Diaphoretic Prescriptions Composed of Drugs Pungent in Flavor and Warm in Nature
Ge Gen Tang (葛根汤): Classic TCM Formula
Name
The Prescription of 葛根汤
Source
The book Shang Han Lun
Ingredients
Ge Gen 12 g,Ma Huang 9 g,Gui Zhi 6 g,Sheng Jiang 9 g,Zhi Gan Cao 6 g,Shao Yao 6 g,Da Zao 12 dates.Explanation
Ge Gen: The principal drug, being sweet and pungent in flavor and cold in nature, removing pathogenic heat from the exterior, ascending the Qi of the spleen and stomach to treat diarrhea.
Gan Cao: Regulating the Qi of the middle-Jiao and tempering the actions of all the other ingredients.
Shao Yao: Regulating the nutrient system, dispelling pathogenic heat.
Sheng Jiang and Da Zao: Tempering the stomach and spleen.
Ma Huang and Gui Zhi: Relieving superficies syndrome by means of diaphoresis.
The Effect of 葛根汤
Effect
Relieve exterior syndrome by means of diaphoresis, remove toxicity, relax the tendons and temper the stomach and spleen.
Indications
Cold, flu, measles and joint pain.
Administrations
Decoct in water for oral dose to be taken twice.
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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