Introduction: Gān Mài Dà Zǎo Decoction uses wheat to nourish heart blood and calm the spirit, while licorice and jujube sweetly moisten and tonify the middle, relieving urgency. Although the formula contains only three herbs and appears simple, it can often cure major diseases in clinical practice, even difficult and complicated conditions.

Applying Gān Mài Dà Zǎo Decoction in Treating Gynecological Diseases

Wang Jinliang

Reading the "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber: Pulse Patterns, Syndromes, and Treatment of Miscellaneous Women's Diseases," it states: "For women with visceral agitation, who are prone to sadness and crying, as if possessed by spirits, and frequently yawn and stretch, the Sweet Wheat and Jujube Decoction is indicated." From this, it can be understood that the pathology of visceral agitation is "qi stagnation transforming into fire, with insufficiency of visceral yin." The "Inner Canon" states: "The liver suffers from urgency; urgently consume sweet substances to relax it." The "Classic of Difficult Issues" further states: "To treat damage to the liver, supplement the middle."

The Sweet Wheat and Jujube Decoction uses wheat to nourish heart blood and calm the spirit, while licorice and jujube, being sweet and moistening, supplement the middle and relieve urgency. Although the formula consists of only three herbs and appears simple, it often achieves remarkable results in clinical practice, even for severe or difficult-to-treat conditions. Many physicians emphasize that its therapeutic power should not be underestimated. Having assisted my father in clinical practice for many years, I have frequently observed his use of the Sweet Wheat and Jujube Decoction in treating gynecological diseases, often with significant efficacy.

Irregular Menstruation

Ms. Li, 29 years old, presents with early menstruation, scanty and pale menstrual flow, emaciation, and night sweats. She has been unable to conceive for 5 years after marriage. She experiences frequent irritability and insomnia.

During examination: The tongue is red with patchy peeling of the coating, and the pulse is deep, thin, and on the verge of disappearing. Previous physicians extensively used formulas such as Siwu Tang and Liangdi Tang, but the effects were not significant. My father administered Gammai Dazao Tang, appropriately adding Taizishen, Maidong, Xuanshen, Shengdi, and other herbs to tonify qi, nourish blood, enrich yin, and clear heat. After taking more than 30 doses of the medication, her menstruation gradually normalized, and she later gave birth to a baby girl.

Premenstrual Tension Syndrome

Ms. Sun, 31 years old. The patient usually experiences low spirits, excessive sweating, poor appetite, and little sleep. She suffers from headaches, breast distension, and irritability before each menstrual period, with unsmooth menstrual flow accompanied by dysmenorrhea. Many physicians attributed this to liver depression transforming into fire. Prescriptions such as Danzhi Xiaoyao San and Chaihu Shugan San were administered but were difficult to achieve effective results.

My father believed that the fundamental issue in this patient was insufficiency of the heart and spleen, and that regulating menstruation would naturally follow by calming and nourishing the heart and spirit. He prescribed a formula based on Gan Mai Dazao Tang (Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction) with the addition of Radix Adenophorae, Radix Polygoni Multiflori, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, stir-fried Radix Paeoniae Alba, and Rhizoma Cyperi. After taking more than ten doses, her menstruation arrived without any issues.

Headache During Pregnancy

Patient Wang, female, aged 28, began experiencing headaches, dizziness, and even nausea, vomiting, irritability, and restless sleep about one month into her third month of pregnancy. Although she had taken medication, the effects were consistently unsatisfactory. Furthermore, the patient was concerned that medication might harm the fetus, and during severe episodes, she feared miscarriage, leaving her in a constant state of anxiety.

Observation revealed an obese body type, a pale tongue with thin, yellowish coating, and a fine, weak pulse. My father believed that during pregnancy, blood concentrates to nourish the fetus, leading to insufficiency of qi and blood and an excess of fire qi. He prescribed a combination of Gan Mai Dazao Tang (Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction) and Wendan Tang (Gallbladder-Warming Decoction) for regulation and treatment. After taking a total of five doses, the headaches ceased, and she successfully delivered a baby girl.

Postpartum Sweating

The patient, Mrs. Zhao, 29 years old, was one week postpartum. She experienced profuse sweating, which worsened with activity. Sweating was particularly pronounced after meals. She also suffered from restless sleep, irritability, easy fright, lower abdominal discomfort, and heavy lochia with occasional passage of clots. The patient sought consultation from my father.

My father observed that her tongue was red with scant coating, and her pulse was thready and rapid. He understood that postpartum injury to yin and blood had left the qi with nothing to rely on, hence the incessant sweating. Furthermore, being newly postpartum, treatment should focus on dispelling stasis and promoting regeneration to facilitate uterine recovery. He prescribed a formula combining Gan Mai Da Zao Tang (Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction) with Sheng Hua Tang (Generation and Transformation Decoction). After taking five doses, all symptoms were resolved.

Years of assisting my father in his practice and observing his clinical application of Gan Mai Da Zao Tang broadened my perspective. Regarding summarizing the clinical applications of Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, many esteemed physicians of the past have discussed it. For instance, some held that "This formula can be used for any patient with weak spleen and stomach, deficiency of fluids, yin, and blood, who cannot tolerate strong medicinals." Others noted, "If signs of yin deficiency with hyperactivity of liver fire are seen, such as facial flushing, bodily sweating, palpitations, headaches, dry mouth, etc., modifying Gan Mai Da Zao Tang yields rapid results. It should not be overlooked simply because it contains fruit-based ingredients."

It is evident that the clinical application of this formula has long extended beyond the scope of "miscellaneous women's diseases." The formula is fragrant, sweet, and palatable, making it well-liked by patients. After taking it, there is a pleasant and comfortable sensation, with no side effects whatsoever. It is particularly suitable for individuals with stubborn temperaments, strong likes and dislikes, and those who are extremely reluctant to take medication. It remains a simple and effective formula with considerable clinical practical value.