Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang
Star甘草干姜茯苓白术汤 (Licorice, Ginger, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang (Licorice, Ginger, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Warms yang and strengthens the Spleen; Dispels cold and dampness.
Presentation: Cold and dampness in the lower body: coldness and pain of the lower back and body, extremely heavy sensation in the lower back, normal appetite, no thirst, normal urination.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1133.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gan Jiang
chief role stated in the Authors' Comments; as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 12g
|
12g | 33.33% | Jun (Chief) | used at high dose to warm the Kidney and dispel cold fixed in the lower back |
|
Fu Ling
deputy role stated in the Authors' Comments; as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 12g
|
12g | 33.33% | Chen (Deputy) | strengthens the middle jiao and drains dampness through urination |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 6g
|
6g | 16.67% | Zuo (Assistant) | strengthens the middle jiao and resolves dampness |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 6g
|
6g | 16.67% | strengthens the middle jiao and resolves dampness |
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 warm (+0.83)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 50%, warm 17%, hot 33%.
Taste
- pungent 33%
- sweet 42%
- bitter 8%
- bland 17%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Lung 83%
- Heart 83%
- Stomach 67%
- Kidney 33%
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.
Preparation
Cook in 5 cups [1,000 mL] water down to 3 cups [600 mL]; take warm in three equal doses. Normally decocted today.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Shi Pi Yin = this formula + Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang + Cao Guo, Da Fu Pi, Hou Po, Mu Gua and Mu Xiang
- Xiong Gui Tiao Xue Yin = this formula + Chen Pi, Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Mu Dan Pi, Shu Di Huang, Wu Yao, Xiang Fu and Yi Mu Cao
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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