Gan Cao

"Sweet Herb"

Herbs that Tonify the Qi

Channels: All 12 Channels

Properties: Sweet, Neutral

Channels: All 12 Channels

Properties: Sweet, Neutral

• Tonify middle Jiao and Heart Qi
• Transform phlegm and stop cough
• Relax spasms alleviate pain
• Clear toxic heat
• Moderate and harmonize herbs

1.    Tonify Qi: Spleen Qi deficiency cause fatigue, loose stools, poor appetite, or Heart Qi deficiency cause palpitation, shortness of breath; e.g. Si Jun Zi Tang, with Dang Shen, Fu Ling, Bai Zhu; Zhi Gan Cao Tang, with Dang Shen, Gui Zhi, Mai Dong, Da Zao

2.    Stop cough: use for various cough, either heat or cold in Lungs; e.g. Zhi Sou San with Jie Gen, Bai Qian, Zi Wan, Bai Bu

3.    Relax muscle spasm and alleviate pain: abdominal or limbs muscle spasm and pain, due to Yin Blood deficiency or deficiency cold; e.g. Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang with Bai Shao

4.    Clear Toxic heat food or herbal toxicity: carbuncles, sore throat, or either food or herb toxic; e.g. with Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao

5.    Moderate and harmonize the properties of herbs: reduce the toxicity of herbs or moderate the extreme cold, hot, purgative, harsh expellants herbs.

• 2-12g.
• Use raw to clear toxic or heat, honey fry to tonify and relax spasm

• This herb incompatible with Yuan Hua, Gan Suk, Da Ji, Hai Zao.
• If excess dampness patients should be prohibited.