Fu Ling Gan Cao Tang
Star茯苓甘草汤 (Poria and Licorice Decoction)
Source: Discussion of Cold Damage (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Fu Ling Gan Cao Tang (Poria and Licorice Decoction), from Discussion of Cold Damage (c. 220).
Associated formula of Wu Ling San.
Actions: Warms the yang; Transforms thin mucus; Unblocks the yang; Disperses pathogenic water
Indications: Epigastric palpitations, cold extremities, no particular thirst, slippery white tongue coating, wiry pulse.
Pattern: Pathogenic water stopping in the epigastrium with Spleen and Stomach deficiency
Usage: For middle-burner water buildup with palpitations (versus Wu Ling San's lower-burner buildup with thirst).
Category: Formulas that Promote Urination and Leach Out Dampness.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 729.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Poria (fu ling) 6g
|
6g | 25% | — | |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Cinnamomi Ramulus (gui zhi) 6g
|
6g | 25% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Glycyrrhizae Radix preparata (zhi gan cao) 3g
|
3g | 12.5% | — | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Zingiberis Rhizoma recens (sheng jiang) 9g
|
9g | 37.5% | — |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net slightly warm (+0.63)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 38%, warm 63%.
Taste
- pungent 50%
- sweet 38%
- bland 13%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Spleen 75%
- Heart 63%
- Stomach 50%
- Kidney 25%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Jiu Wei Bing Lang Jia Wu Fu Tang = this formula + Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Ju Pi Tang + Bing Lang, Hou Po, Mu Xiang, Wu Zhu Yu and Zi Su Ye
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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