GAN MAI DA ZAO WAN (BP054) Wheat & Jujube Combination Complex

Indication

This formula was first recorded in the ‘Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet’ (jin gui yao lue fang lun) by Zhang Zhong-jing (circa 150 – 219 CE). This work is the earliest surviving record that details the diagnosis and treatment of miscellaneous diseases of internal medicine, as well as some surgical diseases and gynecological disorders, according to the Eight Principles.

The original formula consisted of three herbs, after which it was named, Gan = gan cao (Glycyrrhiza root), Mai = fu xiao mai (Triticum seed), Da Zao = da zao (Zyzyphus fruit), Tang = decoction. It was originally used for ‘restless organ’ (zang zao) disorder, which was classified under the heading of gynecological disorders.

There has been considerable divergence of opinion over the centuries regarding whether the diagnosis of ‘restless organ’ referred specifically to the uterus, the Heart or indeed all of the Zang organs. However, because the formula is effective for men as well as women and also because this variant of has been modified with the addition of five extra herbs, this issue need not be of concern: the modified formula has been specifically directed towards tonifying the Heart and stabilising the mind. It is therefore suitable for a range of mental and emotional problems with the principal feature of overwhelming or uncontrollable emotional responses.

The synergistic actions of the herbs are as follows:

Triticum seed (fu xiao mai), Ziziphus spinosa, seed (suan zao ren), Ziziphus jujuba, fruit (da zao), Glycyrrhiza uralensis, root (zhi gan cao): tonify the Heart Qi and calm the Spirit.

Triticum seed (fu xiao mai), Ziziphus spinosa, seed (suan zao ren): nourish the Heart and Liver Blood to calm the Spirit.

Ziziphus spinosa, seed (suan zao ren), Albizia julibrissin, stem bark (he huan pi): nourish the Heart Yin to calm the Spirit.

Chrysanthemum flower (ju hua): subdues Yang hyperactivity to allay excitement.

Albizia julibrissin, stem bark (he huan pi): regulates the Qi and soothes the Liver to calm the Spirit and alleviate the effects of pent up emotions.

Polygala sibirica, root (yuan zhi): Acts as envoy to direct the action of the formula to the Heart and calm the Spirit, disseminate the Heart Qi and Yang to open up the mind and senses.

Signs & Symptoms:

Depression

Insomnia

Anxiety

Emotional volatility

Mood disorders

Neurasthenia

Neurosis

Combinations –

Hyperhydrosis:

YU PING FENG SAN

ZHI YIN GAN LU YIN

Insomnia, severe:

AN SHEN DING ZHI WAN

JIN GUI SUAN ZAO REN TANG

Menopausal syndrome, emotional disorder:

ZHI BAI BA WEI WAN

ZUO GUI WAN

ER XIAN TANG

Nervousness, anxiety:

WEN DAN TANG

Stress related emotional disorder:

JIA WEI XIAO YAO SAN

XIAO YAO SAN

TCM Syndromes: Heart Blood deficiency, Heart Qi deficiency, Heart Yin deficiency.

TCM Actions: Tonifies the Heart Qi, nourishes the Heart Blood and Yin, calms the Spirit and stabilises the emotions.