Prescriptions for tranquilizing the Mind with Tonic Sedatives
Gan Cao Xiao Mai Da Zao Tang (甘草小麦大枣汤)
Name
Decoction of Licorice, Wheat and Date
The Prescription of 甘草小麦大枣汤
Source
The book Jin Gul Yao Lue
Ingredients
Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 9 g,Xiao Mai (Fructus Tritici Levis) 9-15 g,Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 5-7 dates.Explanation
Gan Cao: The principal drug, being sweet in taste and neutral in nature, regulating the function of the middle-Jiao, nourishing the heart, relieving mental stress.
Xiao Mai: Tonifying the heart to calm the mind.
Da Zao: Invigorating the spleen-Qi, relieving the liver depression, treating deficiency of the heart.
The Effect of 甘草小麦大枣汤
Effect
Tonifying the heart to calm the mind, regulating the function of the middle-Jiao to relieve depression.
Indications
Syndrome of Zang Zao due to deficiency of the heart-Qi and depression of the liver-Qi, marked by trance, sorrow, inclination of weep, disturbed-sleep, unusual behavior, frequent yawning, reddened tongue with little coating; including such diseases with the above symptoms as neurosism, hysteria, and mild schizophrenia.
Administrations
Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken 3 times.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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