Traditional Chinese Medicine Healing Herbs(TCMHH)

Diaphoretic Prescriptions Composed of Drugs Pungent in Flavor and Warm in Nature

Gui Zhi Jia Ge Gen Tang (桂枝加葛根汤)

桂枝加葛根汤 Guizhi Jia Gegen Tang
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

The Prescription of 桂枝加葛根汤

Source

The book of Shang Han Lun

Ingredients

Gui Zhi 6 g,Shao Yao 6 g,Sheng Jiang 9 g,Zhi Gan Cao 6 g,Da Zao 3 dates,Ge Gen 12 g.

Explanation

Gui Zhi: Expelling pathogenic factors from the muscles and skin by means of diaphoresis, warming the channels to expel pathogenic cold.

Bai Shao: Nourishing the liver to relieve pain.

Ge Gen: Removing pathogenic heat from the exterior, ascending the Qi of the spleen and stomach.

Da Zao: Invigorating the spleen-Qi, relieving the liver depression, treating deficiency of the heart.

Zhi Gan Cao: Invigorating the spleen and stomach, tempering the actions of all the other ingredients.

The Effect of 桂枝加葛根汤

Effect

Relieve exterior syndrome, promote the secretion of saliva or body fluid and relax the tendons.

Administrations

Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken twice.

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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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