Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentiana Liver-Draining Decoction) lóng dǎn xiè gān tāng · 龙胆泻肝汤

Safety. This formula is historically the most cited case of harm from a Chinese herbal patent medicine. When 关木通 (Aristolochia manshuriensis) was used in place of the correct akebia, the resulting aristolochic acid caused kidney failure and urinary-tract cancer in a well-documented group of patients, which is why the aristolochia species is now prohibited and only properly identified 川木通 or 白木通 may be used. Gentian root is intensely bitter and cold and can injure the stomach when used inappropriately or for too long. Bupleurum and scutellaria both have documented liver-related adverse reports in the modern literature. Contains licorice. Long-term use of this formula is not appropriate without supervision. Amounts are deliberately not given here.