Ge Gen - Lab Tested, 1lb

Ge Gen , also known as Kudzu (Radix Puerariae), is a Chinese medicinal herb in the category of herbs that release the exterior, specifically cool, acrid herbs that release the exterior (Wind-Heat Diaphoretics). It is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for discharging Exterior conditions, releasing the muscles, relieving Heat, generating fluids, venting measles, and raising Spleen Yang to stop diarrhea.

TCM Formula Profile

Temperature: Cool
Taste: Sweet, Acrid
Channels Entered: Spleen, Stomach

Primary Functions

• Discharges Exterior conditions and releases the muscles, especially of the neck and upper back
• Relieves Heat and generates fluids (relieves thirst)
• Vents and discharges measles
• Raises Spleen Yang and stops diarrhea
• Alleviates symptoms of hypertension

Indications

Ge Gen is traditionally used for:

• Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold lodged in the muscles of the upper back and neck
• Thirst due to Stomach Heat or Wind-Heat or Wasting and Thirsting
• Measles with incomplete expression of the rash
• Diarrhea or dysentery due to Heat
• Diarrhea due to Spleen Deficiency (with appropriate herbs)
• Hypertension symptoms such as headache, dizziness, tinnitus or paresthesia

Clinical Notes

This herb is dual acting, it relieves surface ailments that involve flushing up (shoulder/neck tension, headache, sinus congestion etc.) and is valuable for gastrointestinal problems e.g. diarrhea. It is very starchy and is widely used as a starch in Japan.

The flowers which Ge Gen Hua are sweet and neutral treat alcoholic poisoning (hangover), thirst, hemorrhoidal bleeding, dysentery and intestinal gas with Rx. Codonopsis (Dang Shen), Fr. Amomi (Bai Dou Kou) and Per. Citri Reticulatae (Chen Pi) in a dosage of 3-12 gm. The vine treats coughs and general weakness.

Recent studies show that Ge Gen has restorative and relaxant actions on coronary and cardiac functions and treats very successfully problems such as angina, hypertension and migraine. Pueraria leaf treats bleeding wounds and snakebite.

It raises the Clear Yang Qi of the Yang Ming. Some sources say that this herb relieves sinus congestions and counteracts toxins. This herb is said to treat people who get tired easily, can't lose weight and have trouble standing in one place for long.

Herb Comparisons

Both Ge Gen and Rx. Trichosanthis (Tian Hua Fen) treat wasting and thirsting disorder. Ge Gen lifts the Yin while Tian Hua Fen moistens the Lung and Stomach expels Lung and Stomach Heat. Ge Gen raises the Stomach Yang fluids to nourish the Lungs, disperses exterior pathogens and releases the muscle layer. It treats fever through is acrid dispersal of Heat while Tian Hua Fen treats fever through its cold nature by cooling it. Ge Gen alleviates thirst by drawing on Stomach Yang fluids to provide nourishment and thus may exhaust Stomach fluids while Tian Hua Fen generates fluids. If there is diarrhea, Ge Gen can lift the Yin fluids to stop it.

Both Ge Gen and Rx. Ephedrae (Ma Huang) lightly lift, disperse and drive out Excess, but the channels they enter are completely different. Ge Gen is a Yang Ming channel herb and also enters the Spleen which governs the muscles and flesh while Ma Huang is a Tai Yang channel herb and enters the Lungs which govern the skin and hair.

Preparation Forms

Unprepared Kudzu (Sheng Ge Gen) or Dried Kudzu (Gan Gen Gen): Used to release the muscle layer, raise fluids, alleviate thirst and vent rashes.

Roasted Kudzu (Wei Gen Gen): Has a reduced cooling, dispersing nature to specifically raise and bring out the clear Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. it has stronger harmonizing diarrhea relieving actions. it is appropriate for diarrhea due to Spleen Deficiency.

Kudzu Starch (Ge Fen): Very cold and is stronger at generating fluids and relieving thirst and is more effective at cooling Heat and relieving irritability to treat stifling Heat in the chest with thirst, irritability and restlessness.

Flos Puerariae (Ge Hua): Sweet, neutral and enters the Stomach channel. it relieves hangovers, awakens the Spleen and is used to treat headaches, fever, irritability, thirst, a feeling of fullness and bloating in the chest and diaphragm and vomiting from excessive use of alcohol. it is usually combined with Rx. Ginseng (Ren Shen), Fr. Amomi Rotundus (Bai Dou Kou) and Per. Citri Reticulatae (Chen Pi), with a dosage of 3-12g. It also treats hemorrhoidal bleeding.

Kudzu Leaf (Ge Gen Ye): Treats bleeding wounds and snakebites at a dosage of 15-60g.

Herb/Drug Interactions

Use with caution in conjunction with antidiabetics such as insulin, tolbutamide (Orinase), glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (DiaBeta/Micronase) as there may be a synergistic effect.

Use with caution in conjunction with anticoagulants such as heparin, warfarin (Coumadin) and exoparin (Lovenox) and antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine) and clopidogrel (Plavix) as there may be a synergistic effect.