Cimicifuga and Kudzu Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang
English Translation: Cimicifuga and Kudzu Decoction
Formula Type: Release Exterior Wind-Heat
Actions: Releases the muscle layer & vents rashes.
Indications: Early-stage measles or rashes that do not surface evenly, fever & chills, headache, generalized body aches, sneezing, coughing, red eyes, tearnig thirst, a red & dry tongue, & a floating, rapid pulse.
Contraindications: Inappropriate for evenly surfaced rashes, or for rash with respiratory disease.
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
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view: Sheng Ma |
Chinese Black Cohosh | 3-6g |
view: Ge Gen |
Kudzu / Pueraria Root | 3-9g |
view: Zhi Gan Cao |
Honey-fried Licorice | 3g |
view: Chi Shao |
Red Peony | 6-9g |
Sheng Ma / Black Cohosh Rhizome (Chinese) - True | |||
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Taste: Sweet, Acrid • Temperature: Cool • Category: Exterior Releasing - Cool • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage1.5-9g |
Actions1. Releases the exterior & vents measles: for headache due to exterior wind-heat or the early stages of measles.2. Clears heat & relieves toxicity: for various manifestations of fire toxin in the upper or superficial aspects of the body. It is commonly used for sore teeth, swollen or painful gums, ulcerated lips or gums, canker sores, painful & swollen throat, sores, or blotches from warm-febrile diseases. 3. Raises the yang & lifts the sunken: for middle qi deficiency leading to such symptoms as shortness of breath, fatigue, & prolapse. Also used as a messenger to guide the effects of other herbs upward. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Lung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of heat due to yin deficiency, & for patterns where the upper is excessive & the lower is deficient. Also contraindicated in cases of fully erupted measles, & in patients with breathing difficulty. Toxicity: Overdose in humans causes headaches, dizziness, vomiting, tremor, gastroenteritits, & pathogenic erections. |
Ge Gen / Kudzu Root, Pueraria (sliced) | |||
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Taste: Sweet, Acrid • Temperature: Cool • Category: Exterior Releasing - Cool • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage6-12g |
Actions1. Releases the muscles & clears heat: for exterior disorders lodged in the muscles manifesting as fever, headache, & stiff or tight upper back & neck.2. Nourishes the fluids & alleviates thirst: for thirst due to Stomach heat. Especially appropriate in cases of externally contracted heat. 3. Vents measles: to hasten recovery from measles with incomplete expression of the rash. 4. Alleviates diarrhea: for diarrhea or dysenterial disorders due to heat. Can also be used for diarrhea due to Spleen deficiency when combined with other appropriate herbs. 5. Treats symptoms of hypertension: this herb has recently been used to treat the headache, dizziness, tinnitus, or paresthesias that can accompany hypertension. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsNone. |
Zhi Gan Cao / Licorice Root, honey-baked | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage2-12g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations.2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs. 3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically. 4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs. 5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels. 6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically. 7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms. |
MeridiansAll 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach) |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate. |
Chi Shao / Peony (Red) Root | |||
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Taste: Sour, Bitter • Temperature: Slightly Cold • Category: Regulate Blood • Sub Category: Invigorate Blood | |||
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Invigorate the blood & dispels blood stasis: for dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, abdominal pain & immobile abdominal masses. Also for the swelling & pain associated with traumatic injury, & the early stages of abscesses & boils.2. Clears heat & cools the blood: for heat entering the blood level with fever, purple tongue, skin blotches, & bleeding due to the reckless movement of hot blood. Also for gynecological problems associated with hot blood. 3. Clears Liver fire: for red, swollen, painful eyes. |
MeridiansLiver, Spleen |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of blood deficiency. |