Which herbs are added to Gui Zhi Tang to create Ge Gen Tang?

Which herbs are added to Gui Zhi Tang to create Ge Gen Tang?

• A. Ge Gen & Bai Shao
• B. Ge Gen & Ma Huang
• C. Gui Zhi & Ma Huang
• D. Sheng Jiang & Da Zao

Answer: (B)

Ge Gen Tang is Gui Zhi Tang with Ge Gen added. The distinctive change is bringing in Ge Gen (kudzu root) to extend the exterior-releasing action to the neck and upper back, which is where stiffness and pain from wind-cold often show up. The rest of the Gui Zhi Tang components—Gui Zhi, Bai Shao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao, and Zhi Gan Cao—remain to support the same release of the exterior and harmonization of the middle burner. Ma Huang is not a standard part of Ge Gen Tang, and Sheng Jiang and Da Zao are already present in Gui Zhi Tang, so the meaningful modification is the addition of Ge Gen.

Ge Gen Tang is Gui Zhi Tang with Ge Gen added. The distinctive change is bringing in Ge Gen (kudzu root) to extend the exterior-releasing action to the neck and upper back, which is where stiffness and pain from wind-cold often show up. The rest of the Gui Zhi Tang components—Gui Zhi, Bai Shao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao, and Zhi Gan Cao—remain to support the same release of the exterior and harmonization of the middle burner. Ma Huang is not a standard part of Ge Gen Tang, and Sheng Jiang and Da Zao are already present in Gui Zhi Tang, so the meaningful modification is the addition of Ge Gen.