Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang甘草泻心汤

Licorice Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium

Harmonizing 和解剂Harmonize Intestines and Stomach 调和肠胃

Ingredients7 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

甘Zhi Gan Cao甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata12gUsed in the largest dose here — rebuilds middle-burner qi and calms the restlessness 黄Huang Qin黄芩Scutellariae Radix9gClears heat and dries damp alongside Huang Lian 人Ren Shen人参Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma9gTonifies the emptied middle burner so the diarrhea can stop 干Gan Jiang干姜Zingiberis Rhizoma9gWarms the middle and disperses the cold half of the knot 黄Huang Lian黄连Coptidis Rhizoma3gClears the heat half of the knot and checks the irritability 大Da Zao大枣擘Jujubae Fructus4枚Supports the Spleen and moderates the bitter cold herbs 半Ban Xia (prepared)半夏洗Pinelliae Rhizoma preparatum9gDisperses the knot below the heart and settles counterflow

Indications

Augments qi and harmonizes the StomachResolves focal distension and stops vomitingBalances cold and heat while restoring the middle burner

Focal distension on a background of Stomach qi deficiency. Repeated purging has emptied the middle burner, so the cold-heat knot below the heart is now accompanied by frank weakness — the distension is more marked, the diarrhea more frequent, the restlessness harder to settle.

Clinical Manifestations

Focal fullness below the sternum after a mistaken purge
Frequent watery diarrhea containing undigested food
Restlessness with dry retching and an inability to settle
Recurrent mouth ulcers with a weak digestion
Poor appetite with borborygmus

TonguePale body with a thin yellow or slightly greasy coat

PulseThin and rapid, or soggy and weak

Health Categories

Digestive Health

Modern Applications

Chronic diarrhea Recurrent aphthous ulcers Behçet syndrome Functional dyspepsia Colitis

Common adjustments

Diarrhea severe and unrelenting — add Bai Zhu 白术 and Fu Ling 茯苓
Mouth ulceration prominent — add Sheng Di Huang 生地黄 and increase Huang Lian 黄连
Qi deficiency marked with shortness of breath — increase Ren Shen 人参 or add Huang Qi 黄芪
Cold predominating with a cold abdomen — increase Gan Jiang 干姜

Contraindications

Not for a hard, painful epigastrium that resists pressure, which is a clumping rather than a focal distension. Because Gan Cao is used in a large dose, avoid prolonged high-dose courses in oedema or raised blood pressure and keep the case under practitioner review.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Use with caution in pregnancy — the formula contains prepared Ban Xia and a large dose of Gan Cao. Prescribe only under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.

Related Formulas

References

Source Shang Han Lun 《伤寒论》 · Eastern Han

「伤寒中风，医反下之，其人下利日数十行，谷不化，腹中雷鸣，心下痞硬而满，干呕心烦不得安……甘草泻心汤主之。」
— 《伤寒论》(classical source, public domain)

Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— appended-formula note and pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.