Gardenia and Fermented Black Bean Decoction，*Treatise on Cold Damage*.，For cases of Shanghan where, after sweating, vomiting, or purgation, the patient experiences restlessness due to deficiency, inability to sleep, mental distress, fullness and distension in the chest and epigastrium, inability to eat despite hunger, a rapid pulse, and a thin, yellow, greasy tongue coating; or for common cold with alternating chills and fever, headache, and body aches; or for children with smallpox or measles presenting with restlessness, palpitations, and inability to sleep.
Gardenia and Fermented Black Bean Decoction
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Formulas Name : Gardenia and Fermented Black Bean Decoction
Chinese Name : 栀子豉汤
Drug Formulation
14 Gardenia fruits (split), 4 he of fragrant fermented soybeans (wrapped in cotton).
Source
*Treatise on Cold Damage*.
Benefits
For cases of Shanghan where, after sweating, vomiting, or purgation, the patient experiences restlessness due to deficiency, inability to sleep, mental distress, fullness and distension in the chest and epigastrium, inability to eat despite hunger, a rapid pulse, and a thin, yellow, greasy tongue coating; or for common cold with alternating chills and fever, headache, and body aches; or for children with smallpox or measles presenting with restlessness, palpitations, and inability to sleep.
Instructions for Use
Take 4 sheng of water; first boil the Gardenia fruits until the volume is reduced to 2.5 sheng, then add the fermented black beans and boil until the volume is reduced to 1.5 sheng. Strain out the residue, divide the decoction into two doses, and administer one dose while warm. If vomiting occurs, discontinue the second dose.
Note
In general, when using Gardenia Decoction, it should not be administered to patients with a history of loose stools.
Copyright: Excerpt from *Treatise on Cold Damage*., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 31, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 31, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 31, 2026
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Gardenia and Fermented Black Bean Decoction,For cases of Shanghan where, after sweating, vomiting, or purgation, the patient experiences restlessness due to deficiency, inability to sleep, mental distress, fullness and distension in the chest and epigastrium, inability to eat despite hunger, a rapid pulse, and a thin, yellow, greasy tongue coating; or for common cold with alternating chills and fever, headache, and body aches; or for children with smallpox or measles presenting with restlessness, palpitations, and inability to sleep.