Ge Gen
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Ge Gen in TCM:

Explore the properties of Ge Gen according to Chinese
Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):


Factoids:

English Name: pueraria root, kudzu, lobed kudzuvine
Pharmacuetical Name: Radix Puerariae
Properties: sweet, acrid, cool


Temperature: cool

Channels: ST, SP

Flavors: sweet, pungent

Special Properties:
clears heat, disperses wind


    Alternative Forms:
  • Ge Hua (Flos Pueraria lobata) - sweet, cool; ST; relieves alcoholic poisoning; 3-12g

Actions / Indications:
  • Releases muscles; reduces fever (exterior disorder lodged in muscle layer with fever, chills, headache, stiff or tight upper back and neck)
  • Nourishes the fluid; alleviates thirst (thirst due to febrile diseases, yin deficiency xiao ke)
  • Vents measles (early stage incomplete expression of measles)
  • Lifts SP yang; alleviates diarrhea (weakly lifts SP yang, diarrhea due to heat; diarrhea due to SP deficiency - combine with other herbs)

    Special Notes:
  • For incomplete expression of measles combine Ge Gen with Sheng Ma, Bai Shao, and Gan Cao
  • A comparison of Ge Gen, Chai Hu, and Sheng Ma reveals that Ge Gen is weakest to lift SP yang while Sheng Ma is strongest to lift SP yang.
  • Considered the best herb for acute neck and shoulder injury
  • Modern use for treatment of hypertension and to lower blood glucose
  • Grows wild throughout the USA
  • Eaten in Japan for abdominal problems, dries up diarrhea, colds

Contraindications:
  • (cc: careful with yang deficient diarrhea)