Skip to content
Neijing

Knowledge baseFormulas

Gan Mai Da Zao Tang甘麥大棗湯

Licorice, Wheat and Jujube Decoction

Also known asLicorice and Jujube Combination

Medicinals
4

Composition

  • Gan CaoRx, Glycyrrhizae6–20 g

    Tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi, clears Heat and relieves Fire toxicity, moderates spasms and alleviates pain.

    for restless organ syndrome.
  • Xiao MaiFr. Tritici Levis9–60 g

    Nourishes Heart Qi and eliminate irritability to treat irritability, restlessness and insomnia as in restless organ disorder.

    for emotional disorders, disorientation, emotional instability, and irritability due to mild Deficiency of the Spleen Qi and Heart Blood.
  • (Fu Xiao Mai)(Sm. Tritici Levis)(9-60g)

    (Substitutes for Xiao Mai in some sources.)

  • Da ZaoFr. Jujube10–30 g

    Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, augments *Qi, nourishes the Blood and calms the Spirit*.

Actions

  • Provides nourishment to the Heart
  • Settles the Shen
  • Brings balance to the Middle Jiao
  • Eases acute presentations
  • Releases tightness
  • Boosts Spleen Qi

Patterns treated

  • Heart Blood Deficiency accompanied by Liver Qi Stagnation
  • A Restless-Organ pattern
  • A Dry-Organ pattern

Manifestations

  • A distracted, inattentive state of mind
  • Recurrent bouts of profound sorrow accompanied by a desire to weep
  • Difficulty regulating one's emotional responses
  • A depressed mood
  • Unsettled, disturbed sleep
  • Night sweating may occur
  • Poor concentration
  • Tightness in the muscles of the abdomen
  • A tendency toward being easily irritated
  • Unusual patterns of speech or conduct
  • A state of disorientation
  • Repeated yawning
  • A sense of sorrow
  • Excessive sensitivity or self-consciousness
  • Difficulty sleeping
Tongue body
Red, or alternatively pale red in color
Coating
Sparse in amount
Pulse
Fine and quickened

Indications

  • Neurotic disorders
  • A neurasthenic condition
  • An epileptic disorder
  • Nocturnal crying in infants
  • Depressive states
  • Spasms affecting the digestive tract
  • Choreic movements
  • Cramping of the uterus
  • A generalized state of anxiety
  • Disorders of attention and hyperactivity
  • Cases of Parkinson's disease
  • Migraine headaches
  • Ectopic beats of the heart
  • Convulsive episodes
  • Bipolar affective disorder
  • Nocturnal wandering during sleep
  • Excessive yawning
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Hysterical disorder
  • Dystonia of the autonomic nervous system
  • Schizophrenic disorder
  • A syndrome associated with menopause
  • Bedwetting
  • Sleeplessness
  • Walking while asleep
  • Cough resulting from tracheal spasm
  • Episodes of night terror occurring in children
  • Nervous fatigue
  • Limb spasms
  • An elevated heart rate of sinus origin
  • Manic episodes
  • Symptoms occurring before menstruation
  • A globus sensation of hysterical origin
  • Gluten-sensitive enteropathy
  • A hoarse voice
  • Andropause

Modifications