Bai Tou Weng Tang is a classical Chinese herbal formula that is commonly used in the treatment of amoebic dysentery, bacillary dysentery, acute colitis, acute enteritis, conjunctivitis, urinary tract infection, E. Coli infection and other chronic intestinal diseases, etc.
Amoebic dysentery is a type of dysentery caused primarily by the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. It is transmitted through contaminated food and water, and is commonly associated with tropical climates. Bacillary dysentery is a type of dysentery associated with species of bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family. There are 3 species are associated with bacillary dysentery : Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri and Shigella dysenteriae. One main symptom of bacillary dysentery is blood in stool. So anyone with bloody diarrhea should immediately seek medical help.
Colitis is inflammation of the inner lining of the colon (large intestine). It can be associated with diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and blood in the stool. Enteritis is the inflammation of the small intestine. It can be associated with abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, dehydration and fever.
Bai Tou Weng Tang Is Effective in Treating Dysentery
Bai Tou Weng Tang has been used for over two thousand years in China for treating the following symptoms: heat toxic dysentery, abdominal pain, tenesmus, anal burning, diarrhea, sepsis, thirst, red tongue with yellow coating, pus and blood in the stools (more blood than pus), leukorrhea and rapid-wiry pulse, etc.
Here is the formula of Bai Tou Weng Tang:
– Pulsatilla (Pulsatilla chinensis, 白头翁) 15g
– Huang Bai (Amur Cork Tree Bark, Phellodendron, 黄柏) 12g
– Coptis (黄连) 6g
– Qin pi (Cortex Fraxini, Ash Bark, 秦皮) 12g
Pulsatilla is the primary herb in the formula. According to traditional Chinese medicine, Pulsatilla has bitter and cold properties. It affects stomach and large intestine. Pulsatilla is often used in Chinese medicine for detoxification. It cools blood, stops dysentery, and is effective in treating the hot-related dysentery and amoebic dysentery.
Coptis is another herb that has bitter and cold properties. It is ofthen used in traditional Chinese medicine to clear heat dampness, purge fire detoxification, treat dysentery, jaundice and fever.
Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the decoction of Bai Tou Weng Tang inhibits Shigella, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Also it can kill amoebas trophozoites and vaginal trichomoniasis. It enables the convergence of intestinal mucosa, secretions decrease, can effectively treat diarrhea and bleedings. The formula contains Anemonin which has analgesic, sedative and antispasmodic effects. The combination of the herbs inhibits Shigella, E. coli, kills the amoeba trophozoites, and can enhance the function of leukocytes and phagocytic cells. It has anti-inflammatory, sedative, analgesic effects and can promote blood clotting. These match the observation by traditional Chinese medicine on the formula.
