Stress can lead to symptoms such as lack of concentration, mental confusion, insomnia, and anxiety. It can also cause frequent mood swings, sadness, and uncontrollable crying. These symptoms may indicate a condition known as "Zangzao" in Chinese medicine. In such cases, drinking Gan Mai Da Zao Tang can help alleviate these symptoms.
[Composition]
90g of licorice, 30g of wheat, and ten red dates.
[Usage]
Decoction. Boil the three ingredients with six liters of water until three liters remain. Divide into three servings and consume while warm.
[Efficiency Explanation]
Nourishes the heart, calms the mind, and harmonizes the middle burner. Suitable for symptoms caused by deficiency of the heart and spleen, such as mental confusion, lack of self-control, sadness and crying, and frequent yawning.
[Medicinal Food Introduction]
1. Wheat:
It has four main medicinal functions: nourishing the heart, benefiting the kidneys, nourishing the blood, and invigorating the spleen. It also has four major uses: relieving irritability, stopping bleeding, diuretic, and nourishing the lungs. Whole wheat products, especially whole wheat bread, are considered anti-depressant foods and can help alleviate mental stress and tension.
Consuming whole wheat products can lower estrogen levels in the bloodstream, thereby preventing breast cancer. For menopausal women, consuming unprocessed wheat can help relieve symptoms of menopause.
Wheat flour has the effects of nourishing and rejuvenating the skin, reducing wrinkles, and removing spots. Insoluble dietary fiber in wheat can prevent constipation and cancer. In addition to human consumption, a small amount of flour is used to produce starch, alcohol, gluten, etc. The by-products after processing are high-quality feed for livestock.
2. Red dates:
Fruit (red dates): Tonifies the middle burner and nourishes qi, nourishes the blood, and calms the mind. It is used for symptoms such as poor appetite due to spleen deficiency, fatigue, loose stools, and irritability in women.
Bark: Anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and antidiarrheal. Used for bronchitis, enteritis, dysentery, and uterine bleeding; externally used to treat external bleeding.
Root: Promotes qi circulation, invigorates blood, and regulates menstruation. Used for irregular menstruation, excessive menstrual bleeding, and abnormal vaginal discharge.
3. Licorice:
① Tonifies the spleen and nourishes qi
Used for deficiency of heart qi, palpitations, irregular pulse, as well as deficiency of spleen and stomach qi, fatigue, and weakness.
② Relieves urgency and pain
Used for stomachache, abdominal pain, and gastrocnemius muscle spasms. When used together with peony, it significantly enhances the effectiveness in treating spasms and pain, such as in the Peony and Licorice Decoction.
③ Expels phlegm and stops coughing
Licorice has the effect of stopping cough and resolving phlegm. It is used for coughing with excessive phlegm, asthma, and difficulty in expectoration caused by bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema.
④ Clears heat and detoxifies
Used for boils, abscesses, ulcers, sore throat, and damp-heat conditions. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It can also be used to reduce the toxicity of other Chinese medicines.
[Clinical Application of Gan Mai Da Zao Tang]
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang is a representative formula for treating Zangzao and menopausal syndrome. It is commonly used for symptoms such as sadness, uncontrollable crying, mental confusion, and irritability.
Modification: If insomnia is severe or menstrual flow is scanty and pale, with continuous spotting, it can be used together with Gui Pi Tang. If the tongue is red with little coating and there are obvious signs of Yin deficiency and internal heat, it can be used together with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. If there is restlessness, insomnia, frequent dreams, dizziness, thin and rapid pulse, and insufficient liver blood, it can be used together with Suan Zao Ren Tang. If there is significant mental confusion, forgetfulness, and obvious insomnia with a red tongue, thin and rapid pulse, indicating deficiency of both heart Yin and kidney Yin, it can be used together with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. If insomnia is significant, with a yellow tongue coating and the presence of phlegm-heat, it can be used together with Wen Dan Tang. If there is poor mood, restlessness, frequent yawning, and obvious liver depression, it can be used together with Xiao Yao San or Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San. If there is restlessness and insomnia, a red tongue with little coating, and more obvious Yin deficiency, add Sheng Di and Bai He to nourish the heart Yin. If there is dizziness, thin and rapid pulse, and insufficiency of liver blood, add Suan Zao Ren and Dang Gui to nourish the liver, replenish blood, and calm the mind.
