What is the best medication for treating excessive liver fire?

Excessive liver fire usually refers to a dysfunction of the liver, manifested as symptoms such as irritability, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, red and painful eyes. Commonly used medications for treating excessive liver fire include:

1. Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Dragon胆Liver-Draining Pill): Suitable for symptoms caused by damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder, such as dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, deafness, and distending pain in the hypochondrium. This formula, primarily composed of Gentiana (Long Dan Cao), is combined with Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Gardenia (Zhi Zi), Alisma (Ze Xie), and other herbs to clear heat, drain dampness, purge fire, and detoxify.

2. Chai Hu Shu Gan San (Bupleurum Liver-Soothing Powder): Suitable for conditions caused by liver qi stagnation, such as chest tightness, belching, and poor appetite. In this formula, Bupleurum (Chai Hu) soothes the liver and resolves stagnation, together with Paeonia (Bai Shao), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), and Nutgrass Fleeceflower (Xiang Fu), it works synergistically to regulate and promote the flow of liver qi.

3. Salvia Miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen): Can be used alone or in combination with other herbs to invigorate blood circulation and resolve blood stasis. It is effective for symptoms caused by blood stasis due to liver qi stagnation, such as dysmenorrhea and chest or hypochondriac pain.

4. Dang Gui Long Hui Wan (Angelica and Gentiana Pill): This formulation has the effect of clearing fire and promoting bowel movements, particularly suitable for symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and constipation caused by excessive fire in the liver and gallbladder.

5. Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Cortex Phellodendri and Rehmannia Pill): Focuses on nourishing yin and reducing fire, suitable for symptoms such as tidal fever, night sweats, dry or bitter mouth caused by yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity.

During treatment, it is important to maintain good lifestyle habits and avoid excessive fatigue.