This traditional Chinese ointment is called Si Huang Gao (Four Yellows Ointment) in Chinese. This is because all four of the Chinese names of its ingredients contain the word huang or yellow. These four ingredients, Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Huang Bai, and Da Huang are all bitter and cold in flavor and nature and clear heat and drain fire in function. Si Huang Gao is an old and famous Chinese herbal topical application.

Functions:

Clears heat and resolves toxins.

Formula rationale:

Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae), and Huang Bai (Cortex Phellodendri) all clear heat, eliminate dampness, while Da Huang (Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei) clears heat, drains fire, and resolves toxins.