Danpi Decoction for Gastric and Intestinal Abscesses from Waike Dacheng

"Danpi Decoction" comes from Waike Dacheng (Compendium of External Medicine). Its composition is: Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), 1 qian (3 g); Gualouren (Trichosanthis Semen), 1 qian (3 g); Taoren Ni (peach kernels pounded into a paste, Persicae Semen), 2 qian (6 g); Pu Xiao (Mirabilitum), 2 qian (6 g); Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), 5 qian (15 g). At time of use, add 400 ml of water and simmer over low heat until 200 ml remains; strain, add Pu Xiao, and boil again for several rolls. Take warm, at any time, twice daily. This formula drains fire and purges the bowels, and cools blood and dispels stasis. It accumulates in the stomach and intestines, with blood stasis and qi stagnation, causing gastric or intestinal abscesses: abdominal swelling and hard glomus that is painful on pressure, a slow tight pulse, before pus has formed. The TCM intestinal abscess resembles acute appendicitis and incomplete intestinal obstruction in modern medicine; the gastric abscess resembles symptoms of reflux gastritis and gastric ulcer. TCM treatment of such diseases emphasizes the purgative method, and this formula is a classic purgative. In it, Dahuang and Pu Xiao are common purgatives that drain fire and free the bowels; Mudanpi clears heat and cools blood; both Gualouren and Taoren Ni reduce swelling and dissipate nodules while also moistening the intestines and freeing the stool. Hence this formula's purgative action is relatively strong; those without excess heat and dry, bound stool should use it cautiously. This formula may be used temporarily but not long-term; once the patient's symptoms ease, it may be stopped and replaced with milder formulas to consolidate the effect. It must not be used to treat habitual constipation, because Dahuang, Taoren, and the other herbs have a bidirectional regulatory effect on constipation: short-term use relieves constipation, but long-term use worsens habitual constipation.