HERB FORMULAS

GAN MAI DA ZAO TANG

English: Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction
Also Known As: Licorice and Jujube Combination

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Rx, Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao 6-12g Tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi, clears Heat and relieves Fire toxicity, moderates spasms and alleviates pain.
With Da Zao and Xiao Mai, for restless organ syndrome.
Fr. Tritici Levis Xiao Mai 9-50g Nourishes Heart Qi and eliminate irritability to treat irritability, restlessness and insomnia as in restless organ disorder.
With Gan Cao and Da Zao, for emotional disorders, disorientation, emotional instability, and irritability due to mild Deficiency of the Spleen Qi and Heart Blood.
(Sm. Tritici Levis) (Fu Xiao Mai) (9-50g) (Substitutes for Xiao Mai in some sources.)
Fr. Jujube Da Zao 10-15g Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, augments Qi, nourishes the Blood and calms the Spirit.

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Nourishes the Heart
  • Calms the Shen
  • Harmonizes the Middle Jiao
  • Relieves acute conditions
  • Relaxes tension
  • Tonifies Spleen Qi

SYNDROMES

  • Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation
  • Restless Organ Syndrome
  • Dry Organ disorder

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Absent-mindedness
  • Frequent feelings of extreme sadness with an urge to cry
  • Inability to control one's emotions
  • Depression
  • Restless sleep
  • May be night sweats
  • Abnormal speech or behavior
  • Disorientation
  • Frequent yawning T: Red
  • C: Scanty
  • P: Small and rapid

TREATS

  • Neurosis
  • Neurasthenia
  • Epilepsy
  • Infantile night crying
  • Depression
  • Gastrointestinal spasms
  • Chorea
  • Uterine cramping
  • General anxiety disorder
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Migraines
  • Ectopic heartbeats
  • Convulsions
  • Hysteria
  • Autonomic dystonia
  • Schizophrenia
  • Menopause syndrome
  • Enuresis
  • Insomnia
  • Sleep walking
  • Coughing due to spasms of the trachea
  • Night terrors in children
  • Nervous exhaustion
  • Spasms of the extremities
  • Sinus tachycardia
  • Mania

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

MODIFICATIONS

For irritability and thirst: For signs of Yin Deficiency with irritability, a red tongue, with scanty coat and insomnia:
+ Rx. Ophiopogonis Mai Men Dong + Sm. Platycladi Bai Zi Ren
+ Fr. Schisandrae Wu Wei Zi + Rx. Rehmanniae Sheng Di Huang
For insomnia:
+ Bul. Lilii Bai He
+ Bul. Lilii Bai He
For palpitations, fear and fright:
+ Rx. Rehmanniae Sheng Di Huang + Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen
+ Caulis Polygoni Multiflori Ye Jiao Teng Rx. Astragali Huang Qi
or
For enuresis:
+ Concha Margaritaferae Zhen Zhu Mu + Ootheca Mantidis Sang Piao Xiao
+ Dens Draconis Long Chi + Fr. Alpinia Oxyphyllae Yi Zhi Ren
For infantile night crying:
+ Sm. Cuscutae Tu Si Zi
+ Periostracum Cicadae Chan Tui
For dry stools or constipation:
+ Fr. Schisandrae Wu Wei Zi + Sm. Sesami Nigrum Hei Zhi Ma
+ Fr. Evodiae Wu Zhu Yu + Rx. Polygoni Multiflori He Shou Wu
For schizophrenia:
For palpitations, shortness of breath, loss of appetite a swollen, tooth marked tongue and a frail pulse:
+ Fossilia Ossis Mastodi Long Gu
+ Restore the Spleen Decoction
Gui Pi Tang
+ Concha Ostreae Mu Li
For sinus arrhythmias and a choppy pulse:
For mild cases of schizophrenia:
+ Rx. Codonopsis Dang Shen
+ Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi + Fluoritum Zi Shi Ying
+ Fossilia Ossis Mastodi Long Gu
For a stronger sedative action:
+ Concha Ostreae Mu Li + Sm. Platycladi Bai Zi Ren
For Liver Blood Deficiency with dizziness and a thin, wiry pulse:
+ Sm. Zizyphi Spinosae Suan Zao Ren
+ Sm. Zizyphi Spinosae Suan Zao Ren + Poria Pararadicis Fu Shen
+ Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui + Flos Albiziae He Huan Hua