Gansong is also calledFragrant SpikenardIt is the rhizome and root of the plant Nardostachys jatamansi from the Valerianaceae family. It is mainly produced in Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai, and other regions. It can be harvested in both spring and autumn, with autumn harvest being preferable. It is often cut into segments for medicinal use.
I. The Efficacy of Gansong:
Gansong has a pungent and sweet taste, and is warm in nature. It belongs to the spleen and stomach meridians. Its effects includePromoting Qi Flow to Relieve Pain, Alleviating Depression and Invigorating the SpleenIts characteristic is to effectively regulate emotional distress and loss of appetite. It is known as the essential medicine for spleen and stomach disorders.
Commonly used forAbdominal distension and fullness, poor appetite, vomiting, wind paralysis and flaccidityIt is used for the treatment of conditions such as these. Externally, it can also be applied to treat toothache and beriberi with swelling and toxicity.
Summary of Famous Works by Renowned Authors:
"Ben Jing": "It treats sudden fever, fire sores, red qi, scabies, and abscesses."
Bie Lu: "It eliminates edema, heat accumulation, wind impediment, and deficiency."
Rihuazi's Materia Medica: "Treats blood and qi, heart and abdominal pain, abdominal masses, bleeding from the nose due to blood movement, vomiting blood, red and white vaginal discharge, red eyes with obstruction, erysipelas, expels pus and repairs fistulas."
"Kai Bao Ben Cao": "It primarily treats foul qi, sudden heart and abdominal pain with fullness, and directs qi downward."
Ben Cao Bei Yao: Regulates various qi, opens spleen depression. Treats sudden abdominal fullness and pain.
II. Compatibility and Application of Nardostachys:
1. For symptoms such as chest tightness, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, and epigastric pain caused by overthinking impairing the spleen or cold stagnation and qi stagnation. Gansong is warm but not hot, sweet but not stagnant, fragrant but not drying. It can soothe and regulate qi movement, and has the effects of relieving depression, awakening the spleen, promoting qi circulation, and alleviating pain. It is an essential herb for awakening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach. In the "Ju Fang," there isBig Seven Fragrance Pill, Small Seven Fragrance Pill, Big Aquilaria Pill, Costus Cake, Costus Qi-Dispersing PillIn various prescriptions, it is used for its effects of warming the middle, promoting movement, invigorating the spleen, and stimulating the appetite.
Li Shizhen said: "Gansong is fragrant and aromatic, capable of relieving spleen depression. Adding a small amount to spleen and stomach medicines can greatly invigorate the spleen qi."
Zhu Liangchun treats qi stagnation stomach pain, chest fullness and abdominal distension, poor appetite, wiry and thin pulse, white and greasy tongue coating, often using Gan Song combined with Xiang Fu, Chen Pi, Xiang Yuan, Mai Ya, Zi Su Geng, Jiao Shan Zha, Da Fu Pi, Sheng Jiang and other herbs, achieving quick results, which can be used as a reference.
2. For hemiplegia and flaccidity. Gansong, with its fragrant qi that can unblock, is adept at regulating the functions of the brain nerves, thus it can be used for conditions of wind paralysis and flaccidity, with Zhang Xichun's experience being the most valuable to learn. For treating hemiplegia, it is often combined with raw Astragalus, Angelica, Trichosanthes root, raw Frankincense, raw Myrrh, etc., namelyBu Pian Tang。
Zhang Xichun said, "Gansong has a fragrant aroma that can promote circulation, so it is good at assisting the excitement of the heart. Its sour taste can astringe, so it is effective in controlling the erratic activities of the brain. Its nature is good at resolving stagnation and activating blood circulation, so it can relieve pain and eliminate masses, and is effective in treating all blood disorders, as well as wind paralysis and atrophy. Moreover, it can assist the heart in regulating the brain, making it a particularly important medicine for paralysis and atrophy."
3. For cold-damp beriberi with edema. Gansong is warm in nature and dispersing, and when used externally for washing, it is good at drying dampness and drawing out toxins. For treating damp beriberi, it is often combined with lotus leaf and Ligusticum sinense, decocted in water for washing the feet.Gansong Decoction。
Wang Ang said: "For swelling and qi in the feet and knees, decoct and use as a wash."
In addition, Zhu Liangchun often adds Nardostachys jatamansi in formulas for relieving depression and calming the mind, which has the effect of regulating emotions. It is commonly combined with turmeric root, salvia miltiorrhiza, silk tree bark, wheat, fleeceflower stem, and licorice, among other herbs that nourish the heart and calm the mind, as well as soothe the liver and regulate qi, achieving significant therapeutic effects.
III. Usage and Dosage of Spikenard:
Gansong is often used in decoctions, can also be made into pills or powders, and is suitable for external use. The usual dosage in decoctions ranges from a few grams to over ten grams; for external use, apply an appropriate amount.
Wang Ang said: It is produced in Liangzhou, Qian, and Shu. The leaves are like those of cogongrass. The roots are extremely dense and numerous, and the roots are used.
IV. Application Notes of Nardostachys:
Gansong is pungent and warm in nature, dispersing and moving easily, which can easily damage the yin aspect, thereforePatients with qi deficiency and blood heat should avoid taking it。
It contains a high amount of volatile oil, so it should not be decocted for too long in decoctions; adding it later is preferable.
