Formula Formulas that tonify Qi and Blood

Zhi Gan Cao Tang

炙甘草汤

Also known as:

Prepared Licorice Decoction，

Formula Composition

Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Di Huang
Di Huang
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
E Jiao
E Jiao
Huo Ma Ren
Huo Ma Ren
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Da Zao
Da Zao
Mi Jiu
Mi Jiu
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King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Augments the Qi
  2. Nourishes Yin
  3. Nourishes the Blood
  4. Restores the pulse

Patterns Treated

Lung Qi Deficiency, Qi and Blood Deficiency

Historical Origin

Discussion of Cold Damage (220 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Zhi Gan Cao Tang

Main Actions

Augments the Qi
Nourishes Yin
Nourishes the Blood
Restores the pulse

Key TCM Concepts

Zhi Gan Cao Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Liquorice (Gan Cao) as a principal ingredient.

 

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

 

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 Zhi Gan Cao Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Lung Qi Deficiency or Qi and Blood Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as irregular heartbeats, sick sinus syndrome or atrial flutter for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Lung Qi Deficiency
  • Qi and Blood Deficiency

Common Applications

Irregular heartbeats Sick sinus syndrome Atrial flutter Atrial fibrillation Coronary artery disease Viral myocarditis Rheumatic heart disease Hyperthyroidism Anemia Upper GI bleeding secondary to cirrhosis Chronic gastritis Arrhythmias Palpitations Adrenal insufficiency Low blood pressure

Ingredients in Zhi Gan Cao Tang

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

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Gan Cao augments the Qi of the Middle Burner. Liquorice used here is pan fried with honey , thus it is more effective than the raw Liquorice in nourishing the Heart and restoring the heartbeat.
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Di Huang
Di Huang

Unprepared Rehmannia

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Sheng Di Huang sweet and cooling. It enriches and moistens so as to restore the Heart Yin and tonifies the Blood. Together with Zhi Gan Cao, it fills the vessels with Qi and Body Fluids, providing the basis for returning the pulse to its normal status.
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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 Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Ren Shen strongly tonifies the Original Qi and thus all of the Organs. It also calms the Mind, which relieves the palpitations and anxiety, especially when combined with the chief ingredient. It assists the king ingredient Zhi Gan Cao in tonifying the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (the Post-Heaven Qi), which is the root of the Heart Qi and the source of Blood generation.
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Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Gui Zhi unblocks the flow of Heart Qi. Its combination with Ren Shen strengthens this effect. This is an important aspect of the treatment of palpitations, and Gui Zhi is found in every formula devised by Zhang Zhong-Jing for treating this symptom.
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Mai Dong
Mai Dong

Dwarf lilyturf roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Mai Dong moistens Dryness in the Stomach and Lungs, which is thte Upper Burner. The combination of E Jiao, Huo Ma Ren and Mai Dong assists Sheng Di Huang in enriching the Yin, moistening Dryness, and coolingHeat from Yin Deficiency.
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E Jiao
E Jiao

Donkey-hide gelatin

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Solid glue prepared from the dried or fresh skin of donkeys
Role in Zhi Gan Cao Tang
E Jiao effectively enriches the Yin, tonifies the Blood, and moistens Dryness. The combination of E Jiao, Huo Ma Ren and Mai Dong assists Sheng Di Huang in enriching the Yin, moistening Dryness, and coolingHeat from Yin Deficiency.
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Huo Ma Ren
Huo Ma Ren

Hemp seeds

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Huo Ma Ren nourishes the Yin and moistens the Intestines, which is located at the Lower Burner. The combination of E Jiao, Huo Ma Ren and Mai Dong assists Sheng Di Huang in enriching the Yin, moistening Dryness, and coolingHeat from Yin Deficiency.
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Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Sheng Jiang strengthens the Stomach and enable it to cope with the tonifying substances in the formula. In concert with Da Zao, it also regulates the relationship between the Protective and Nutritive Qi. This function plays an important part in restoring vitality to individuals suffering from consumption, as it enables their systems to revive without developing other problems.
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Da Zao
Da Zao

Jujube dates

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Da Zao benefits the Spleen and nourishes the Heart. It assists the king ingredient Zhi Gan Cao in tonifying the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (the Post-Heaven Qi), which is the root of the Heart Qi and the source of Blood generation.
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Mi Jiu
Mi Jiu

Rice wine

Temperature Hot
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver
Parts Used Fermented rice
Role in Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Mi Jiu helping the assistant ingredients keep things moving. Although this condition is due to an underlying Deficiency, there is also an element of Stagnation due to both Cold and Dryness. Both must be treated if the condition is to be dealt with effectively.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Zhi Gan Cao Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula is not recommended for use in its unmodified form in situations where there is Heat due to Yin Deficiency or when severe diarrhea is present.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Zhi 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.