cooling herbs from damaging the constitution.

It is suitable for individuals with a red tongue and yellow, greasy coating, a hot temper, flank pain after getting angry, or dizziness and headache after staying up late and drinking alcohol.

Share 3 golden combinations:

Combined with Xiangsha Liujun Wan:

Its medicinal properties are warm, invigorating qi, strengthening the spleen, harmonizing the stomach, and neutralizing coldness. It is suitable for men with damp-heat and poor digestion, bloating, and poor appetite.

Paired with Danzhi Xiaoyao Wan:

When liver fire is excessive, it tends to disturb the heart-spirit, leading to restlessness, insomnia, and waking between 1–3 a.m. Combining the two clears liver fire and calms the heart-spirit, helping you get a good night's sleep.

Paired with Ermiao Wan:

When damp-heat descends, it easily causes conditions like scrotal dampness or recurrent athlete's foot. Ermiao Wan's Cortex Phellodendri specifically targets damp-heat in the lower jiao, while Atractylodes rhizome dries dampness and strengthens the spleen. Combined with Longdan Xiegan Wan, they work synergistically to thoroughly eliminate damp-heat in the lower jiao.