1. Prescription Source & History

1. Classic Origin

Zhigancao Decoction It comes from Treatise on Febrile Diseases written by Zhang Zhongjing in the Eastern Han Dynasty and is a bright pearl among classic traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. As the foundational work of syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine, Treatise on Febrile Diseases has had a profound impact on the clinical practice and theoretical development of traditional Chinese medicine in later generations. The original text of Zhigancao Decoction in the book is: 'For cold damage with knotted and intermittent pulse and palpitations, treat with Zhigancao Decoction.' These short dozen or so characters accurately describe the applicable symptoms and treatment purposes of this prescription.

2. Historical Evolution

Since the publication of Treatise on Febrile Diseases, Zhigancao Decoction has always been valued and applied by medical experts of past dynasties. As time goes by, its scope of application has gradually expanded and is not limited to treating symptoms such as knotted and intermittent pulse and palpitations after cold damage. Medical experts in later generations have continuously explored and summarized in clinical practice, and their understanding and application of Zhigancao Decoction have become deeper and more extensive. For example, Li Dongyuan, a medical expert in the Jin and Yuan dynasties, further elaborated and developed Zhigancao Decoction in his works, emphasizing the important role of the spleen and stomach in human health and believing that Zhigancao Decoction can treat various diseases by regulating the spleen and stomach. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, based on inheriting the experience of predecessors, medical experts conducted more detailed research and adjustment on the drug compatibility and dosage of Zhigancao Decoction, making its curative effect more exact.

2. Composition Introduction (King, Minister, Assistant, Guide)

1. King Drug - Roasted Licorice Root

Prepared Licorice Root tastes sweet, has a neutral nature, and belongs to the heart, lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. In Zhigancao Decoction, the dosage of Prepared Licorice Root is the largest, playing the roles of replenishing middle qi, strengthening the spleen and stomach, moistening the lungs to relieve cough, and harmonizing all the drugs. It can tonify the heart qi, nourish the heart yin, and relieve symptoms such as palpitations. It is the key drug for treating palpitations and knotted and intermittent pulse. At the same time, Prepared Licorice Root can also harmonize the properties of other drugs in the prescription, making the medicinal power of the whole prescription more gentle and coordinated.

2. Minister Drug - Raw Rehmannia Root

Raw Rehmannia Root tastes sweet and bitter, has a cold nature, and belongs to the heart, liver, and kidney meridians. It has the effects of clearing heat and cooling blood, nourishing yin and promoting the production of body fluids. In Zhigancao Decoction, the dosage of Raw Rehmannia Root is second only to Prepared Licorice Root. Its effect of nourishing yin and blood is relatively strong, which can nourish the heart yin and heart blood, provide sufficient nutrients for the heart, and improve symptoms such as knotted and intermittent pulse and palpitations caused by insufficiency of yin and blood. At the same time, the cold nature of Raw Rehmannia Root can restrict the warm nature of other drugs in the prescription, preventing the prescription from being too warm and damaging yin.

3. Assistant Drugs - Ginseng, Cinnamon Twig, Donkey-hide Gelatin, Ophiopogon Root, Hemp Seed

Ginseng tastes sweet and slightly bitter, has a slightly warm nature, and belongs to the spleen, lung, heart, and kidney meridians. It has the effects of greatly tonifying primordial qi, restoring the pulse and preventing collapse, invigorating the spleen and benefiting the lung, promoting the production of body fluids and nourishing blood, and calming the mind and improving intelligence. In Zhigancao Decoction, Ginseng can tonify the heart qi, enhance the heart function, and work synergistically with other herbs to jointly treat palpitations and knotted and intermittent pulse.

Cinnamon Twig tastes pungent and sweet, has a warm nature, and belongs to the heart, lung, and bladder meridians. It has the effects of inducing sweating to relieve the exterior syndrome, warming the channels to promote blood circulation, and assisting yang to transform qi. Cinnamon Twig in the prescription can warm the heart yang, promote blood circulation, make qi and blood unobstructed, and help improve the symptoms of knotted and intermittent pulse. At the same time, the warm nature of Cinnamon Twig can arouse yang qi and be mutually compatible with nourishing yin herbs such as Prepared Licorice Root and Raw Rehmannia Root, playing the role of tonifying both yin and yang.

Donkey-hide Gelatin tastes sweet, has a neutral nature, and belongs to the lung, liver, and kidney meridians. It has the effects of nourishing blood and yin, moistening dryness, and stopping bleeding. Donkey-hide Gelatin can nourish yin and blood, supplement the yin fluid component in the blood, and has a good therapeutic effect on knotted and intermittent pulse and palpitations caused by insufficiency of yin and blood. At the same time, the sticky texture of Donkey-hide Gelatin can also play the role of moistening the skin and relieving cough by moistening the lungs.

- Ophiopogon japonicus tastes sweet and slightly bitter, is slightly cold in nature, and belongs to the heart, lung, and stomach meridians. It has the effects of nourishing yin and promoting fluid production, moistening the lungs and clearing the heart. Ophiopogon japonicus can nourish the heart yin, clear heat and remove vexation, and has a certain relieving effect on symptoms such as vexation and palpitation caused by insufficient heart yin. In Zhigancao Decoction, Ophiopogon japonicus is combined with other yin-nourishing drugs to enhance the effect of nourishing yin and promoting blood circulation of the prescription.

- Cannabis Seed tastes sweet, is neutral in nature, and belongs to the spleen, stomach, and large intestine meridians. It has the functions of moistening the intestines and promoting defecation, nourishing and tonifying deficiency. Cannabis Seed mainly plays the role of nourishing yin fluid, moistening the intestines and lubricating the bowel in the prescription, preventing symptoms such as intestinal dryness and constipation caused by insufficient yin and blood. At the same time, the nourishing effect of Cannabis Seed also helps to supplement the body's yin fluid and assist in treating symptoms such as intermittent pulse and palpitations of the heart.

4. Guide Drugs - Fresh Ginger, Chinese Date

- Ginger tastes pungent, is slightly warm in nature, and belongs to the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. It has the effects of relieving exterior syndrome and dispelling cold, warming the middle-jiao and stopping vomiting, resolving phlegm and relieving cough, and detoxifying fish and crabs. Ginger can warm the stomach and dispel cold in Zhigancao Decoction, enhance the transportation and transformation function of the spleen and stomach, and promote the absorption and transportation of drugs. At the same time, the pungent-dispersing property of ginger can also harmonize the properties of other drugs in the prescription, making the medicinal power of the whole prescription more smooth.

- Chinese Date tastes sweet, is warm in nature, and belongs to the spleen, stomach, and heart meridians. It has the effects of replenishing qi in the middle-jiao and nourishing blood and calming the mind. Chinese Date can tonify the spleen and stomach, nourish blood and calm the mind, and cooperate with drugs such as Zhigancao and Ginseng to enhance the effect of tonifying qi and blood of the prescription. At the same time, the sweet taste of Chinese Date can also harmonize all the drugs, making the taste of the prescription more mild and easy to take.

Pathogenesis, Efficacy and Indications of Zhigancao Decoction

1. Pathogenesis

Zhigancao Decoction The pathogenesis targeted by Zhigancao Decoction is mainly deficiency of both heart yin and yang. Due to external pathogenic factors, prolonged internal illness, excessive fatigue and desires, etc., it leads to insufficient qi and blood in the human body, and damage to heart yin and heart yang. When heart yin is insufficient, the heart loses nourishment, presenting symptoms such as palpitation, vexation, and insomnia; when heart yang is insufficient, the propulsion is weak, and blood vessels do not circulate smoothly, presenting symptoms such as intermittent pulse. In addition, weakness of the spleen and stomach is also one of the important factors leading to deficiency of both heart yin and yang. The spleen and stomach are the foundation of acquired constitution and the source of qi and blood production. When the spleen and stomach are weak, qi and blood production is insufficient, unable to nourish the heart vessels, and aggravating the symptoms of deficiency of both heart yin and yang.

2. Efficacy

Zhigancao Decoction has the effects of nourishing yin and promoting blood circulation, warming yang and tonifying qi, and restoring the pulse and relieving palpitation. By nourishing heart yin and heart blood, supplementing the nutrients needed by the heart, and improving the condition of insufficient heart yin; at the same time, warming and tonifying heart yang, enhancing the yang qi of the heart, promoting blood circulation, and improving symptoms such as intermittent pulse caused by insufficient heart yang. In addition, the drugs in the prescription are combined with each other, and can also harmonize the spleen and stomach, promote qi and blood production, further enhance the effects of nourishing yin and promoting blood circulation, warming yang and tonifying qi, so as to achieve the therapeutic purpose of restoring the pulse and relieving palpitation.

3. Principal Treatment

Zhigancao Decoction is mainly used to treat the syndrome of deficiency of yin and yang qi and blood, and loss of nourishment of the heart vessels. Symptoms include intermittent pulse, palpitation of the heart, weakness and shortness of breath, smooth and little coating on the tongue, or dry and thin tongue. In addition, for consumptive lung atrophy belonging to deficiency of both qi and yin, symptoms such as cough, excessive salivation, emaciation and shortness of breath, vexation and insomnia, spontaneous sweating and night sweating, dry throat and mouth, constipation, and weak and rapid pulse, it also has a good therapeutic effect. In modern clinical applications, Zhigancao Decoction is also often used to treat various cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, viral myocarditis, etc., as well as some chronic consumptive diseases.

Analysis of the Formula of Zhigancao Decoction

1. Nourishing Yin and Blood with Warming Yang

In the Baked Licorice Decoction, herbs such as raw Rehmannia Root, Colla Corii Asini, Ophiopogon Root, and Fructus Cannabis are used in large amounts to nourish yin and blood, nourishing the heart yin and blood so that the heart can be nourished. At the same time, herbs such as Ginseng and Ramulus Cinnamomi are combined to supplement qi and warm yang, warming the heart yang and enhancing the function of the heart. The combination of nourishing yin and blood and supplementing qi and warming yang can correct the pathological state of deficiency of both heart yin and yang, restore the normal function of the heart, and ensure smooth blood circulation, thus achieving the purpose of treating intermittent pulse and palpitations.

2. Regulating the Spleen and Stomach for Qi and Blood Generation

In the formula, herbs such as Baked Licorice, Ginseng, Jujube Fruit, and Fresh Ginger are used to condition the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach are the foundation of acquired constitution and the source of qi and blood production. By conditioning the spleen and stomach and enhancing their transportation and transformation functions, it can promote the digestion and absorption of food, enable the production of qi and blood to have a source, thus providing sufficient nutrients for the heart and further nourishing the heart meridian. At the same time, the improvement of spleen and stomach function also helps to enhance the healthy qi of the human body, improve the body's resistance, and is beneficial to the recovery of the disease.

3. Synergistic Effect of Drug Compatibility

In the Baked Licorice Decoction, the herbs are combined with each other to synergistically enhance the effect. For example, the combination of Baked Licorice and Ramulus Cinnamomi can not only warm and dredge the heart yang but also harmonize nutrient qi and defensive qi; the combination of raw Rehmannia Root and Colla Corii Asini has a stronger effect on nourishing yin and blood; the combination of Ginseng, Ophiopogon Root, and Jujube Fruit supplements qi and nourishes yin and complements each other. The reasonable combination of these herbs makes the medicinal power of the whole formula more comprehensive and coordinated, and can better exert the effects of nourishing yin and blood, supplementing qi and warming yang, and restoring the pulse and relieving palpitations.

5. Comparison with Other Formulas

1. Guipi Decoction

Gui Pi Tang Both Gui Pi Tang and Baked Licorice Decoction have the effect of tonifying qi and blood. Gui Pi Tang mainly focuses on strengthening the spleen and nourishing the heart, supplementing qi and nourishing blood, and is applicable to the syndrome of deficiency of both the heart and spleen, manifested mainly by palpitations, insomnia, amnesia, poor appetite, fatigue, and sallow complexion. While Baked Licorice Decoction emphasizes more on nourishing yin and blood, supplementing qi and warming yang, and restoring the pulse and relieving palpitations, and is mainly used to treat the syndrome of deficiency of both heart yin and yang, with intermittent pulse and palpitations as the main symptoms. There are differences in pathogenesis and treatment between the two, and specific conditions should be considered when applying them clinically.

2. Tianwang Buxin Dan

Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan It also has the effects of nourishing yin and blood, tonifying the heart and calming the mind. Compared with Zhigancao Decoction, Tianwang Buxin Dan focuses on nourishing yin and clearing heat, nourishing blood and calming the mind, and is applicable to the syndrome of restlessness due to yin deficiency and blood deficiency, manifested mainly by palpitations, insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, spermatorrhea, amnesia, feverish palms and soles, etc. Zhigancao Decoction, on the basis of nourishing yin and blood, pays more attention to benefiting qi and warming yang, restoring the pulse and calming palpitations, and is more applicable to the syndrome of deficiency of both heart yin and yang with obvious yang deficiency symptoms.

6. Clinical Applications & Indications

1. Cardiovascular Diseases

- Coronary heart disease: Zhigancao Decoction can improve the myocardial ischemia symptoms of patients with coronary heart disease, relieve angina pectoris, and regulate arrhythmia. It has a good therapeutic effect on symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, and chest pain in patients with coronary heart disease. Clinical studies have shown that Zhigancao Decoction can increase coronary blood flow, reduce myocardial oxygen consumption, and protect myocardial cells, thus improving cardiac function.

- Arrhythmia: Whether it is premature beats, atrial fibrillation or bradycardia and other arrhythmias, Zhigancao Decoction has a certain therapeutic effect. It corrects arrhythmia by regulating the yin-yang balance of the heart and enhancing the automaticity and conductivity of the heart. For example, for patients with arrhythmia of qi-yin deficiency type, Zhigancao Decoction can nourish yin and benefit qi, nourish the heart and calm the mind, and restore the normal heart rhythm.

2. Viral Myocarditis

Viral myocarditis is mostly caused by viral infection, resulting in myocardial damage, presenting symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, and fatigue. Zhigancao Decoction has the effects of benefiting qi and nourishing yin, clearing heat and detoxifying, nourishing the heart and calming the mind, can reduce myocardial inflammatory reaction, promote the repair and regeneration of myocardial cells, and improve the symptoms and cardiac function of patients. Clinical practice has proved that adding Zhigancao Decoction in the treatment of viral myocarditis can improve the cure rate and reduce the occurrence of complications.

3. Chronic Deficiency Diseases

- Pulmonary atrophy: Pulmonary atrophy is a chronic consumptive pulmonary disease, mostly caused by prolonged illness with weakness of the body, deficiency of lung qi, and consumption of lung yin. Zhigancao Decoction has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening the lung, benefiting qi and promoting the production of body fluid for patients with pulmonary atrophy belonging to qi-yin deficiency, can relieve symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, dry throat and mouth, and improve lung function.

- Consumption disease: Consumption disease refers to a general term for a variety of chronic debilitating syndromes caused by deficiency of zang-fu organs, decline of qi, blood, yin and yang due to various reasons, and long-term deficiency without recovery. Zhigancao Decoction can regulate the balance of qi, blood, yin and yang of the human body by nourishing yin and blood, benefiting qi and warming yang, enhance the resistance of the body, and has a good therapeutic effect on symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, fatigue, and emaciation in patients with consumption disease.

7. Modified Zhigancao Decoction

1. Those with Yang Deficiency

If the yang deficiency symptoms of the patient are more obvious, the dosages of Ramulus Cinnamomi and Radix Ginseng can be increased to enhance the effect of warming yang and replenishing qi. At the same time, Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata can be appropriately added to enhance the power of warming yang. Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata is pungent and hot, which can assist the heart yang upward, warm the spleen yang in the middle, and tonify the kidney yang downward, and has a good therapeutic effect on palpitations with a rapid and irregular pulse due to yang deficiency and cold excess.

2. Those with Yin Deficiency

If the yin deficiency symptoms of the patient are more prominent, the dosages of Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Ophiopogonis, Colla Corii Asini, and Fructus Cannabis can be increased to enhance the effect of nourishing yin and blood. Lily Bulb and Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati, etc., which nourish yin and moisten the lung, can also be added to nourish the lung yin and relieve symptoms such as cough and dry throat caused by yin deficiency.

3. Those with Blood Stasis

If the patient concurrently shows blood stasis symptoms, such as chest pain and ecchymosis on the tongue, drugs promoting blood circulation and removing stasis, such as Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, and Radix Paeoniae Rubra, can be added to promote blood circulation and improve the condition of blood stasis obstruction. If blood stasis is not removed, new blood will not be generated. Adding drugs promoting blood circulation and removing stasis helps to improve the therapeutic effect of Zhigancao Decoction.

4. Those with Phlegm-Dampness

If the patient concurrently shows phlegm-dampness symptoms, such as chest distress, excessive phlegm, and greasy tongue coating, drugs resolving phlegm and removing dampness, such as Rhizoma Pinelliae, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, and Poria, can be added to dry dampness and resolve phlegm, regulate qi and harmonize the middle. The obstruction of phlegm-dampness in the interior can affect the flow of qi and blood, aggravating the symptoms of the heart vessels being deprived of nourishment. Adding drugs resolving phlegm and removing dampness can eliminate the pathogenic factor of phlegm-dampness, make qi and blood unobstructed, and is beneficial to the recovery of the disease.

VIII. Dosage (Traditional and Modern Concentrated Granules)

1. Traditional Method

The traditional usage of Zhigancao Decoction is to use nine liters of water to decoct the drugs. First, decoct Ephedra, remove the froth on the surface, then add the other drugs and decoct to obtain three liters. Take one liter warm, three times a day. This decocting method is rather cumbersome. It is necessary to decoct Ephedra first to remove the froth, and then add the other drugs to decoct together. During the decocting process, attention should be paid to controlling the heat and time to ensure that the effective components of the drugs are fully decocted.

2. Modern Concentrated Granules

With the development of modern pharmaceutical technology, Zhigancao Decoction also has a modern concentrated granule dosage form. This dosage form is convenient to take, has accurate dosages, and is easy to store. Generally speaking, it can be taken by冲服 according to the dosage instructions in the manual. Modern concentrated granules are made by extracting and concentrating traditional Chinese medicines, retaining the effective components of the drugs, and their curative effects are basically the same as those of traditional decoctions. For example, a certain brand of Zhigancao Decoction concentrated granules contains the same amount of medicine as the traditional decoction per bag. Patients only need to take it with boiling water and take it three times a day to achieve the purpose of treating diseases.

IX. Precautions and Taboos

1. Caution for Cold Constitution

Zhigancao Decoction contains yin-nourishing drugs such as Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Ophiopogonis, and Fructus Cannabis, and its nature is relatively cold. Those with a weak constitution of yang deficiency may aggravate the symptoms of internal deficiency and cold in the body after taking it, leading to discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Therefore, those with a weak constitution of yang deficiency should use Zhigancao Decoction with caution, or make adjustments according to the specific situation under the guidance of a doctor.

2. Compatibility of drugs for regulating the spleen and stomach for Weak Spleen & Stomach

There are many herbs in the formula, and their textures are sticky and greasy. For those with weak spleen and stomach, it may affect the transportation and transformation functions of the spleen and stomach, leading to symptoms such as indigestion and abdominal distension. Therefore, when those with weak spleen and stomach take Zhigancao Decoction, they can appropriately combine some herbs that regulate the spleen and stomach, such as Amomum villosum and Aucklandia lappa, to enhance the transportation and transformation ability of the spleen and stomach and promote the absorption of the herbs.

3. Dietary Taboos during Medication

During the medication period, it is necessary to avoid consuming stimulating foods such as raw and cold, greasy, and spicy foods, so as not to affect the efficacy of the herbs. Raw and cold foods are likely to damage the yang qi of the spleen and stomach, greasy foods are not easy to digest, and spicy foods are likely to promote the generation of fire and heat, all of which are not conducive to the recovery of the disease. At the same time, the diet should be kept light, and eat more easily digestible and nutritious foods, such as rice porridge, noodles, vegetables, fruits, etc.

4. Caution for Pregnant Women

The herb components in Zhigancao Decoction are relatively complex. Although there is no clear evidence that it has adverse effects on the fetus at present, for the sake of safety, pregnant women should use it with caution. If pregnant women have symptoms suitable for treatment with Zhigancao Decoction, they should use it carefully under the guidance of a doctor after weighing the pros and cons.

X. Modern Research Progress

Zhigancao Decoction (Fumai Decoction) comes from Treatise on Febrile Diseases and is a classical prescription for treating palpitations and intermittent pulses (knotted pulse, intermittent pulse, yin pulse, irregular pulse). It has the functions of tonifying qi and nourishing yin, warming the heart yang, and promoting yang and restoring the pulse. In the formula, yin herbs such as roasted Glycyrrhiza uralensis are combined with yang herbs such as Cinnamomum cassia. Clinically, Allium macrostemon is often added. Patients decoct it with water or with clear wine. It is applicable to syndromes of weak heart yang, insufficient heart qi, and insufficient yin blood such as coronary heart disease and viral myocarditis. In recent years, with the continuous development of modern medical technology, many new progress have been made in the research on Zhigancao Decoction.

1. Pharmacological Action Research

- Effects on the heart: Research shows that Zhigancao Decoction can regulate the electrophysiological activities of the heart and improve arrhythmia. It can regulate the excitability, automaticity, and conductivity of myocardial cells by affecting the ion channels of myocardial cells, thus restoring the normal heart rhythm. At the same time, Zhigancao Decoction can also increase myocardial contractility, improve myocardial ischemia, and protect myocardial cells from damage.

- Effects on the immune system: Zhigancao Decoction has a certain immunomodulatory effect. It can enhance the body's immunity and improve the body's resistance to pathogens. Research has found that Zhigancao Decoction can promote the proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes and enhance the phagocytic function of macrophages, thereby regulating the immune balance of the body.

- Effects on the nervous system: Some components in Zhigancao Decoction have the effects of calming the mind and soothing the nerves. It can regulate the functions of the nervous system and relieve symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia. For example, liquiritin in Glycyrrhiza uralensis has a certain sedative and hypnotic effect, which can improve sleep quality and make the mental state better.

2. Clinical Research Application

- Application in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases: In addition to common cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, and viral myocarditis, Zhigancao Decoction also has certain application prospects in the treatment of other cardiovascular diseases. For example, for patients with heart failure, Zhigancao Decoction can improve heart function, reduce the heart burden, and improve the quality of life and survival rate of patients. Clinical studies have found that on the basis of conventional treatment, the combined use of Zhigancao Decoction can significantly improve the symptoms and cardiac function indexes of heart failure patients.

- Application in the treatment of chronic diseases: Zhigancao Decoction also has a certain therapeutic effect on some chronic diseases, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, etc. Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome often present symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and insomnia. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this is mostly related to qi and blood deficiency and deficiency of both the heart and spleen. Zhigancao Decoction can effectively relieve the symptoms of patients and improve their quality of life by nourishing yin and blood, tonifying qi and warming yang, and regulating the heart and spleen. In the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, Zhigancao Decoction can improve symptoms such as pain and numbness caused by neuropathy. Its mechanism of action may be related to regulating nerve function and improving blood circulation.

3. Dosage Form Improvement Research

In order to improve the curative effect and convenience of taking Zhigancao Decoction, scientific researchers have conducted research on the improvement of its dosage form. In addition to the modern concentrated granule dosage form, capsule and tablet dosage forms of Zhigancao Decoction have also been developed. While retaining the effective components of the drug, these new dosage forms have the advantages of convenient taking, accurate dosage, and easy to carry, and are more suitable for the modern fast-paced lifestyle. For example, the Zhigancao Decoction capsule uses advanced preparation technology to make the drug into capsules. Patients only need to take it orally without decocting, which greatly saves time and energy. Moreover, the capsule dosage form can better protect the drug components, improve the stability and bioavailability of the drug, and thus enhance the therapeutic effect.

Summary

Zhigancao Decoction (Fumai Decoction) comes from Treatise on Febrile Diseases. It is a classical prescription for treating palpitations, intermittent and irregular pulses due to deficiency of heart yang, qi deficiency of the heart, and yin and blood deficiency. It has the functions of supplementing qi and nourishing yin, restoring yang and regulating the pulse, nourishing the heart blood, and moistening the intestines for defecation. The ingredients in the formula include roasted licorice, ginseng, donkey-hide gelatin, raw rehmannia root, cassia twig, semen cannabis (fructus cannabis), Chinese date, and fresh ginger, etc. It can be clinically modified and applied to coronary heart disease, viral myocarditis, functional arrhythmia, rheumatic heart disease, hyperthyroidism, etc. Patients often have spontaneous sweating and night sweating, dry cough without phlegm, constipation, weak and rapid or intermittent pulses, and smooth and little-tongued coating. In short, as a classical prescription in traditional Chinese medicine, Zhigancao Decoction has the functions of moistening the meridians, nourishing blood, nourishing the heart yin, warming the heart yang, and has extensive application value. With the continuous deepening of modern research, its therapeutic effect in the fields of cardiovascular diseases and chronic deficiency diseases has been increasingly emphasized. It is believed that in the future, Zhigancao Decoction will bring health benefits to more patients and also make greater contributions to the development of traditional Chinese medicine prescription science.