Ge Gen Tang — Kudzu Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

What is Ge Gen Tang?

Ge Gen Tang — Kudzu Decoction — is a classical Shang Han Lun formula by Zhang Zhongjing for wind-cold invasion that has lodged in the Tai Yang channel and produced stiffness of the neck and upper back. It is one of the most widely used formulas in Chinese herbal medicine for the kind of cervical and shoulder stiffness that accompanies a cold or develops after exposure to cold and damp.

I prescribe Ge Gen Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

Ge Gen Tang TCM pattern

Prescribed for Tai Yang exterior wind-cold with channel obstruction: chills, mild fever, no sweating, marked stiffness and aching across the back of the neck and upper back, occipital headache, a thin white tongue coat and a floating tight pulse.

Key herbs

1. Ge Gen — chief herb; releases the muscle layer, eases the neck and upper back
2. Ma Huang — promotes sweating and releases the exterior
3. Gui Zhi — warms the channels and assists the exterior-release
4. Bai Shao — nourishes the Yin and relaxes the sinews
5. Sheng Jiang, Da Zao, Zhi Gan Cao — harmonise the formula and protect the middle

Formula actions

1. Releases the exterior and disperses Wind-Cold
2. Eases the muscle layer and relaxes stiffness of the neck and upper back
3. Generates fluids to relieve thirst in early-stage exterior cold

Conditions treated

1. Wind-cold colds with prominent neck and upper-back stiffness
2. Acute cervical and trapezius strain from cold exposure or draughts
3. Early-stage upper-back pain from wind-cold
4. Stiff neck on waking with chills
5. Modern Japanese clinical literature also uses Ge Gen Tang for tension headache, early sinusitis and selected presentations of facial palsy

Cautions

Contraindicated in Yin deficiency, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, hyperthyroidism and pregnancy (Ma Huang content). Not for spontaneous sweating or interior-heat patterns. Discontinue once stiffness and chills resolve.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available.

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