Pueraria
root (Gegen)
Pharmaceutical Name : Radix Puerariae
Botanical Name: 1. Pueraria lobata (willd.)
Ohwi; 2. Pueraria thomsonii Benth.
Common Name : Pueraria root
Source of Earliest Record : Shennong Bencao
Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations : The roots are dug in spring
or autumn. They are cut into slices and dried
in the shade, or the slices are baked.
Properties & Taste : Pungent, sweet
and cool
Meridians : Spleen and stomach
Functions:
1. To release the exterior;
2. To bring measles rash to the surface;
3. To cause yang to ascend so as to alleviate
diarrhea;
4. To clear heat and promote production of
body fluids
Indications & Combinations:
1. Exterior syndrome due to invasion by exogenous
wind and cold manifested as stiffness of upper
back or neck, absence of sweating, aversion
to wind, fever and headache. Pueraria root
(Gegen) is used with Ephedra (Mahuang), Cinnamon
twigs (Guizhi) and White peony root (Baishao)
in the formula Gegen Tang.
2. Exterior syndrome due to invasion by exogenous
wind and heat manifested as headache, fever,
painful eyes and dry throat. Pueraria root
(Gegen) is used with Bupleurum root (Chaihu)
and Scutellaria root (Huangqin) in the formula
Chai Ge Jieji Tang.
3. Early stage of measles with incomplete
expression of the rash, fever and chills.
Pueraria root (Gegen) is used with Cimicifuga
rhizome (Shengma) in the formula Shengma Gegen
Tang.
4. Damp-heat dysentery. Pueraria root (Gegen)
is used with Coptis root (Huanglian) and Scutellaria
root (Huangqin) in the formula Gegen Huangqin
Huanglian Tang.
5. Diarrhea due to deficient spleen. Pueraria
root (Gegen) is used with Pilose asiabell
root (Dangshen), White atractylodes (Baizhu)
and Costus root (Muxiang) in the formula Qiwei
Baishu San.
6. Thirst in febrile diseases or diabetes.
Pueraria root (Gegen) is used with Ophiopogon
root (Maidong), Trichosanthes root (Tianhuafen)
and Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang).
Dosage: 10-20 g
Cautions & Contraindications:
To treat diarrhea, the herb is first baked. |
