Formula Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of Dampness

Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin

桂苓甘露饮

Also known as:

Cinnamon and Poria Sweet Dew Drink

Formula Composition

Hua Shi
Hua Shi
Shi Gao
Shi Gao
Han Shui Shi
Han Shui Shi
Rou Gui
Rou Gui
Zhu Ling
Zhu Ling
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Expels Summerheat
  2. Clears Heat
  3. Transforms Qi
  4. Removes Dampness

Patterns Treated

Summer Heat with Dampness

Historical Origin

Formulas from the Discussion Illuminating the Yellow Emperor's Basic Questions (1172 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin

Main Actions

Expels Summerheat
Clears Heat
Transforms Qi
Removes Dampness

Key TCM Concepts

Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Talc (Hua Shi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1172 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of Dampness. Its main actions are: 1) expels Summerheat and 2) clears Heat.

 

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 Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Summer Heat with Dampness. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as acute gastroenteritis, cholera or heat stroke for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Summer Heat with Dampness

Common Applications

Acute gastroenteritis Cholera Heat stroke

Ingredients in Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin

Detailed information about each herb in Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Hua Shi
Hua Shi

Talc

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Hua Shi is sweet, cooling, and slippery. It unblocks stagnation, promotes passage through all the orifices, clears and resolves Summer-Heat, and harmonizes the Stomach. It focuses on the central nature of the pattern as well as on both of the pathogens, Summer-Heat and Dampness.
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Shi Gao
Shi Gao

Gypsum

Temperature Cold
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Shi Gao is acrid and cooling and strengthens the Heat-clearing action of the formula. Together, the three minerals in the formula develop a downward directing action that promotes unblocking of the Triple Burner. Unlike bitter, cooling herbs, the sweet and salty flavor of these minerals does not dry the Body Fluids or constrain the Qi.
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Han Shui Shi
Han Shui Shi

Calcitum

Temperature Cold
Taste Pungent, Salty
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys
Parts Used The powered mineral
Role in Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Han Shui Shi is acrid and cooling and strengthens the Heat-clearing action of the formula. Together, the three minerals in the formula develop a downward directing action that promotes unblocking of the Triple Burner. Unlike bitter, cooling herbs, the sweet and salty flavor of these minerals does not dry the Body Fluids or constrain the Qi.
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Rou Gui
Rou Gui

Cinnamon bark

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried stem bark
Role in Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Rou Gui assists in the transformation of Qi in the Lower Burner. Its warming and drying nature also counter balances the very cooling nature of the key herb and deputies herbs.
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Zhu Ling
Zhu Ling

Polyporus

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Zhu Ling promote urination and expel Dampness. Together, the four Dampness resolving assist herbs restore the ascending and descending functions of the Qi mechanism, transform the Bladder Qi , and alleviate sudden turmoil disorder.
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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 Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Fu Ling promote urination and expel Dampness. Together, the four Dampness resolving assist herbs restore the ascending and descending functions of the Qi mechanism, transform the Bladder Qi , and alleviate sudden turmoil disorder.
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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 Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Ze Xie promote urination and expel Dampness. Together, the four Dampness resolving assist herbs restore the ascending and descending functions of the Qi mechanism, transform the Bladder Qi , and alleviate sudden turmoil disorder.
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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 Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen. Together, the four Dampness resolving assist herbs restore the ascending and descending functions of the Qi mechanism, transform the Bladder Qi , and alleviate sudden turmoil disorder.
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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 Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Gan Cao harmonizes the diverse actions of the formula. It also helps Talc in clearing Heat and assists Poria and Atractylodes rhizome in strengthens the Spleen.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin

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

Contraindications

This formula is indicated for treating summerheat damage presentations characterized by overwhelming Heat and Dampness, or Heat that is more pronounced than Dampness. It is not indicated for relatively mild presentations or for patterns where Dampness is more pronounced than Heat.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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