Single Herb Glossary
Gé Gēn 葛根
| Pharmaceutical name | Puerariae Radix kudzu root |
| Category | Cool, Acrid, Release the Exterior |
| Key Properties | Raises clear Yang qi (Yang Ming) Encourages ST qi Release Heat (muscle) & vents rashes Alleviates thirst by raising ST fluids, treats diarrhea |
| Properties | Sweet Acrid Cool |
| Tropism | SP, ST |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Discharges Exterior Condition, releases Muscles (Headache, stiff upper back) 2) Relieves Heat & generate Fluids (wasting & thirsting, diabetes) 3) Vents (rashes) & Discharges Measles 4) Raises the Yang, Stops (any) Diarrhea (Excess or Deficiency) 5) Treats Symptoms of Hypertension |
| Dosages | 9-21 g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Caution with Cold in ST, Yang Def, may cause nausea/vomiting Caution during summer when excess perspiration accompanies Wind-Heat invasion |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Isoflavonoids 1.43 to 12.30% (puerarin, daidzin, daidzein, daidzein 4,7-diglucoside, formononetin, genistein), triterpenoid sapogenols |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Cardiovascular: marked effectiveness in dilating coronary blood vessels, relieving spasms of these vessels, and reducing oxygen requirement of cardiac muscles; administration of water or alcohol extracts via intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection effective in treating rats with acute myocardial ischemia; also dilates the blood vessels of the brain and increases local perfusion • Antiplatelet: puerarin inhibits platelet aggregation in mice • Antihypertensive: water and alcohol extracts have marked effectiveness in lowering blood pressure • Antipyretic: mild antipyretic action through vessel dilation • Antidiabetic: decoction has mild influence in lowering blood glucose levels • Antispasmodic: relieves intestinal muscle spasms and cramps • Antialcoholic: isoflavonoids, namely daidzin and daidzein, associated with marked antialcoholic effects in hamsters which consumed large amounts of ethanol |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Antidiabetics: use with caution with insulin, sulfonylureas, and other antidiabetic medications as combination may have a synergistic effect, leading to hypoglycemia • Anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs: use with caution in patients who take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications; may potentiate the effect of drugs such as warfarin |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang (Tangkuei Decoction to Pry Out Pain) 當歸拈痛湯 Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang (Kudzu, scutellaria, and coptis decoction) 葛根黃蓮黃苓湯 San Zhong Kui Jian Tang (Decoction to Disperse Swelling and Ulcerate What is Hard) 散腫潰堅湯 Shen Su Yin (GinSeng and Perilla Leaf Drink) 參蘇飲 Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang (Cimicifuga and Kudzu Decoction) 升麻葛根湯 Shi Shen Tang (Ten-Miracle Decoction) 十神湯 Yi Qi Cong Ming Tang (Augment the Qi and Increase Acuity Decoction) 益氣聰明湯 Yu Ye Tang (Jade Fluid Decoction) 玉液湯 Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang (Buplerum and Kudzu Decoction to Release the Muscle Layer) 柴葛解肌汤 Cong Bai Qi Wei Yin (Scallion Decoction with Seven Ingredients) 葱白七味飲 |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.