Formula Formulas that reduce food Stagnation with tonification

Ge Hua Jie Cheng San

葛花解酲散

Also known as:

Kudzu Flower Powder to Relieve Hangovers

Formula Composition

Ge Hua
Ge Hua
Bai Dou Kou
Bai Dou Kou
Sha Ren
Sha Ren
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang
Shen Qu
Shen Qu
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi
Qing Pi
Qing Pi
Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Zhu Ling
Zhu Ling
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Separates and reduces alcohol-dampness
  2. Warms the Middle
  3. Strengthens the Spleen

Patterns Treated

Damp-Heat in the Stomach, Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen

Historical Origin

Discussion of the Spleen and Stomach (13th century)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ge Hua Jie Cheng San

Main Actions

Separates and reduces alcohol-dampness
Warms the Middle
Strengthens the Spleen

Key TCM Concepts

Ge Hua Jie Cheng San is a 13-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Kudzu Flowers (Ge Hua) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 13th century, it belongs to the category of formulas that reduce food Stagnation with tonification. Its main actions are: 1) separates and reduces alcohol-dampness and 2) warms the Middle.

 

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 Ge Hua Jie Cheng San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Damp-Heat in the Stomach or Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as hangovers or alcoholism for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Damp-Heat in the Stomach
  • Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen

Common Applications

Hangovers Alcoholism

Ingredients in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San

Detailed information about each herb in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Ge Hua
Ge Hua

Kudzu flowers

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used The dried flower
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Ge Hua enters the Yang Brightness, resolves alcohol toxicity, awakes the Spleen, and resolves Damp-Heat through gentle sweating.
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Bai Dou Kou
Bai Dou Kou

Cardamon fruits

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Fruits
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Bai Dou Kou warm the Middle Burner, strengthen the Spleen, harmonize the Stomach and invigorate Qi. Thus, the Spleen gains control over the accumulation of Dampness.
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Sha Ren
Sha Ren

Amomum fruits

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Sha Ren warm the Middle Burner, strengthen the Spleen, harmonize the Stomach and invigorate Qi. Thus, the Spleen gains control over the accumulation of Dampness.
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Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang

Dried ginger

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Gan Jiang warm the Middle Burner, strengthen the Spleen, harmonize the Stomach and invigorate Qi. Thus, the Spleen gains control over the accumulation of Dampness.
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Shen Qu
Shen Qu

Medicated leaven

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used This is a fermented combination of wheat flour, Artemisia annua, Xanthium, Polygonum hydropiper and other herbs.
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Shen Qu resolves alcohol toxicity and assists the Spleen in transforming and transporting any Stagnation, partially in digesting foods. This is necessary because a Spleen burdened with Damp-Heat accumulation is unable to move food along, and the stagnant food combines with the alcohol toxin to produce symptoms such as headache and nausea. Qi-moving herbs such as Amomum fruit and Cuscuta seeds supports Medicated leaven in this matter.
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Chen Pi
Chen Pi

Tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the ripe fruit
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Chen Pi warm the Middle Burner, strengthen the Spleen, harmonize the Stomach and invigorate Qi. Thus, the Spleen gains control over the accumulation of Dampness.
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Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi

Cuscuta seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Tu Si Zi warm the Middle Burner, strengthen the Spleen, harmonize the Stomach and invigorate Qi. Thus, the Spleen gains control over the accumulation of Dampness.
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Qing Pi
Qing Pi

Green tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Stomach, Liver
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the young or immature fruits
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Qing Pi warm the Middle Burner, strengthen the Spleen, harmonize the Stomach and invigorate Qi. Thus, the Spleen gains control over the accumulation of Dampness.
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Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
In general Ze Xie's main actions are as follows: "Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat"

In the context of Ge Hua Jie Cheng San, it is used because it dispels Damp-Heat by promoting urination.
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Bai Zhu tonifies the Middle and strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, thus helping those Organs to recuperate from the damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
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Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Ren Shen tonifies the Middle and strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, thus helping those Organs to recuperate from the damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
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Zhu Ling
Zhu Ling

Polyporus

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
In general Zhu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and encourages urination"

In the context of Ge Hua Jie Cheng San, it is used because it dispels Damp-Heat by promoting urination.
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."

In the context of Ge Hua Jie Cheng San, it is used because it dispels Damp-Heat by promoting urination.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ge Hua Jie Cheng San

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

Contraindications

This formula is suited for those with Spleen Deficiency and accumulation of Damp-Heat, but should not be taken long term as it can deplete the Qi and injure the Body Fluids.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ge Hua Jie Cheng San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.