Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang
Star甘草泻心汤 (Licorice Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang (Licorice Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Benefits qi and harmonizes the Stomach; Relieves epigastric distention and stops diarrhea.
Presentation: Epigastric distention caused by Stomach deficiency and interlocking of heat and cold in the interior: epigastric fullness, distention and hardness, dry heaves, vomiting, irritability, borborygmus, and diarrhea with undigested food in the stools.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 269.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae, xi (washed)) 0.5 cup [9g]
|
9g | 21.43% | disperses stagnation, relieves distention, directs rebellious Stomach qi downward | |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 14.29% | warms the middle jiao and disperses cold | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 14.29% | sedates heat and relieves distention | |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 3g
|
3g | 7.14% | sedates heat and relieves distention | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 14.29% | tonifies the middle jiao and strengthens the Spleen | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae, bo (opened)) 12 pieces [4 pieces]
|
4pieces | 100% | tonifies the middle jiao | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 12g
|
12g | 28.57% | larger dose greatly tonifies the Stomach and treats diarrhea with undigested food |
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 neutral (+0.21)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 21%, neutral 29%, warm 36%, hot 14%.
Small but decisive: Huang Lian 3g (cold, 7% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 36%
- sweet 36%
- bitter 29%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Lung 93%
- Stomach 86%
- Heart 79%
- Large intestine 21%
- Gallbladder 21%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Da Zao.
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
Source: cook in 10 cups [2,000 mL] water to 6 cups [1,200 mL]; discard the dregs and reduce the strained liquid to 3 cups [600 mL]; take 1 cup [200 mL] warm three times daily. Today decocted at the bracketed doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
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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