Cool, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
Ge Gen 葛根
Radix Puerariae Pueraria, Kudzu Root
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Cool
- Nature & Flavour
- Sweet, Spicy, Cool
- Channels Entered
- SP, ST
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Radix Puerariae
- Chinese
- 葛根
- Tone Marks
- gé gēn
- Photo Note
- Ye Ge Gen (Peureria Lobata)
Chinese Herb Actions
- Releases the Muscles and Disperses Wind-Heat For external pathogens lodged in the muscles causing tightness and stiffness in upper back and neck, fever, and headache.
- Generates Fluids and Stops Thirst Used when stomach heat causes thirst, especially due to Wind-Heat invasion.
- Promotes the Expression of Measles
- Stops Diarrhea and Dysentery Can be used when diarrhea or dysentery occur due to heat. Also used for diarrhea occurring from Spleen deficiency if combined with other herbs.
- Reduces Symptoms of Hypertension Treats headache, dizziness, paresthesias, or tinnitus as a result of hypertension.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 6-12 grams.
- Part used: root.
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Caution in patients with excessive sweating, or stomach cold.
Chinese Herb Notes
- Roasting herb until it turns a yellow color will reduce its cooling action, (used this way for spleen deficiency)
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
https://amzn.to/42aMz73
https://amzn.to/3PuD4bt