Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng

(Honey Fried Licorice Decoction)

Sub-Category:

• Formulas that Tonify the Qi

Possible Tongue Appearance:

• Pale shiny tongue with little coat

Possible Pulse Patterns:

• Weak, irregular, and thin pulse
• Weak and rapid pulse

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

• This section is being researched, and is not completed.

Preparation Notes:

• Decoction. Add 10ml of rice wine to the final strained decoction.
• E Jiao is added to the final strained decoction
• 2-3 times the dosage of Dang Shen is usually substituted for Ren Shen
• Take one third of the decoction 3 times in a day.

Originally Appeared In:

• On Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun)

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

• Lungs, Spleen, Heart, Bladder, Kidneys, Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine

Substances in this Formula (9 Total):

	Zhi Gan Cao (Honey Fried Licorice Root) 炙甘草 Qty: 12 grams Chan: All 12 Channels Prop: Sweet, Warm Latin: Radix Glycyrrhizae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) 人参 Qty: 6 grams Chan: LU, SP Prop: Sweet, Slightly Bitter, Slightly Warm Latin: Radix Ginseng Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig, Cassia Twig) 桂枝 Qty: 9 grams Chan: HT, LU, BL Prop: Spicy, Sweet, Warm Latin: Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Sheng Di Huang (Chinese Foxglove Root, Rehmannia) 地黄 Qty: 24 grams Chan: HT, KI, LIV Prop: Sweet, Bitter, Cold Latin: Radix Rehmanniae Glutinosae Cat: Herbs that Cool the Blood
	Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) 麦门冬 Qty: 9 grams Chan: SP, ST, HT (LU) Prop: Sweet, Slightly Bitter, Slightly Cold Latin: Tuber Ophiopogonis Japonici Cat: Herbs that Tonify Yin
	E Jiao (Ass Hide Glue, Donkey Hide Gelatin) 阿胶 Qty: 6 grams Chan: KID, LIV, LU Prop: Sweet, Neutral Latin: Gelatinum Corii Asini Cat: Herbs that Tonify Blood
	Huo Ma Ren (Hemp Seeds or Cannabis Seeds) 火麻仁 Qty: 9 grams (crushed) Chan: LI, SP, ST Prop: Sweet, Neutral Latin: Semen Cannabis Sativae Cat: Moist Laxatives
	Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) 生姜 Qty: 9 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Da Zao (Date, Jujube) 大枣 Qty: 5-10 pieces Chan: SP, ST Prop: Sweet, Warm Latin: Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi

References

Formulas

• 15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition) - Dan Bensky
• 18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition) - Him Che. Yeung
• 16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition) - Qiao Yi

Herbs

• 13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition) - Dan Bensky
• 25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article) - Fugh-Berman A.
• 17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition) - Him Che. Yeung
• 12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition) - John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen
• 26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition) - Max Wichtl

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist. Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.