Gan Mai Da Zao Tang

SOURCE: Synopsis of the Gold Chamber

INGREDIENTS:

Licorice root

Wheat

Chinese date

DIRECTION: Decoct the above three herbs in water for oral administration, with the dosage divided proportionally on the basis of the original formula.

EFFECTS: Nourishing the heart to tranquilize the mind and harmonizing the middle to relax the body.

INDICATIONS: Zang-viscera-restlessness manifested by absent-minded , sorriness in tranquility in the sleep, even incoherent speech and abnormal behaviors, frequent yawn, red tongue with little coating.

ANALYSIS OF FORMULA: This formula is usually used for treatment of zang-viscera-restlessness. Wheat is sweet in flavor and slight cold in property. It, as the principal herb replenishes heart-qi and nourishes the heart to tranquilize the mind. Licorice root as an assistant herb is sweet in flavor and neutral as well as being relax in property. It invigorates the spleen-qi and nourishes the heart-qi. Chinese date is sweat in flavor and warm in property. It replenishes qi, nourishes the blood, strengthens the spleen and soothes the liver, functioning as the adjuvant herb. They are used together to nourish the heart to tranquilize the mind and harmonize the middle to relax the body.

Contemporarily, this formula is used for psychosis, hysteria due to emotional stress, menopausal syndrome manifested as the above-mentioned symptoms. It can also be used for morbid night-crying in children.