Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
炙甘草湯 · Zhì Gān Cǎo Tāng
A classical formula for irregular or intermittent pulse from Qi-blood and Yin deficiency with heart palpitations.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Qi-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Qi Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Tonify Qi and blood, nourish Yin, restore pulse
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Tonify Qi-blood and nourish Yin to restore irregular pulse
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for irregular or intermittent pulse from Qi-blood and Yin deficiency with heart palpitations.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for irregular or intermittent pulse with palpitations from Qi-blood and Yin deficiency, rather than pure Qi-Yin fluid deficiency or Heart Yin-blood deficiency insomnia alone.
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
炙甘草Zhi Gan Cao12g
Honey-fried Licorice- unblocks channels
- promotes the generation of blood and qi by supplementing the center
生地黃Sheng Di Huang30g
Raw Rehmannia Root- nourishes yin and blood
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
人參Ren Shen6g
Ginseng Root- strongly nourishes the original qi
阿膠E Jiao6g
Donkey-hide Gelatin- supplements ying-blood
麥冬Mai Dong12g
Ophiopogon Tuber- augments yin and generates fluids
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
火麻仁Huo Ma Ren9g
Hemp Seed- nourishes yin and moistens dryness
桂枝Gui Zhi9g
Cinnamon Twig- invigorates heart yang facilitates blood circulation
生薑Sheng Jiang9g
Fresh Ginger- warms and disperses external pathogens
- regulates the external wei qi
Classical Composition
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Zhi Gan Cao) 4 liang (12g)
- Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Sheng Jiang) 3 liang (9g)
- Cinnamomi Ramulus (Gui Zhi) 3 liang (9g)
- Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 2 liang (6g)
- Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di Huang) 1 jin (50g)
- Asini Corii Colla (E Jiao) 2 liang (6g)
- Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong) 0.5 liang (10g)
- Cannabis Fructus (Ma Ren) 0.5 liang (10g)
- Jujubae Fructus (Da Zao) 30 pieces
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Boosts qi
- enriches yin
- unblocks yang
- and restores the pulse.
Indications
- 1.
- Zhi Gan Cao Tang is indicated for patterns of yin-blood and yang-qi deficiency with malnutrition of the heart vessel.
- The symptoms are intermittent or knotted pulse, palpitations, weakness, emaciation, weak breathing, etc.
- Zhi Gan Cao Tang is indicated for deficiency-consumption and lung atrophy.
- The symptoms are dry cough without expectoration, or spitting up a small amount of saliva, emaciation, shortness of breath, insomnia, vexation, spontaneous sweating or night sweat, a dry throat and tongue, dry stool, and a deficient, rapid pulse.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is peeled with a scanty or dry and thin coating. 2.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is always seen in one of two circumstances.
- The first is the mistreatment of cold-induced diseases by sweating, vomiting, or purging; or from blood loss after catching a cold-induced disease.
- The second is a miscellaneous disease due to yin-blood insufficiency and deficiency of yang qi.
- Yin-blood insufficiency fails to nourish the heart mind and heart yang deficiency fails to warm the heart vessels, so the patient complains of palpitations.
Clinical presentation
- Zhi Gan Cao Tang is a well-known formula from《Treatise on Cold Damage》used to treat an intermittent or knotted pulse and palpitations.
- The insufficient yin-blood fails to fill in the blood vessel and deficient yang qi fails to activate or pump the blood vessel, these two leading to an intermittent or knotted pulse.
- The treatment should be to enrich heart yin, nourish heart blood, boost heart qi, and warm heart yang in order to restore the pulse and calm palpitations.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to tonify Qi-blood and nourish Yin to restore irregular pulse.
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Zhi Gan Cao Tang | Sheng Mai San | Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Tonify Qi and blood, nourish Yin, restore pulse | Tonify Qi, generate fluids, astringe Yin | Nourish Yin and Blood, tonify the Heart, calm the spirit |
| Formula Category | Qi-Tonifying Formulas | Qi-Tonifying Formulas | Calm the Shen Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Qi Deficiency | Qi Deficiency | Yin Deficiency |
| Main Conditions | Palpitations·Fatigue & Low Energy·Insomnia | Fatigue & Low Energy·Spontaneous Sweating·Dry Mouth & Throat·Palpitations | Insomnia·Anxiety Restlessness·Palpitations·Dry Mouth & Throat |
| Main Herbs | Honey-fried Licorice·Ginseng Root·Cinnamon Twig·Fresh Ginger·Donkey-hide Gelatin | Ginseng Root·Ophiopogon Tuber·Schisandra Fruit | Raw Rehmannia Root·Ginseng Root·Scrophularia Root·Salvia Root·Poria / Hoelen |
| Classical Source | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun (Li Dongyuan) / Yi Xue Qi Yuan | She Sheng Mi Pou (Ming dynasty) / classical Heart-Yin tonic tradition |
Clinical Perspective
Zhi Gan Cao Tang, Sheng Mai San and Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan all support the Heart. Sheng Mai San generates fluids and astringes Qi for Qi-Yin deficiency; Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan nourishes Heart Yin and blood for insomnia with Yin deficiency. Zhi Gan Cao Tang tonifies Qi and blood and restores the pulse for irregular or intermittent pulse with palpitations from Qi-blood and Yin deficiency.
Clinical Differentiation
- Zhi Gan Cao Tang is a formula that supplements yin, yang, qi, and blood at the same time.
- This clinical pattern is marked by intermittent or knotted pulse, palpitation, weakness, emaciation, weak breathing, peeled, pale tongue with a scanty coating.
Safety notes: When Zhi Gan Cao Tang is used to treat deficiency-consumption and lung wei disease due to qi-yin deficiency, one should decrease the dosage of, or omit, the warm medicinals such as sheng jiang, gui zhi, and wine since they will cause more yin-fluids deficiency.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Zhi Gan Cao Tang?
Zhi Gan Cao Tang (also called Fu Mai Tang) has the actions of tonifying Qi and Blood, nourishing Yin, restoring the pulse, and stopping palpitations. It is the Shang Han Lun formula for a bound or intermittent pulse with Heart palpitations from consumption of Qi, Blood, and Yin.
Which modern conditions is Zhi Gan Cao Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Qi-Blood-Yin deficiency of the Heart, including palpitations with an irregular or intermittent pulse of deficiency type, some arrhythmia presentations after medical evaluation, and dry Lung-atrophy cough of Qi-Yin deficiency type from Jin Gui Yao Lue.
Is Zhi Gan Cao Tang suitable for improving palpitations and an irregular pulse?
For presentations of palpitations, a bound or intermittent pulse, shortness of breath, dry mouth, constipation or dry stool, a pale or thin dry tongue, and weakness — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Heart Qi-Blood-Yin deficiency — TCM commonly applies Zhi Gan Cao Tang as an adjunct. Any new irregular pulse requires cardiac evaluation first.
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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.