Formula Formulas that tonify Blood

Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang

芍药甘草汤

Also known as:

Peony and Licorice Decoction

Formula Composition

Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
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From $23.00

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Nourishes the Blood and augments the Yin
  2. Moderates painful spasms
  3. Alleviates pain

Patterns Treated

Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency

Historical Origin

Discussion of Cold Damage (220 AD)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang

Main Actions

Nourishes the Blood and augments the Yin
Moderates painful spasms
Alleviates pain

Key TCM Concepts

Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Blood. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes the Blood and augments the Yin and 2) moderates painful spasms.

 

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 Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as ligament spasm pain, tissue spam pain or skeletal muscle spam pain for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency

Common Applications

Ligament spasm pain Tissue spam pain Skeletal muscle spam pain Trigeminal neuralgia Intercostal neuralgia Postherpetic neuralgia Sciatica Diabetic neuropathy Recalcitrant hiccups Restless leg syndrome Bruxism Facial tics Parkinson's disease Essential tremor Atrial fibrillation Night terrors Enuresis Thrombocytopenic purpura Allergic purpura Upper GI bleeding Bronchiectasis Recurrent nosebleeds Infertility in male Infertility in female Hypotestosteronemia Impotence Myasthenia gravis

Ingredients in Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang

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

Kings
Deputies
Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang
Bai Shao nourishes the Blood and preserves the Yin. It enters the Spleen,softens the Liver, and alleviates pain. It thereby addresses theprimary aspects of spams condition. The Liver is a hard, 'edgy' organ, and its Qi has a tendency to rebel transversely. This herb is effective in moderating the wayward inclinations of the Liver Qi, especially when it overacts on the Spleen. It also preserves the Liver Yin by 'softening of theLiver.'
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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 Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang
Gan Cao augments the Qi of the Middle Burner, especially that of the Spleen, and moderates urgency. Together, these two herbs regulate the relationship between the Liver and Spleen and nourish the sinews and Blood, which in turn stops the spasms and pain.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Shao Yao Gan Cao 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, Shao Yao Gan Cao 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.