Chinese: 甘麦大枣汤
Pinyin: Gān Mài Dà Zǎo Tāng
Other names: Licorice Wheat and Jujube Decoction, Liquiruce Wheat and Jujube Decoction, Mai Gan Da Zao Tang,
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: HysteriaEpilepsyMigraines and fourteen other conditions
- Nourishes the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Harmonizes the middle burner
- Relaxes hypertonicity
Source date: 220 AD
Source book: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Light Wheats (Fu Xiao Mai) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes the Heart and 2) calms the Mind.
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 Mai Da Zao Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Blood Deficiency or Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as general anxiety disorder, hysteria or schizophrenia for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the three ingredients in Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Gan Mai Da Zao Tang helps treat.
The three ingredients in Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Fu Xiao Mai is a king ingredient in Gan Mai Da Zao Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Light Wheats (Fu Xiao Mai)
Part used: The dried fruits
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: Heart
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
Fu Xiao Mai is light and extends outwards towards the Exterior. It penetrates the Heart Channel to preserve its Body Fluids. The "Inner Classic" associates wheat with the Heart, and Sun Si Miao believed that it nourishes Heart Qi. Typically used for managing spontaneous and night sweats, this characteristic is employed in this context to regulate the dispersion of the ethereal and corporeal souls.
Gan Cao is a deputy ingredient in Gan Mai Da Zao Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Heart, tonifies the Qi, and harmonizes the Middle Burner. It also clears Heat.
Da Zao is a deputy ingredient in Gan Mai Da Zao Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Jujube Dates (Da Zao)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Da Zao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula."
In the context of Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, it is used because it augments the Qi and moistens internal Dryness. It also clears Heat.
Conditions and patterns for which Gan Mai Da Zao Tang may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
General anxiety disorder Hysteria Schizophrenia Epilepsy Night terrors in children Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Spasmodic coughs Sleep walking Nervous exhaustion Parkinson's disease Gastric spasm Spasms of the extremities Migraines Sinus tachycardia Ectopic heartbeats Premenstrual tension Perimenopausal syndrome
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Gan Mai Da Zao Tang treats general anxiety disorder" for instance. Rather, Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind general anxiety disorder.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Gan Mai Da Zao Tang.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Thin
Symptoms: Anxiety Fatigue Insomnia Dizziness Pale face Pale lips Poor memory Tearfulness Palpitations Restlessness Easily scared Loss of libido Excessive dreams Feeling of guilt Dream disturbed sleep
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart Blood Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as easily scared, excessive dreams, palpitations and insomnia. Patients with Heart Blood Deficiency typically exhibit choppy (Se) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as Pale thin and slightly dry tongue .
This pattern is manifested by a pale face, pale lips and a pale tongue due to lack of Blood supply. Heart Blood Deficiency may eventually cause Heart Yin Deficiency because Blood is a Yin element. Dizziness is also a symptom because not sufficient Blood is able to nourish the Brain.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation
Symptoms: Crying Melancholy Night sweat Disorientation Restless sleep Abnormal speech Frequent yawning Abnormal behavior Inability to control oneself
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as disorientation, melancholy, crying and inability to control oneself.
This pattern is characterized by emotional disturbances primarily stemming from the Heart and Liver systems.
Heart Blood Deficiency in TCM is indicated by symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and dreaming of going far away. This condition suggests a lack of nourishment and stability... read more about Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation
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