Ge Gen Tang

Ge Gen Tang (Kudzu Decoction), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.

Actions: Releases the exterior and muscle layer; Promotes generation of body fluids.

Presentation: Taiyang syndrome with wind-cold invasion: severe muscle stiffness of the neck and back, aversion to cold, with or without fever, aversion to wind, absence of perspiration, and diarrhea.

Cautions:

• Refer to the cautions for Ma Huang Tang.

Toxicology: Relatively safe: no toxicity in mice at 2.5 g/kg orally or at 17 times the adult human dose; in humans, extract at 7.5 g/day was associated with mild nausea, vomiting, fatigue and constipation.

Herb–drug interactions:

• Acetaminophen: no significant pharmacokinetic change when co-administered with Ge Gen Tang in human volunteers

Pharmacological effects reported:

• Antibacterial: in vitro inhibition of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, only at high concentration
• Antiviral: 5.0 mg per mouse TID was markedly effective in early influenza infection, linked to enhanced interleukin-12 and reduced viral yield
• Antipyretic: reduced fever in influenza-infected mice via suppression of interferon-induced IL-1alpha
• Anti-inflammatory: oral use inhibited both early exudative and late proliferative inflammation
• Cardiovascular: IV 0.25-0.5 g/kg in anesthetized dogs and cats dilated vessels and increased cerebral perfusion for about one hour
• Chronotropic and inotropic: positive effects via beta-adrenoceptor stimulation and/or norepinephrine release in the heart
• Immunostimulant: raised phagocytic activity in immunosuppressed mice but suppressed hyperactive immune responses; increased NK cells in 10 human subjects
• Hepatoprotective: Ge Gen saponins (soyasaponin I, kudzusaponin) inhibited ALT elevation in rats with immunological liver injury

Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 59.

Source text: cook Ma Huang and Ge Gen first in 10 cups [2,000 mL] water to 8 cups [printed as 1,400 mL], skim foam, add the rest and reduce to 3 cups [600 mL]; take 1 cup [200 mL] warm for mild sweating.