The Snake and Dragon Teapills or Long Dan Xie Gan Wan is a famous and powerful formula for clearing Fire [Heat, a Yang aspect] and is indicated for draining the fire [excess heat] out of your body. Liver Fire, Heart Fire and Damp Heat [related to the Gallbladder Channel] are all common terms used in Chinese Herbal Medicine to describe a serious condition in which the element heat [a Yang aspect] has risen to a level that can cause disease in many different manifestations.
Many, many disharmonies may occur with Liver, Gallbladder and Heart Fire patterns such as: redness in the face, bleeding gums, dark/odorous urine, insomnia, bad breath, dizziness, constipation, urinary tract infection or vaginal infections, yeast infections, burning urination, chronic fever or clammy skin, ear/nose/throat infections, blood in the urine or stools, inability to concentrate, red eyes, hot flashes or sweat under stress, excessive sweating with exercise, increased thirst, ringing of the ears, lower back pain, a restless behavior, costal distention or pain, headache, particularly severe headaches on the sides of the head, top of the head, or behind the eyes, dizziness, red complexion, irritability, easily angered, bitter taste in the mouth, red, swollen and painful eyes, ear pain and swelling, loud tinnitus, hearing loss or sudden deafness, dark, scanty, difficult or painful urination, constipation, genital swelling, sweating, itching and pain, and foul smelling discharge from the genitals.
The goal with the The Snake and Dragon Teapills is to two fold: to release, drive or clear Fire [Heat] out of your body and replenish the damaged Blood and Yin [a cooling aspect] with such herbs as Dan Gui and Sheng Di Huang. The Snake and Dragon Teapills works by clearing damp-heat from the Liver and Gallbladder Organ Systems, clearing damp-heat from the lower part area of your body including the bladder and large colon and cooling fire from your Liver Organ System.
An excessive accumulation of the element Fire can cause your Shen or Spirit to not have a place to rest with a resulting irritable, wandering and unsettled Mind. Emotions related to anger, anxiety and outburst are related to Liver fire including tension headaches related to the eyes, bright lights, back/side of head and neck. Chronic neck and shoulder tension can be related to the Liver and Gallbladder channels which may be relieved by the use of this formula. By clearing the Fire and replenishing the Yin, the Mind can rest and a body-mind harmony connection and can begin to exist.
Treating Herpes
The Snake and Dragon Teapills can be used as a first strike against all types of herpes, and then followed up by a formula such as Free and Easy Wanderer or Free and Easy Wanderer Plus and then a possible constitutional Blood or Yin Tonic such as: Gui Pi Teapill, Calm Spirit Teapill, Abundant Yin Teapill, Six Flavor Teapill and the like. This is a very general and simplified three tiered herbal regimen approach that works to change your internal environment in addressing this common biomedical virus. You may require the assistance of a qualified Chinese Medicinal Herbalist and should seek one out. We have used this approach with great success.
Possible Eastern Presentations
Chinese Medicine pulse diagnostic
may present as: forceful, wiry, rapid
Chinese Medicine tongue diagnostic
may present as: red, possibly red edges or red dots along the sides and tip with a greasy yellow coat
Possible Western Applications
The Snake and The Dragon Teapills may assist with biomedical problems such as: conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, acute glaucoma, retinitis, retinopathy, uveitis, acute otitis media and externa, boils and carbuncles in the ear, acute nasal furuncle, migraine headache, acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, acute cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, jaundice, herpes simplex, including ocular, oral and genital herpes, herpes zoster, costochondritis, post-herpetic neuralgia, intercostal neuralgia, acute cystitis, acute nephritis, acute pyelonephritis, urethritis, prostatitis, orchitis, epididymitis, lymphadenitis of the groin, pelvic inflammatory disease, acute vulvitis, vaginitis, leukorrhea, genital pruritus, genital eczema, Bartholin's cyst, hypertension, hyperthyroidism
Cautions, Contraindications & Usage
Use with caution during pregnancy. Not recommended for long term use. May be used short to medium-term for a few weeks to a month. Once the acute symptoms of this condition are resolved, this formula should be discontinued. With signs of Spleen Deficiency [weak digestion, bloating, loose stools, fatigue...]or with general Yin Deficiency [general dryness, increased thirst, dry constipation, chronic clammy skin, dry eyes, night sweats...] appropriate constitutional Spleen formulas such as: Six Gentlemen Teapills, Six Gentlemen Plus Teapills and Yin: Eight Flavor Rehmannia Teapills or Emperor's Teapills may be used.
