Gao Fang, also known as Gao Ji, is named after its dosage form and belongs to one of the eight dosage forms in traditional Chinese medicine, including Wan, San, Gao, Dan, Jiu, Lu, Tang, and Ding. Taking Gao Fang should not be blindly followed, and it should be determined whether to take Gao Fang based on the evaluation of a professional physician.
The meaning of "Gao" is broad: it refers to substances with oil and fat as Gao; it refers to a form that is solidified but not solid as Gao; it refers to a taste that is sweet, ginger-flavored and smooth as Gao. The "Shan Hai Jing" once said, "All good tastes are smooth like Gao." It refers to the essence of things as a content, and to nourishing and moisturizing as a function. Gao Fang has two types, external application and internal administration. External application of Gao Fang is a commonly used dosage form in traditional Chinese medicine for external treatment. In addition to being used for skin, ulcers, and other diseases, it is also used in internal medicine and gynecology.
"Gao Fang is not just a simple tonic, but also includes the meaning of correcting deviations and curing diseases." Gao Fang has the function of tonifying deficiencies and correcting deviations, and has the effect of preventing the occurrence of diseases that have not yet occurred. For chronic diseases that have already occurred, it has the effect of preventing or reducing their recurrence, rather than treating the already occurring diseases.
Most chronic gastrointestinal diseases have the characteristics of alternating exacerbation and remission. Therefore, if the patient is currently in the exacerbation stage of the disease, it is not suitable to take Gao Fang; if the patient is currently in the remission stage of the disease, taking Gao Fang can prevent or reduce the recurrence of the disease. Patients should not have unrealistic ideas about treating diseases by taking Gao Fang.
Traditional Chinese medicine theory believes that the spleen and stomach are the foundation of acquired constitution. Most patients with chronic gastrointestinal diseases have weak spleen and stomach, such as feeling fullness after eating, loose stools or easy diarrhea, pale complexion, thinness, tooth marks on the tongue, etc. Therefore, the use of Gao Fang to regulate and nourish the spleen and stomach has positive significance for these patients.
Although Gao Fang has a good effect on regulating the spleen and stomach, it is not suitable for every patient with chronic gastrointestinal diseases. The prescription of Gao Fang should be evaluated based on the patient's needs and conditions. It should be emphasized that it is not suitable for patients whose diseases are in the active stage, or whose appetite is low, or whose bloating is obvious, or whose breath is heavy and turbid, or whose tongue coating is thick and greasy, etc. to blindly take Gao Fang. Otherwise, it will have the opposite effect and affect the digestive function of the spleen and stomach, causing or aggravating digestive disorders.
