Ge Gen

Cool, Pungent Herbs that Release the Exterior 

 

 

Channels: SP, ST

Properties: Sweet, Spicy, Cool

Common: Pueraria, Kudzu Root

Latin: Radix Puerariae

 

Actions:

  • Relieves the muscles and disperses wind-heat: for external pathogens lodged in the muscles causing tightness and stiffness in upper back and neck, fever, and headache.
  • Generates fluids and stops thirst: used when stomach heat causes thirst, especially due to wind-heat invasion.
  • Promotes the eruption of measles.
  • Stops diarrhea and dysentery: can be used when diarrhea or dysentery occur due to heat. Also used for diarrhea occurring from spleen deficiency if combined with other herbs.
  • Reduces symptoms of hypertension: treats headache, dizziness, paresthesias, or tinnitus as a result of hypertension.

Contraindications:

  • Caution in patients with excessive sweating, or stomach cold.

Dosage:

  • 6-12g. Roasting herb until it turns a yellow color will reduce its cooling action, (used this way for spleen deficiency). Part used = root.