Gān Mài Dà Zǎo Tāng

Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

AboutChinese MedicineCaution/Notes
Health Benefits
For: Anxiety • Depression • Restless sleep • Crying spells • Post-traumatic stress disorders PTSD • Neurosis • Epilepsy
Atributes:
Constituents:
Products (online examples)

Tincture

Tablets

Tea Pills

Capsules

Research (sample)

Category: Calm Shen ⌕ 
Subcategory: Nourish + Calm Shen  Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue  
Actions: Nourish the heart • Calms Shen • Harmonizes the middle burner • Relaxes tension • Tonify Spleen Qi
Diagnosis
Tongue: Light red, little coating      Pulse: Thin, rapid    Other: 
Patterns: Liver Qi Stagnation, Heart Yin injury, Heart Blood Deficiency[31] • Spleen and Heart Qi/Yin deficiency (aka Restless Organ Disorder)[14] • Depression Blood Deficiency 
Indications: HT Yin deficiency with LV Qi stagnation causing Zang Zao disorder [35] • Worry, grief, trance, sad and tend to cry, restlessness organ disorder (Zang Zao - LV Qi stagnation from grief and worry), insomnia, yawn, light red tongue with little coating, thin a bit rapid pulse [31] • Disorientation, frequent attacks of melancholy, crying spells, poor self control, resless sleep, occasional night sweats, frequent yawning. In severe cases, behavior and speech can become abnormal. [14] • For feeling the need of comfort food like the need for carbs and mild Qi booster to feel better. [42]
Contraindications: High blood pressure
Description
Name Variations: Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, 甘麦大枣汤, Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction,
Herb List: Xiao Mai(K, 9-15g) • Gan Cao(M, 9g) • Da Zao(A, 10p)
Commentary: This formula contains gluten because of Xiao Mai.
Related Formulas:
NCCAOM: NCCAOM has 4 formulas for Heart Deficiency. They are Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān, Suān Zǎo Rén Tāng, Huáng Lián ē Jiāo Tāng, and Gān Mài Dà Zǎo Tāng. All four formulas are related to Heart Yin Deficiency and therefore Yin Deficiency symptoms • Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan is for Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency Heat. Palpitations, insomnia, fatigue, constipation. • Suan Zao Ren Tang is for Heart and Liver Blood Yin Deficiency Heat. Irritability, dizziness, insomnia • Huang Lian E Jiao Tang is for Yin Deficiency Heat affecting the spirit. More salient insomnia problem. Irritability, anxiety, restlessness, tongue or mouth sores • Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is for Heart Yin Deficiency + Liver Qi Stagnation causing worry, grief, sadness and tend to cry.
Herbs Cat/Dosage Actions Attributes
Fu Xiao MaiWheat Grain • 浮⼩⿆ Stabilize + Bind
9g-15g
Nourish heart • Calm spirit • Reduce sweating • Clear yin deficiency heat
Gan CaoLicorice Root • 甘草 Tonify Qi
9g
Enters all 12 channels, often serve as envoy in a formula.
Hypoglycemic • Antiarrhythmic • Hypertensive • Expectorant • Antidiarrheal • Antiulcer • Hepatoprotective • Immunostimulant • Antitussive • Antiviral • Detox • Demulcent • Anti-inflammatory • Laxative • Emmenagogue • Antimicrobial • Spasmolytic • Corticosteroidal
Da ZaoJujube • 大枣  Tonify Qi
10 pieces
Tonify spleen • Tonify qi • Calm the spirit • Harmonize other herb's properties • Nourish blood  antibaterial • antidepressant • anti-inflammatory • anodyne • antifungal • hepatoprotective • hypotensive • sedative
King/Chief    ♥ Minister/Deputy      Assistant     ♦ Envoy
Directions:Many believe it should be taken long term to see good results[14]
Modifications For
+ Hei Zhi Ma + He Shou Wu Insomnia from liver blood deficiency
+ Gui Pi Tang Shortness of breath, palpitations, loss of appetite
+ Gui Zhi + Long Gu + Mu Li Mild cases of schizophrenia
+ Bai He + Bai Zi Ren Irritability from heart yin deficiency
+ Sheng Di Huang + Bai He Insomnia, red tongue no coating, severe yin deficiency31
+ Suan Zao Ren + Dang Gui Dizzy, wiry thin pulse from Liver Blood Deficiency31

Caution
  • Do not use if pregnant

ALERT: Contraindications of each herb - use with caution under these conditions:
Fu Ling: Foods: Vinegar, pickled food
Fu shen: None noted
Yuan Zhi: Drying • caution with heat or hot phlegm, gastritis, or peptic ulcers • Pregnancy
Ren Shen: Blood thinner medication • Diabetes medication • Blood pressure medication • Caffeine • Yin deficiency • Stagnant fire • Hypertension • Bleeding disorders • Pain in chest • Excess heat • food: onion, garlic, radishes, tea, turnips
Zhu Sha: Pregnancy • Long term use • Can cause mercury poisoning if used inappropriately
Shi Chang Pu:
Long Gu: Damp heat • Externally contracted excess • Bradycardia • Extrasystoles • Fire induced nocturnal discharge • Fish

Notes

 

Bibliography: [3], [8], [9], [14]

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

Go to Bibliography

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *