ANTI-VIRAL FORMULA
Kang Du San
‘Eliminate Toxin (viruses) Powder’
Source: Experiential formula
Keywords
broad spectrum anti-viral action
Ingredients
andrographis paniculata (Chuan Xin Lian, andrographis)
Taraxicum mongolicum (Pu Gong Ying, dandelion)
Isatis indigotica (Ban Lan Gen, isatis root)
Isatis tinctoria (Da Qing Ye, isatis leaf)
Major therapeutic action
Clears infections, reduces inflammation and stops swelling.
General antibiotic action – antiviral and antibacterial, antipyretic, detoxicant.
Indications
* Infective disorders. Usually combined with a ‘targeting’ formula (for example Long Dan Xie Gan Wan
to target the liver, or Qing Fei Tang to target the lungs) to enhance the antibiotic action of the targeting
formula. Can be used for both bacterial and viral pathogens, but is especially useful for viral agents.
* Lung system: a cough with profuse yellow, green, or dark, foul smelling expectorant, dyspnoea, a feeling
of obstruction in the chest, a red tongue with thick, sticky, yellow coating, and a rapid pulse which can be
diagnosed as acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis.
* Kidney and Urinary Bladder: acute pyelonephritis, cystitis and urethritis, prostatitis.
* Liver system: shingles, herpes, hepatitis, cholecystitis, genital infections, ear infections.
* Intestines: bacterial and amoebic dysentery.
* Suppurative sores, mastitis, erysipelas, mumps.
* Systemic infections, encephalitis.
Key symptoms for use
* fever
* malaise
* localised redness, swelling, pain
* With Long Dan Xie Gan Wan for patterns affecting the liver and gallbladder— this may include disorders such as viral hepatitis, shingles, genital herpes, acute cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, PID.
* With Wu Jin Wan for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease.
* With Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin for acute tonsillitis.
* With Xiao Chai Hu Wan for acute mastitis.
* With Ba Zheng San for severe urinary bladder symptoms (urinary tract infection, pyelonephritis).
* With Qing Fei Tang for upper respiratory tract infection.
The typical dose in acute cases is three grams 3-5 times daily on an empty stomach. In severe cases, take a dose every hour or two. When vomiting is severe and the patient cannot take the medicine, try sipping a strong infusion of ginger tea first. When used as an addition to a targeting formula, the proportion is generally 4:1 or 5:1 guiding formula to Kang Du San.
Cautions and contraindications
Not suitable for prolonged use. The herbs in this formula are bitter and cold and can damage the digestion.
None noted
Commentary
The herbs in this formula eliminate infections not only by exerting a direct antibiotic effect, but also by
stimulating host immunity. By acting in conjunction with the affected individual immune system rather than
overriding it, the familiar side effects associated with repeated use of pharmaceutical antibiotics is avoided.
The beneficial microorganisms of the gastrointestinal system are preserved.