Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs for Treating Hepatitis B, May 7, 1990

Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs for Treating Hepatitis B, May 7, 1990

According to an experimental research paper by Comrade Yang Guangjian published in the Journal of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine (August 1989), the following herbs demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on the hepatitis B virus under experimental conditions: ① Danggui, Chishao, Shengdi Huang, Danshen, Huangqi, He Shou Wu, and Mo Han Lian. ② Zelan, Zaoguo Ci, and Sharen. ③ Shan Zhi, Shan Dou Gen, Bai Ying, Hu Zhang, Pugongying, Chong Lou, Ge Gen, Huang Lian, and Sheng Shi Gao.

These three categories of herbs can be summarized as follows: the first category consists of herbs that reinforce vital energy and consolidate the body’s foundation; the second category includes herbs that regulate qi and activate blood circulation (among them, Chishao and Danshen also have obvious blood-activating and stasis-resolving effects); the third category mainly comprises herbs that clear heat and detoxify, specifically clearing heat and draining fire. Based on these findings, all three categories of herbs can inhibit the hepatitis B virus, and the inhibitory effect is very pronounced. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, treating this disease requires combining the reinforcement of vital energy and consolidation of the body’s foundation with clearing heat and detoxifying. Given that the first category includes Danggui, Chishao, Shengdi Huang, Huangqi, Danshen, He Shou Wu, Mo Han Lian, and Gancao—herbs that are themselves excellent remedies for hepatitis—such as the strong liver-tonifying formula Qiang Gan Tang, which removes Chuanxiong and adds Danshen, Huangqi, He Shou Wu, Mo Han Lian, and Gancao, these five herbs serve as the main reinforcing components of Qiang Gan Tang. Mo Han Lian and Huang Jing nourish and cool the blood, blacken hair, and some people use this formula to treat the liver, claiming it helps regulate liver function. The second category includes Shan Zhi, Shan Dou Gen, Bai Ying, Hu Zhang, Pugongying, Chong Lou, Sheng Da Huang, and Sheng Shi Gao—herbs that are often used to lower liver enzymes. In addition, Sharen and Zaoguo Ci are herbs that regulate qi and activate blood circulation, allowing the formula to move forward rather than remain static, with evident benefits.

Therefore, I composed the Hepatitis B No. 5 formula using the aforementioned herbs: Danggui 10g, Chishao 20g, Shengdi Huang 12g, Danshen 30g, Huangqi 30g, Huang Jing 20g, He Shou Wu 20g, Zelan 10g, Gancao 6g, Mo Han Lian 10g, Sharen 10g, Sheng Da Huang 6g, Bai Ying 15g, Shan Zhi 15g, Shan Dou Gen 15g, Hu Zhang 15g, Pugongying 15g, Chong Lou 10g, Ge Gen 10g, Yan Hu Suo 10g, Chuan Lian Zi 10g, plus 3g each of Sheng Mi Xiang and Mei Yao. This formula is intended to address liver function impairment and the "big three" positive signs of hepatitis B. I plan to formulate this prescription into pill form, estimating that its efficacy will surpass that of the top four formulas.

Mnemonic: Wu Xiong He Lan Cao Huang Dan, Shan Shan Bai Hu Ge Zao Chuan, Yan Hu Suo Sharen Da Mi Xiang, Mei Yao, Hepatitis B No. 5 should be passed on later.