Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription from the Golden Guide, which is composed of Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Atractylodes macrocephala and Licorice. These four herbs work together to warm the yang, transform the body fluid, strengthen the spleen and benefit the body. It is mainly used to treat phlegm and fluid disease caused by insufficient yang. The following will introduce the composition, efficacy, indications, modern application and precautions of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang in detail.
Composition and usage of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
The ingredients of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang include:
4 liang of Poria cocos (12g)
3 liang of peeled cinnamon twig (9g)
Atractylodes macrocephala 2 liang (6g)
2 liang of roasted licorice root (6g)
Usage: decoct in water and drink warm.
The four medicinal ingredients of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang are combined according to the theory of monarch, minister, assistant and envoy, forming a synergistic effect of warming yang, transforming fluid, strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis.
Poria is the main drug, responsible for eliminating the accumulated phlegm and treating the source of phlegm; cinnamon twig is the ministerial drug, responsible for warming yang and transforming qi, promoting yang and transforming fluid; white atractylodes is the adjuvant drug, responsible for strengthening the spleen and drying dampness, enhancing the effect of strengthening the spleen and promoting water; liquorice is the guiding drug, responsible for harmonizing the drugs and alleviating the bias of the drugs. The four drugs work together to achieve the effect of warming yang and transforming fluid, strengthening the spleen and promoting water , and thus effectively treating phlegm and fluid caused by insufficient yang.
Addition and subtraction method:
The addition and subtraction method of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is as follows:
If the dizziness is severe, add Zexie.
For those who cough, vomit and have thin saliva, add Pinellia ternata and Chenpi.
If there is dry belching and pain on the top of the head, add Cornus officinalis.
If the body is cold, add aconite to warm and disperse water vapor.
For those with weak spleen qi, add dangshen and astragalus to replenish qi and strengthen the spleen.
Effects and indications of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
The main effects of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang are warming Yang, transforming fluid, strengthening the spleen and removing dampness. It is mainly used to treat phlegm and fluid disease caused by insufficient Yang in the middle, with symptoms including chest and pulmonary distension, dizziness and palpitations, shortness of breath and cough, white and slippery tongue coating, stringy and slippery or heavy pulse, etc.
The ingredients of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang each have their own unique effects, and they work together to achieve the therapeutic purpose. Poria cocos has the effects of strengthening the spleen and promoting water, and is the main ingredient in the prescription. Cinnamon twig warms the yang and transforms the qi, and can enhance the yang, open the pores, and clear the water channels. Atractylodes macrocephala strengthens the spleen and dries dampness, and can enhance the spleen's transportation and transformation function. Roasted licorice root is sweet and warm, and can harmonize the various drugs and alleviate the bias of the drugs.
Although Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang and Wu Ling San both have the effect of warming yang and promoting diuresis, their main indications are different in pathogenesis. Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is mainly used for phlegm and drinking disease caused by spleen yang deficiency and inability to control water, and water retention in the chest and abdomen, while Wu Ling San is mainly used for water retention syndrome caused by poor bladder qi transformation, mainly improving symptoms such as difficulty urinating, thirsty drinking but vomiting water, and edema.
Zhang Zhongjing mentioned in the "Golden Gui Yaolue": "For patients with phlegm and fluid, warming medicine should be used to treat it." Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang follows this principle and treats phlegm and fluid by warming the yang and transforming fluid, strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis. Its combination is rigorous, warm but not dry, and beneficial but not harsh, making it a harmonious medicine for treating phlegm and fluid.
Analysis on the pathogenesis of Lingguizhugantang
The formation of phlegm and drinking has a lot to do with the dysfunction of the body's internal organs, especially the dysfunction of the three organs of the lungs, spleen, and kidneys. The phlegm and drinking problem treated by Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is mainly due to the deficiency of Yang Qi in the middle jiao, which causes the spleen to not function normally, and water and moisture stagnate in the body, thus forming phlegm and drinking.
The spleen is called "Zhongzhou" in traditional Chinese medicine theory. It is responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrients from food and transporting these nutrients to all parts of the body. If the spleen's yang qi is insufficient, its transportation and transformation function will be abnormal, causing stagnation of dampness and the formation of phlegm . These phlegm will flow throughout the body with the flow of qi. If it stays in the chest and ribs, it will cause chest distension; if it is blocked in the middle jiao, it will cause dizziness; if it goes up and affects the heart and lungs, it will cause symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath and coughing .
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription that has the effects of warming the yang, transforming the body fluid, strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis. It is mainly used to treat phlegm and drinking diseases caused by insufficient yang in the middle.
The ingredients of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang each have their own unique effects, and they work together to achieve the therapeutic purpose. Poria cocos has the effects of strengthening the spleen and promoting water, and is the main ingredient in the prescription. Cinnamon twig warms the yang and transforms the qi, and can enhance the yang, open the pores, and clear the water channels. Atractylodes macrocephala strengthens the spleen and dries dampness, and can enhance the spleen's transportation and transformation function. Roasted licorice root is sweet and warm, and can harmonize the various drugs and alleviate the bias of the drugs.
Although Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang and Wu Ling San both have the effect of warming yang and promoting diuresis, their main indications are different in pathogenesis. Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is mainly used for phlegm and drinking disease caused by spleen yang deficiency and inability to control water, and water retention in the chest and abdomen, while Wu Ling San is mainly used for water retention syndrome caused by poor bladder qi transformation , mainly improving symptoms such as difficulty urinating, thirsty drinking but vomiting water, and edema.
Modern Research on Lingguizhugantang
Modern medical research has also confirmed the multiple effects of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang. Studies have shown that Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang has multiple biological activities such as diuresis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune regulation. These biological activities make it have potential application value in the treatment of various diseases.
Diuretic effect: Poria and Atractylodes macrocephala in Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang have significant diuretic effects, which can promote the discharge of excess water in the body, thereby alleviating the symptoms of edema and phlegm. Cinnamon twig can promote the metabolism and excretion of water by warming the yang and transforming the qi.
Anti-inflammatory effect: Many ingredients in Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang have anti-inflammatory effects, which can inhibit the release of inflammatory factors and reduce inflammatory reactions. This is of great significance for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma.
Antioxidant effect: The ingredients in Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang also have antioxidant effects, which can remove free radicals in the body and protect cells from oxidative damage. This has potential application value in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Regulating immunity: Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang also has the function of regulating immunity, which can enhance the body's immune function and improve the body's disease resistance. This is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of various infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.
Modern Applications
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is widely used in modern medicine for a variety of diseases, including:
Chronic bronchitis
Bronchial asthma
Cardiac edema
Chronic glomerulonephritis edema
Meniere's disease
Neurosis
The pathogenesis of these diseases is mostly due to water retention in the middle burner, so the effects of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang in warming the yang, transforming the water, strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis can effectively treat these symptoms.
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is widely used in modern medicine and can effectively treat a variety of diseases. For example, it can be used to treat various types of vertigo (such as otopathic vertigo, hypertensive vertigo, and post-concussion vertigo), chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, coronary heart disease, heart failure, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac neurosis, duodenal ulcer, gastroptosis, gastric atonia, chorea, habitual spasm, thirst caused by endocrine disorders (preferring hot drinks), chronic nephritis, breast lobular hyperplasia (breast lumps), chronic axial optic neuritis, night blindness, retinitis, keratitis, sinusitis, otitis media, labyrinthal nerve diseases, tinnitus caused by cervical spondylosis, simple obesity, etc.
In addition, Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang can also improve many cold sequelae, such as sputum, postnasal drip, nasal congestion, shortness of breath due to unexplained heart disease, wheezing when walking, etc. These symptoms are mostly caused by insufficient middle yang, dysfunction of spleen function, and internal retention of water and dampness. Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang's effects of warming yang, transforming fluid, strengthening spleen and promoting water can effectively alleviate these symptoms.
Modern research on Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang has also confirmed its multiple biological activities, including diuresis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune regulation. These biological activities make it potentially useful in the treatment of a variety of diseases. Clinical application cases have further demonstrated the significant efficacy of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang in the treatment of chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, cardiogenic edema, and chronic glomerulonephritis edema.
Notes
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang has a warm nature. It should be used with caution by those with phlegm and deficiency of Yin and excessive fire. It should not be used by those with damp-heat obstruction. The original prescription says that "urination will be smooth" after taking the medicine. Urinating will increase after taking it, which is a good sign that the evil of phlegm is removed through urine.
Conclusion
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription that has the effects of warming Yang, transforming fluid, strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis. It is mainly used to treat phlegm and fluid disease caused by insufficient Yang in the middle. It is widely used in modern times and can effectively treat a variety of diseases, such as chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, cardiogenic edema, chronic glomerulonephritis edema, etc. Clinical cases have also proved its significant efficacy in treating plum pit qi and hiccups.
In short, Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription with wide application value. Its effects of warming yang, transforming fluid, strengthening spleen and promoting diuresis can effectively treat a variety of diseases. In modern medicine, Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang has broad application prospects and deserves further research and promotion.