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Cura x Cura

Ge Fen葛粉

Kudzu Starch · Kudzu Root Starch · Pueraria Starch

Herbs that Clear Heat 清热药

Overview

The washed starch settled out of crushed kudzu root and dried into brittle white flakes. It keeps the cooling, fluid-generating side of Ge Gen but almost none of its acrid, exterior-releasing action, so it is used more as a food-like remedy than as a decoction herb: stirred into hot water it makes a clear gruel for heat, thirst, irritability and the aftermath of alcohol.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Cool

Channels

Spleen · Stomach

Typical Dosage

9–21 g, stirred into hot water as a thin gruel or added to a decoction
葛粉Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears heat, generates fluidsThirst, a dry mouth and irritability during or after a febrile illness, and in hot weather.
  • Eases the aftermath of alcoholThirst, headache and an unsettled stomach after drinking; a household preparation rather than a prescription herb.
  • Harmonises the stomachBland and easy to take when appetite is poor and the stomach will not tolerate much — often the only thing a convalescent patient keeps down.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ge Fen

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Thirst and irritability from heat damaging fluids
    - Dry mouth in convalescence
    - Discomfort and thirst after drinking alcohol
    - Poor appetite in recovery, as a light gruel

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

DehydrationHangoverConvalescent nutritionDry mouth

Contraindications

Cautions

Cool and bland: heavy or repeated use can loosen the stools in someone with a cold, weak Spleen. It is a starch, so count it into carbohydrate intake if blood sugar is being managed. Kudzu starch sold as a grocery item is often cut with other starches — use a dispensary-grade product when it is being taken as medicine.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Generally compatible as a food-grade preparation; the amount and duration in pregnancy still belong to the treating practitioner.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》 (Zhonghua Ben Cao).

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.