Da Huang Actions and Indications
	
        - Strongly purges accumulations ( yangming organ heat: 
          thirst, constipation;excess heat in intestines, abdominal distension 
          and pain; delerium; yellow tongue coat, full pulse)
 
        - Drains damp heat (acute, hot dysenteric disorder; 
          damp heat jaundice; PUD; also excess edema, fluid retention)
 
        - Clears heat, drains fire, stops bleeding (fever, 
          sore throat, red swollen painful eyes, headache, swollen gums, mouth 
          and tongue ulcers with constipation; blood in stool due to hemorrhoids 
          or heat in intestines; reckless movement of blood: hematemesis, epistaxis, 
          uterine bleeding)
 
        - Invigorates blood; resolves stasis (amenorrhea, immobile 
          abdominal masses, trauma, acute and chronic blood stasis)
 
        - Clears heat and toxicity (heat obstructing blood 
          with toxicity: intestinal abcess, fire toxin sores, hot skin lesions, 
          boils, carbuncles, burns: internally or 
          topically administered)
 
        - (cc: pregnancy)
 
        - (cc: nursing mothers)
 
        - (cc: during menstruation)
 
        - (cc: exterior disorders)
 
        - (cc: SP and ST deficient cold)
 
       
		
      
        Special Notes: 
        - Da Huang has many contraindications because it is extremely cold and 
          bitter.
 
        - Cooking da huang and gan cao together for 
          a long time (> 30 minutes) will reduce purgative effects, while cooking 
          short time will cause maximum purgation.
 
        - Pharmacologically Da Huang has a remarkable laxative effect, and has 
          been shown effective to reduce LV damage in hepatitis.
 
        - Patients with acute pancreatitis were treated very effectively with 
          a decoction of 30-60g da huang every 1 to 2 hours until symptoms returned 
          to normal.
 
        - According to Dr. Zhang Ziao Ping a small amount of Da Huang is effective 
          to treat hypertension and LV fire.
 
        - Mang Xiao is often combined with Da Huang to strongly 
          treat excess constipation due to heat. Both Da huang and Mang 
          Xiao can cause intestinal cramping as they stimulate the movement 
          of the intestines.
 
		 
    
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