【Source】

Synopsis of the Golden Chamber

 【Composition】

Licorice, Wheat, Jujube
(3)

 【Category】

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Licorice, Jujube

<Astringent>: Wheat

【Formula Rationale】

From “Selected Commentaries on Ancient Formulas“: Licorice dispels the heart and is not for dispelling stagnation heat. It is due to the spleen’s inability to regulate the upper and lower parts, leading to the upward counterflow of cold water and the inability of fire heat to descend, resulting in stagnation. Therefore, Licorice and Jujube are used as the sovereign herbs to nourish the Yin of the stomach, while Dry Ginger and Pinellia unblock the Yang of the stomach, grounding the invading Qi in the lower jiao and preventing upward counterflow. Coptis and Scutellaria are then used to gently purge the Qi of the counterflow stagnation. This leads to the resolution of stagnation. From “The Golden Mirror of Medicine“: The formula is named after Licorice to signify its gentle and harmonizing nature. The sweet and warm properties of Licorice and Jujube tonify the middle jiao and alleviate urgency, effectively treating stagnation. Pinellia’s pungent nature breaks up upward counterflow. Coptis and Scutellaria purge the stagnation heat of sinking Yang, while Dry Ginger disperses the stagnation cold of congealing Yin. It addresses urgency, breaks up counterflow, and purges cold and heat stagnation. From “Han Dian“: The Licorice and Jujube in the formula are pacifying agents that can alleviate extremely urgent conditions such as muscle spasms, nervous excitement, and pain. Wheat also has a calming and tranquilizing effect, especially in calming severe nervous excitement of the brain.

 【Functions】

Harmonizes the middle jiao and alleviates urgency, calms the spirit and soothes restlessness, nourishes the heart and calms the spirit, tonifies spleen Qi.

 【Indications】

Women with insufficient Yin in the organs, leading to “organ vexation” (zangzao), characterized by mental disorientation, hysteria, epilepsy, and other mental disorders; frequent sadness and desire to cry uncontrollably, vexation and restlessness in the chest, disturbed sleep, severe cases exhibiting abnormal speech and behavior, frequent yawning, red tongue with little coating, and a fine and rapid pulse.

 【Clinical Applications】

Neurasthenia, schizophrenia, psychoneurosis, hysteria, menopausal syndrome, mania, depression, epilepsy, chorea, neurosis, infantile nocturnal crying.

 【Mnemonic】

<a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/甘麥大棗湯/’>Gan Mai Da Zao Tang nourishes the heart and calms the spirit; taken for organ vexation, one recovers.

 【Modifications】

(1) For vexation and insomnia with a red tongue and little coating, add Ophiopogon japonicus, Platycladus orientalis seed, and Lily bulb to nourish the heart and calm the spirit. (2) For restlessness and insomnia with a wiry and fine pulse, add Ziziphus jujuba seed to soften the liver and calm the spirit. (3) For palpitations, add Oyster shell for sedation.

 【Pharmacology】

Possesses sedative and hypnotic, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, antibacterial, antipyretic, and estrogen-like effects. It can calm severe nervous excitement and alleviate urgent spasms.