Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng
Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng (炙甘草汤, “Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction”) comes from Shang Han Lun - Zhang Zhongjing (220 CE). Tonify Heart Qi and Blood, nourish Yin, restore irregular pulse.
Main action
Tonify Heart Qi and Blood, nourish Yin, restore irregular pulse
The only classic formula designed specifically for the intermittent pulse (dai mai — 'stops beating' pulse). Zhang Zhongjing also called it 'Fu Mai Tang' (Pulse Restoring Decoction).
Indications
- Palpitations
- Arrhythmia (intermittent pulse)
- Feeling of emptiness in the chest
- extreme fatigue
- Dyspnea
- Insomnia
- Constipation due to dryness
- Tongue
- Pale or slightly red, dry
- Pulse
- Irregular, intermittent or thin and weak
Composition
| Herb | Role | Dose | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhì Gān Cǎo 炙甘草 | Emperor (君 jūn) | 12g | Tonifies Qi of the Heart and Spleen, harmonizes |
| Rén Shēn 人参 | Minister (臣 chén) | 9g | Tonifies Heart and Primordial Qi |
| Shēng Dì Huáng 生地黄 | Minister (臣 chén) | 30g | Nourishes Yin and Blood of the Heart |
| Ē Jiāo 阿胶 | Minister (臣 chén) | 9g | Nourishes Blood and Yin, lubricates |
| Mài Dōng 麦冬 | Minister (臣 chén) | 9g | Nourishes Heart and Lung Yin |
| Má Zǐ Rén 麻子仁 | Assistant (佐 zuǒ) | 9g | Nourishes Yin, lubricates intestines |
| Guì Zhī 桂枝 | Assistant (佐 zuǒ) | 9g | Warms and moves Heart Yang, activates Blood |
| Shēng Jiāng 生姜 | Assistant (佐 zuǒ) | 9g | Warms, activates circulation of Yang |
| Dà Zǎo 大枣 | Assistant (佐 zuǒ) | 30g | Nourishes Blood, tones Spleen |
The emperor–minister–assistant–envoy hierarchy (君臣佐使) describes the role of each herb in the formula.
Preparation
Decoction with rice wine (Qing Jiu): boil 40-50 min. Wine enhances circulatory action. E Jiao is dissolved in the hot decoct, not boiled
Current uses being studied
- Cardiac arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation, extrasystoles)
- viral myocarditis
- Heart failure with deficiency
- Palpitations due to anxiety
Precautions
- E Jiao may be difficult to digest: add Sha Ren if bloating
- Do not use if there is fullness or real heat
- Use Zhi Gan Cao (honey roasted), not raw Gan Cao
Formulas must be prescribed by qualified professionals; they can interact with medications.
Profile
- Chinese name
- 炙甘草汤
- English name
- Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction
- Source
- Shang Han Lun - Zhang Zhongjing (220 CE)
- Dynasty
- Han
- Category
- Other formulas
- Constitutions
- Qi Deficiency Constitution, Yin Deficiency Constitution
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
