Category: Gynaecology, psyche, nerves, insomnia, fatigue, liver system, heart system.

Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• nourishes Heart Yin
• supports Heart Qi
• softens and unblocks the Liver
• calms the Shen spirit

Description:

One of the oldest formulas intended for the treatment of psychological issues, originating from the famous Zhang Zhong-Jing, from his Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet, 220 AD. Originally, it contained only three herbs – liquorice, wheat, and jujube – and was intended for the treatment of hysteria, affecting primarily the emperor – the heart and its Shen spirit. In our variant, it is expanded to also act on the Liver – we soften it (i.e., replenish nourishment – Yin) and unblock it, thereby also calming its Hun spirit. Acorus in the mixture additionally helps us to better perceive reality. In this form, the mixture treats two main problems resulting from a "restless spirit": emotional instability (depressive mood, anxiety, excessive rumination and "worrying", causeless weeping, and rapid mood swings) and sleep difficulties, which are often very restless. Furthermore, the mind can seem "clouded", self-talk and/or nonsensical speech may appear, and at night, there is excessive dreaming. Physical symptoms often include sweating, heart palpitations, and yawning.

It is precisely the wheat, which has astringent effects and makes up the largest proportion of the mixture, that is able to bring into the body what is "leaking" – Yin – and stops sweating. In the same way, it helps to return the "leaking" Shen and Hun, also because, together with other herbs, it can nourish Qi, Yin, and cool heat from its deficiency.

Today, the mixture has two main uses, for which Giovanni Maciocia, an icon and doyen of modern Traditional Chinese Medicine, also called it a "magic formula":

• calming unpleasant emotions within premenstrual syndrome or issues around menopause
• night crying and night terrors in children

It is balanced, harmonious, and safe, just like the ladies and little ones who use it.

Prof. Maciocia said of this mixture: Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is prescribed in a whole range of modifications for various conditions. Currently, the prevailing view is that it is a prescription intended for states of Heart Yin deficiency, Spleen deficiency, and Liver Qi stagnation. The original text states that it is a prescription for Zang Zao, which literally means "visceral agitation".

Prescribing this formula for Liver Qi stagnation is usually justified by a citation from the 22nd chapter of the Su Wen (part of the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), which states that the sweet taste calms the Liver (within the reverse cycle of the mutual control of the five elements). And the Gan Mai Da Zao Tang decoction is by its nature very sweet. I personally consider this explanation not very convincing, because I think it reflects the tendency of modern Chinese medicine to overemphasize Liver Qi stagnation.

I myself use this formula primarily for patterns of Qi, Blood, or Yin deficiency (but not for Yang deficiency).

It is a very interesting formula, primarily for its deep effect on mental health, even though it is composed of only three herbs with a seemingly mild effect, two of which belong to both foods and herbs, namely black dates, liquorice, and wheat husks.

I consider this recipe very suitable in cases where the patient not only suffers from depression and anxiety but also mental confusion, where it could be said that they are absent-minded. This state can often be reached through excessive use of marijuana in the past.

I use this recipe in cases where the mentioned mental-emotional symptoms appear against a background of Spleen, Heart, and Lung Qi deficiency and Heart Blood deficiency.

The recipe can also benefit the treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders in children.

Indications:

• weeping
• inability to control one's emotions
• restless sleep
• night sweats
• heart palpitations
• depression, sadness
• lack of joy
• melancholy
• confusion, self-talk
• memory problems
• fatigue
• frequent yawning
• loss of appetite

Modern effects:

• psychological imbalances within premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• premenopausal issues
• childhood night crying and terrors

Tongue:

• normal or thinner
• may be reddish
• with a dry coating

Pulse:

• xi (fine)
• hint of xian (tense)

Contraindications:

• the mixture contains wheat
• the mixture is therefore not suitable for people with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance

Note:

The mixture is similar in its action to the An Shen Ding Zhi Wan mixture, which, however, contains "heavy products" and herbs to replenish blood. It therefore "grounds" better, while Gan Mai Da Zao Pian better replenishes Qi and stops sweating. If you are gluten intolerant, reach for this one.

Composition of the recipe: