Gé Gēn (葛根), known in English as Kudzu root (Pueraria lobata), is a cool, sweet and acrid Chinese herb from the Release exterior (Heat) category. It enters the Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels. Its main action: releases exterior, relieves stiffness of neck and upper back.
| Pinyin | Gé Gēn (Ge Gen) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 葛根 |
| English | Kudzu root |
| Botanical name | Pueraria lobata |
| Category | Release exterior (Heat) |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Sweet, Acrid |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach, Lung |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Stomach Cold; profuse sweating |
Actions
- Releases exterior, relieves stiffness of neck and upper back
- Raises clear Yang, stops diarrhoea
- Generates fluids, relieves thirst
- Vents rashes
Indications
- Wind-Heat with neck stiffness
- Spleen deficiency diarrhoea
- Thirst
- Early measles
How to remember Gé Gēn
Release exterior (Heat) herbs are mostly cool or cold, acrid and sweet, and most enter the Lung and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Cool, Sweet, Acrid: like most Release exterior (Heat) herbs
- Spleen channel: from its use for “Spleen deficiency diarrhoea”
- Lung channel: from its action “Releases exterior”
- Learn by heart
- Stomach channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Gé Gēn
Other Release exterior (Heat) herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Gé Gēn?
Gé Gēn is cool and sweet and acrid.
Which channels does Gé Gēn enter?
Gé Gēn enters the Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels.
What are the actions of Gé Gēn?
Releases exterior, relieves stiffness of neck and upper back; Raises clear Yang, stops diarrhoea; Generates fluids, relieves thirst; Vents rashes.
What is Gé Gēn used for?
Wind-Heat with neck stiffness; Spleen deficiency diarrhoea; thirst; early measles.
Which formulas contain Gé Gēn?
Gé Gēn Huáng Qín Huáng Lián Tāng.
Practise Gé Gēn and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.