Formula Formulas that warm Interior Cold

Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang

甘草干姜汤

Also known as:

Licorice and Ginger Decoction

Formula Composition

Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the Lungs
  2. Strengthens the Stomach

Patterns Treated

Lung Yang Deficiency

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang

Main Actions

Warms the Lungs
Strengthens the Stomach

Key TCM Concepts

Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Interior Cold. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Lungs and 2) strengthens the Stomach.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Lung Yang Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as enuresis, excessive drooling or allergic rhinitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Lung Yang Deficiency

Common Applications

Enuresis Excessive drooling Allergic rhinitis Hayfever Epistaxis Abnormal uterine bleeding Peptic ulcers Chronic gastritis Emphysema

Ingredients in Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang

Dried ginger

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang
Gan Jiang warms the Lungs and disperses Cold. Its primary function is to restore the Yang in chest. However, its acrid and hot nature can hurt the Lungs by depleting the source Qi. To overcome this problem, blast fried Ginger is recommended as its acrid and dispersing effect is reduced.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang
Gan Cao tonifies the Qi. Together with Dried ginger, they warm and strengthen the Stomach, which in turn assist in resolving the Lungs disharmony. According to the the five phases theory, nurturing the earth (Stomach) can generate the metal (Lungs). The combination of sweet and acrid herbs warms the Yang and augments the Qi in a balanced manner.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.