Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng (炙甘草汤, Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction) is a Chinese herbal formula from the Tonify category, with Zhì Gān Cǎo as chief herb. It contains Zhì Gān Cǎo, Rén Shēn, Shēng Dì Huáng, Guì Zhī, Ē Jiāo, Mài Mén Dōng, Huǒ Má Rén, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Actions: augments Qi, nourishes Yin and Blood, restores the pulse.
| Pinyin | Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng (Zhi Gan Cao Tang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 炙甘草汤 |
| English | Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction |
| Category | Tonify |
| Chief | Zhì Gān Cǎo |
| Tongue | Pale, shiny, little coat |
| Pulse | Knotted or intermittent, thin |
| Cautions | Rich and moistening: caution with loose stools or Phlegm-Damp. |
Ingredients
| Herb | Dose |
|---|---|
| Zhì Gān Cǎo | 12g |
| Rén Shēn | 6g |
| Shēng Dì Huáng | 30g |
| Guì Zhī | 9g |
| Ē Jiāo | 6g |
| Mài Mén Dōng | 9g |
| Huǒ Má Rén | 9g |
| Shēng Jiāng | 9g |
| Dà Zǎo | 10 pieces |
Actions
Augments Qi, nourishes Yin and Blood, restores the pulse
Indications
Heart Qi, Blood and Yin deficiency: palpitations, irregular (knotted or intermittent) pulse, shortness of breath, dry mouth and throat
Formulas with similar ingredients
- Guì Zhī Tāng shares Zhì Gān Cǎo, Guì Zhī, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Only Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng has Rén Shēn, Shēng Dì Huáng, Ē Jiāo, Mài Mén Dōng and Huǒ Má Rén; only Guì Zhī Tāng has Bái Sháo.
Test yourself
What herbs are in Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng?
Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng contains Zhì Gān Cǎo 12g, Rén Shēn 6g, Shēng Dì Huáng 30g, Guì Zhī 9g, Ē Jiāo 6g, Mài Mén Dōng 9g, Huǒ Má Rén 9g, Shēng Jiāng 9g and Dà Zǎo 10 pieces.
What is Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng used for?
Heart Qi, Blood and Yin deficiency: palpitations, irregular (knotted or intermittent) pulse, shortness of breath, dry mouth and throat.
What are the actions of Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng?
Augments Qi, nourishes Yin and Blood, restores the pulse.
What tongue and pulse go with Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng?
Tongue: Pale, shiny, little coat. Pulse: Knotted or intermittent, thin.
Use Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng in a case
Shen Study cases ask you to name the pattern, then choose the formula and points, and explain why.
Practise a TCM caseShen Study is a study tool. Doses are as taught in standard formula texts; they are not prescribing advice.