Harmonizing herbs

Besides directly tonifying the Spleen-Qi, the moderate nature of Zhi Gan Cao is often used in formulas to reduce the side effect of harsh herbs, such as herbs that stimulate the Qi or remove food or phlegm. It turns a quick action of herbs into a steady and constant action. It is also used to harmonize herbs that move in different directions and work on different levels. The dosage of Zhi Gan Cao should be low in cases of dampness accumulation as its sweet property has the tendency to retain dampness. 

In treating chronic diseases, or after intensive treatment for acute disorders lasting 1-4 weeks, the herbs in a formula should be prescribed at lower dosages. Herbs that tonify or harmonize the functions of the internal organs should be added. 

Envoy Harmonize and integrate the functions of herbs in the formula... 

Generally speaking, it is not necessary to add an envoy in a formula to expel wind-cold because the chief herb often serves as the guide and enters the superficial region of the body. Herbs with a harmonizing function, such as Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae radix preparata), may slow down the dispersing function and reduce the therapeutic effect of the formula. 

Zhi Gan Gao serves as envoy it harmonizes and integrates the functions of herbs that work in different directions and at different levels in the formula. 

Zhi Gan Cao is used as envoy in a formula to harmonize the functions of herbs and moderate their properties. When it is used with cold herbs, the Yin and body fluids can be generated and stabilized more easily. 

Gan Cao is used as assistant to tonify the Middle-Jiao and to protect the Stomach from the harsh herbs. It is also used as envoy to harmonize the herbs in this formula. 

Zhi Gan Cao can harmonize the functions and nature of the herbs in the formula and is also used as envoy. 

Zhi Gan Cao is sweet and primarily enters the Spleen meridian. In a formula to reduce heat, it is used to protect the Stomach from heat and from cold herbs. It is also used to harmonize the functions of herbs in a formula. 

Chai Hu is used as corrective assistant as well as envoy. It can disperse and spread the constraint of Liver-Qi, which is suppressed by the powerful draining herbs. On the other hand, it slightly disperses the heat, thus preventing the development of constrained heat which is often formed in the process of clearing heat. As envoy it harmonizes the herbs entering the liver and Gall Bladder meridians. 

Sheng Gan Cao is able to reduce heat-toxin and can also harmonize the herbs in the formula. 

Sheng Ma also serves as envoy to harmonize the herbs in the formula that enter the Stomach meridian. 

Zhi Gan Cao is sweet and can harmonize the function of herbs in a formula. However, it should not be used if there is excessive phlegm in the Lung because sweetness may easily keep hold of the phlegm. 

Zhi Gan Cao, as in the other conditions of internal heat syndrome, can be used in the formula to harmonize and moderate the functions of herbs and to protect the Stomach. However, in a damp-heat syndrome of the Lower-Jiao, Zhi Gan Cao - which has a tendency to retain dampness because of its sweet nature - should be used with caution. 

Zhi Gan Cao is sweet in nature and enters the Spleen meridian. It can harmonize the herbs that warm the interior in a formula. It can also reduce the side effect of harsh herbs and protect the Stomach. Sheng Jiang and Da Zao are used together to tonify the Middle-Jiao and promote digestion, as well as protect the Stomach from the pungent and hot herbs. 

Zhi Gan Cao serves as assistant as well as envoy. It is able to tonify the Spleen, and harmonize and moderate the actions of the herbs in this formula. 

Envoy Harmonize the herbs in the whole formula in the aspects of temperature, taste, working directions and levels, and characteristics... 

Zhi Gan Cao is sweet, and can tonify the Spleen-Qi as well as harmonize and integrate the herbs in the formula. Thus it serves as both assistant and envoy. 

Gan Cao enters the 12 meridians, and its sweet taste gives this herb tonifying, modifying and harmonizing abilities. It is able to tonify and moisten... 

Zhi Gan Cao is sweet and slightly warm, which are the principal properties of herbs that can tonify the Qi. It enters all the ordinary meridians, can tonify the Qi, moderate the speed of Qi and blood, and harmonize the functions of the internal organs. It is particularly selected in the formula with a large dosage as chief to calm the mind and relieve the palpitations and restlessness caused by Heart-Qi deficiency. 

They can harmonize the Middle-Jiao and promote digestion so as to strengthen the tonifying function of the chief herbs. 

Zhi Gan Cao is often used as an assistant in the formula. It moderates and harmonizes the tonifying herbs in the formula, moderates the Liver-Qi movement and reduces its speed. At the same time, it can... 

Zhi Gan Cao is the most commonly used envoy in formulas that tonify the Liver-blood. Its moderate temperament harmonizes the functions of the herbs in the formula, and moderates the Liver-Qi movement and blood circulation. 

Zhi Gan Cao is sweet and slightly warm, and enters all the regular meridians. It is selected in the formula to tonify the Heart-blood because it can tonify the Spleen-Qi and therefore generate the blood. It can also tonify the Heart-Qi, moderate the speed of Qi movement and blood circulation, and harmonize the function of the Heart. The function of Zhi Gan Cao can enhance the ability of the herbs that tonify the Heart-blood. At the same time, this herb can effectively relieve anxiety, palpitations and restlessness. 

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