Gou Teng San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
鉤藤散 · Gōu Téng Sǎn
A liver-wind formula centered on Uncaria, not the same as Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Liver-Wind Extinguishing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Liver Fire
- Primary Function
- Calm the liver, extinguish wind, clear heat
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Calm the liver, extinguish wind, clear heat
- Classical Source
- Pu Ji Ben Shi Fang (Xu Shuwei, Song dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A liver-wind formula centered on Uncaria, not the same as Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin.
Therapeutic Principle
Selected for dizziness from liver wind with phlegm-heat, when a Song-dynasty Gou Teng-centred formula is preferred over Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
半夏Ban Xia15g
Pinellia Rhizome- transforms phlegm
茯苓Fu Ling15g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen and calms the spirit
茯神Fu Shen15g
Poria with Pine Root- calms the spirit
陳皮Chen Pi15g
Tangerine Peel- moves qi and transforms phlegm
麥門冬Mai Men Dong15g
Ophiopogon Tuber- nourishes yin and generates fluids
人參Ren Shen15g
Ginseng Root- tonifies qi
防風Fang Feng15g
Saposhnikovia Root- dispels wind
Classical Composition
- Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis (Gou Teng) 15g
- Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen Pi) 15g
- Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia) 15g
- Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Men Dong) 15g
- Poria (Fu Ling) 15g
- Poriae Pararadicis Sclerotium (Fu Shen) 15g
- Ginseng Radix (Ren Shen) 15g
- Chrysanthemi Flos (Ju Hua) 15g
- Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fang Feng) 15g
- Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata (Zhi Gan Cao) 3g
- Gypsum Fibrosum (Shi Gao) 30g. Decoct with fresh ginger.
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Calms the liver
- extinguishes wind
- and clears heat. Distinct from Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin.
Indications
- Liver wind with phlegm-heat disturbing the head.
- Dizziness, headache, tinnitus, irritability, red eyes, insomnia, wiry or rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Liver yang rises and transforms into wind, with phlegm and heat disturbing the head.
- Clear yang fails to ascend.
Clinical presentation
- Dizziness, headache, tinnitus, irritability, red eyes, insomnia, thin yellow or white coating, wiry or rapid pulse.
Treatment strategy
- Calm the liver, extinguish wind, clear heat, transform phlegm.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Gou Teng San and Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin both calm liver wind. Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin is stronger for liver yang rising with more blood-invigorating and kidney-tonifying herbs. Gou Teng San adds phlegm-transforming and qi-tonifying herbs from the Song dynasty original.
Clinical Differentiation
- Used for dizziness from liver wind with phlegm-heat.
- Key points: dizziness with irritability, possible red eyes.
- Distinct from Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin which is stronger on liver yang and blood.
Safety notes: Not appropriate for pure cold-phlegm dizziness without heat, or for yang deficiency.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gou Teng San? Are Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin and Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang the same?
Gou Teng San (钩藤散) is a classic formula from Puji Benshi Fang, centered on leveling the Liver, extinguishing wind, clearing heat, transforming phlegm, and tonifying qi and nourishing yin for Liver reversal dizziness. Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin levels the Liver, extinguishes wind, clears heat and moves blood, leaning to Liver yang rising with wind-fire. Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang sedates the Liver, extinguishes wind, nourishes yin and subdues yang, leaning to yin deficiency with yang rising. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Gou Teng San. Use caution in pure deficiency without heat and Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.
What is the composition and traditional use of Gou Teng San?
Classic composition: Gou Teng, Chen Pi, Ban Xia, Mai Dong, Fu Ling, Fu Shen, Ren Shen, Ju Hua, Fang Feng each 15 g; Zhi Gan Cao about 3 g; Sheng Shi Gao 30 g. It acts to level the Liver, extinguish wind, clear heat, transform phlegm, tonify qi and nourish yin. It is used for Liver reversal dizziness: dizziness, headache, tinnitus, insomnia, etc. Gou Teng, Ju Hua and Fang Feng level the Liver, extinguish wind and clear the head; Shi Gao clears heat; Ban Xia, Chen Pi and Fu Ling transform phlegm and harmonize the center; Ren Shen and Mai Dong tonify qi and nourish yin; Fu Shen calms the spirit.
How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin replace it?
Ban Xia is usually washed and prepared; Gan Cao is honey-fried. Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin leans to pure leveling of the Liver and clearing heat without heavy Ren Shen and Mai Dong for qi and yin; it cannot replace the formula by equal weight. Commercial products or decoctions follow regulated compounding; do not self-modify.
Related Products
Han's Gou Teng San (Uncaria Formula) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Liver Yang Rising, Internal Wind & Hypertension
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.