Long Dan Xie Gan Wan – Snake & Dragon Teapills by Plum Flower
Looking for Long Dan Xie Gan Wan, also known as Snake & Dragon Teapills? This traditional Chinese herbal formula combines 10 carefully selected herbs, including Gentiana, Bupleurum, Gardenia, Scutellaria, and Rehmannia.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Long Dan Xie Gan Wan belongs to a category of formulas traditionally associated with clearing Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat. These terms describe traditional Chinese herbal patterns and should not be confused with diagnosed liver or gallbladder diseases.
Plum Flower Snake & Dragon Teapills come in a convenient 200-count bottle. The small, prepared teapills can be swallowed with water without brewing loose herbs or preparing a decoction.
Snake & Dragon Teapills – Product Details
| Product Name | Snake & Dragon Teapills |
|---|---|
| Pinyin Name | Long Dan Xie Gan Wan |
| Chinese Name | 龍膽瀉肝丸 |
| Other Names | Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, Lung Tan Xie Gan Wan, Long Tan Hsieh Kan Wan, Gentiana Drain the Liver Pills |
| Brand | Plum Flower |
| Package Size | 200 teapills per bottle |
| Herbal Ingredients | 10 traditional Chinese herbs |
| Form | Small, round prepared herbal teapills |
| Traditional TCM Category | Clearing Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat in traditional herbal theory |
| Manufacturer Directions | 8 teapills, three times daily, or as directed by a qualified healthcare practitioner |
| Approximate Bottle Duration | About 8 days at the published standard directions |
| Origin | China |
| Preparation | Swallow with water; no brewing required |
Long Dan Xie Gan Wan Ingredients and Their Traditional Uses
Understanding the individual herbs can help you identify the correct formula and compare it with other traditional Chinese herbal products. The following descriptions refer to historical TCM classifications, not clinically established treatment effects.
| Pinyin / Common Name | Botanical Name | Traditional TCM Use |
|---|---|---|
| Long Dan Cao Gentiana Root |
Gentiana scabra, root and rhizome | Traditionally classified as clearing Heat and drying Dampness, particularly in Liver and Gallbladder patterns. |
| Chai Hu Bupleurum Root |
Bupleurum chinense, root | Traditionally associated with regulating the movement of Liver Qi and harmonizing herbal combinations. |
| Ze Xie Alisma Rhizome |
Alisma orientale, rhizome | Traditionally categorized as draining Dampness and directing excess Heat downward in TCM theory. |
| Sheng Di Huang Raw Rehmannia Root |
Rehmannia glutinosa, raw root | Traditionally associated with cooling Blood, nourishing Yin, and supporting body-fluid balance within TCM classifications. |
| Dang Gui Chinese Angelica Root |
Angelica sinensis, processed root | Traditionally classified as nourishing and harmonizing Blood in Chinese herbal combinations. |
| Huang Qin Chinese Skullcap Root |
Scutellaria baicalensis, root | Traditionally used in formulas categorized as clearing Heat and drying Dampness. |
| Zhi Zi Gardenia Fruit |
Gardenia jasminoides, processed fruit | Traditionally associated with clearing Heat and addressing Damp-Heat patterns in TCM. |
| Mu Tong (San Ye) Akebia Stem |
Akebia trifoliata, stem | Traditionally categorized as draining Dampness and clearing Heat through the TCM water pathways. Correct botanical identification is especially important for this ingredient. |
| Che Qian Zi Plantago Seed |
Plantago asiatica, processed seed | Traditionally associated with draining Dampness and clearing Heat in Chinese herbal theory. |
| Gan Cao Licorice Root |
Glycyrrhiza uralensis, processed root | Traditionally included to harmonize the characteristics of other herbs and support Qi-related formula classifications. |
Traditional terminology: Liver, Gallbladder, Heat, Dampness, Blood, and Qi are concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They do not necessarily correspond to modern medical diagnoses or measurable physiological effects.
Other Ingredients
Plum Flower's published product information lists dextrin (maltose), hydrated magnesium silicate, and China wax. Always verify the inactive ingredients against the current bottle label, as formulations and labeling may change.
What Makes Long Dan Xie Gan Wan Different?
Long Dan Xie Gan Wan is a recognizable traditional formula because it combines several distinct categories of Chinese herbs rather than relying on a single botanical ingredient.
Gentiana, Scutellaria, and Gardenia are traditionally associated with clearing Heat. Alisma, Akebia, and Plantago belong to categories associated with draining Dampness. Rehmannia and Angelica contribute traditional Blood- and Yin-related classifications, while Bupleurum and Licorice have additional roles in the overall formula.
These traditional relationships explain the historical design of the formula. They do not establish that the finished supplement treats infections, improves liver function, increases urine output, or produces any other medical outcome.
Long Dan Xie Gan Wan vs. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Customers may encounter several names when searching for this formula:
- Long Dan Xie Gan Wan: The pill-form name used for this Plum Flower product.
- Long Dan Xie Gan Tang: A traditional decoction-form name associated with the same formula family.
- Snake & Dragon Teapills: Plum Flower's English product name.
- Gentiana Drain the Liver Pills: Another English translation found in traditional herbal references.
Similar names do not guarantee identical ingredients, concentrations, processing methods, or serving sizes across manufacturers. Compare the complete label before substituting one product for another.
How to Take Snake & Dragon Teapills
Plum Flower's published standard directions are 8 teapills, three times daily, or as directed by a qualified healthcare practitioner. Follow the current product label and any individualized professional advice.
- Confirm that the formula is appropriate for your circumstances.
- Swallow the teapills with water.
- Follow the bottle's serving directions or your practitioner's instructions.
- Do not exceed the recommended amount or continue use longer than professionally advised.
How long does a bottle last? A bottle contains 200 teapills. At 24 teapills per day, that is approximately eight days of use. This calculation explains package quantity; it is not a recommended treatment duration.
Important Ingredient and Safety Considerations
Botanical identity matters: The Plum Flower formula lists Mu Tong as Akebia trifoliata stem. This should not be confused with Aristolochia-derived materials, which may contain aristolochic acids associated with serious kidney injury and cancer risk. Confirm the botanical identity of the current product before use.
Licorice caution: This formula contains Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Licorice can affect blood pressure, potassium levels, and certain medications. People with heart or kidney conditions, hypertension, or relevant prescriptions should obtain professional guidance before use.
Pregnancy and nursing: Do not use during pregnancy or nursing without specific guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. The manufacturer advises caution during pregnancy.
Consult your healthcare practitioner before use if you have a medical condition, take prescription or over-the-counter medication, or are considering combining herbal formulas. This product is not intended for self-treatment of liver, gallbladder, urinary, or other diseases.
Keep out of reach of children. Stop use and seek medical advice if an adverse reaction occurs. Follow all additional cautions on the current bottle label.
Why Order Plum Flower Teapills from 1st Chinese Herbs?
When shopping for a traditional Chinese herbal formula, clear product identification and dependable service matter.
- Family-owned herbal retailer: 1st Chinese Herbs has served customers since 1994.
- Recognized herbal brand: Plum Flower is an established supplier of traditional Chinese herbal products.
- Ingredient transparency: Compare Pinyin names, botanical ingredients, package size, and traditional classifications before ordering.
- Convenient prepared format: No measuring, boiling, or straining loose herbs.
- Ships from Washington State: Order through an established U.S.-based herbal retailer.
Additional Questions Before Ordering?
How can I confirm that this is the formula my practitioner recommended?
Compare the Pinyin name, English name, manufacturer, botanical ingredients, and product form with your practitioner's recommendation. Ask your practitioner before substituting a similar-sounding formula.
Can I combine this formula with other herbal supplements?
Do not combine herbal formulas without qualified guidance. Overlapping ingredients can change total exposure and increase the potential for unwanted effects or medication interactions.
How should I store the bottle?
Follow the storage directions on the current label. Generally, keep the container tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from excess moisture and heat.
California Proposition 65 Information
California Proposition 65 requires warnings for certain exposures to listed chemicals. When a product-specific warning is legally required, the applicable warning must appear in the required format at the appropriate point in the purchasing process.
Understanding Proposition 65 | California warning requirements | Official Proposition 65 website
Herbal Education and References
For additional background on the formula and botanical identification:
- Plum Flower / Mayway: Snake & Dragon Teapills product information
- American Dragon: Traditional Long Dan Xie Gan Tang formula reference
- PubMed: Long Dan Xie Gan Wan research search
- National Cancer Institute: Aristolochic acid safety information
References are provided for botanical and historical education. They do not demonstrate that this finished product is clinically effective or appropriate for a particular medical condition.
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
