The Prescription of Gancao Xiaomai Dazao Tang

Name

Decoction of Licorice, Wheat and Date

Source

The book Jin Gul Yao Lue

Ingredients

• Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 9 g,
• Xiao Mai (Fructus Tritici Levis) 9-15 g,
• Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 5-7 dates.

Explanation

Gan Cao: The principal drug, being sweet in taste and neutral in nature, regulating the function of the middle-Jiao, nourishing the heart, relieving mental stress.

Xiao Mai: Tonifying the heart to calm the mind.

Da Zao: Invigorating the spleen-Qi, relieving the liver depression, treating deficiency of the heart.

Effect

Tonifying the heart to calm the mind, regulating the function of the middle-Jiao to relieve depression.

Indications

Syndrome of Zang Zao due to deficiency of the heart-Qi and depression of the liver-Qi, marked by trance, sorrow, inclination of weep, disturbed-sleep, unusual behavior, frequent yawning, reddened tongue with little coating; including such diseases with the above symptoms as neurosism, hysteria, and mild schizophrenia.

Administration

Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken 3 times.