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Cura x Cura

Ge Gen葛根

Puerariae Lobatae Radix · Kudzu Root · Pueraria Root

Herbs that Release the Exterior 解表药《神农本草经》

Overview

The herb for a stiff, aching neck and upper back at the onset of an illness: sweet, acrid and cool, it releases the muscle layer where a pathogen has tightened it, and at the same time generates fluids for a dry mouth. Its second face is digestive — lifting the clear yang to firm up loose stools. Chief herb of Ge Gen Tang.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, acrid · Cool

Channels

Spleen · Stomach

Typical Dosage

9–15 g in decoction
葛根Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Releases the muscle layer, reduces feverExterior patterns of either cold or heat where the neck, shoulders and upper back are stiff and painful, with fever and no sweating.
  • Vents rashesEarly measles where the rash has not fully surfaced.
  • Generates fluids, relieves thirstThirst and a dry mouth after heat has consumed fluids; also used within formulas for wasting-and-thirsting patterns.
  • Raises the clear yang, stops diarrheaLoose stools of Spleen deficiency and damp-heat diarrhea; the dry-roasted form Ge Gen is preferred for this.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ge Gen

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Exterior patterns with a stiff, painful neck and upper back
    - Fever without sweating at the onset of illness
    - Incompletely expressed measles rash
    - Thirst and dry mouth from fluid damage
    - Diarrhea of Spleen deficiency or damp-heat

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Cervical stiffnessTension headacheCommon coldDiarrheaDry mouth

Contraindications

Cautions

Cool and lifting: use carefully in exterior deficiency with profuse sweating, and where yang is already flaring upward. Someone whose digestion is cold and weak may find larger doses loosening. Kudzu is not a treatment for high blood pressure or diabetes and must not be used in place of prescribed medication for them.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

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.