Original formula of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang contains 9g of Gui Zhi, 12g of Poria, 6g of Roasted Licorice and 9g of Atractylodes Macrocephalae.
The original formula of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is from “The Essentials of the Golden Chamber”. The function of this formula is to warm yang and eliminate phlegm (warming yang qi in the body to promote the metabolism of water and liquid), strengthening the spleen and inducing diuresis. It is used to treat phlegm-drinking (a pathological product of impaired metabolism of water and fluid) with deficiency of yang in the middle Jiao, which is characterized by fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, palpitation and dizziness, shortness of breath, cough, etc. The formula includes Fu Ling, which strengthens the spleen and induces diuresis.
In this formula, Poria strengthens the spleen, induces diuresis and seepage of dampness (promotes the flow of water to dispel dampness); Gui Zhi warms yang and transforms qi (warms and passes the yang qi in the body); Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae strengthens the spleen and dries dampness; Radix Glycyrrhiza Glabra tonifies the middle and benefits the qi (treats qi deficiency by tonifying the spleen), and harmonizes the various medicines (harmonizes the properties of different traditional Chinese medicines).
The combination of the four herbs can warm the Yang and eliminate fluid, strengthen the Spleen and promote diuresis.
The adverse effects and contraindications of Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang are not known. Before taking this formula, it should be diagnosed by a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and used under the guidance of a doctor.