GOU TENG SAN

Pacify Liver Wind & Calm Spasms • Pediatric & Neurological Harmony

Symptoms

Involuntary Movement: Tics, tremors, mild spasms, or twitching of the eyelids or limbs.

Pediatric Agitation: Night terrors, restlessness, or "fright" leading to convulsions (often following a high fever).

Wind-Damp Dizziness: A sensation that the "room is spinning" or a heavy, dizzy headache, often accompanied by a "veiled" or foggy feeling in the head.

Emotional Irritability: Sudden outbursts of anger or anxiety that trigger physical tension or tremors.

Key Indicator: "Internal Wind with Phlegm-Heat"—where the Liver "fire" creates Wind, and the Spleen "dampness" creates Phlegm, together obstructing the clear orifices of the head.

Tongue: Red body (Liver/Heart area) with a thin yellow or white greasy coating:

Pulse: Wiry (Xuan) and possibly Rapid (Shu).

Ingredients

Gou Teng (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis)

RW: 12g | GR: 12.1g

Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos)

RW: 9g | GR: 9.1g

Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba)

RW: 12g | GR: 12.1g

Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma)

RW: 6g | GR: 6.1g

Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma)

RW: 9g | GR: 9.1g

Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium)

RW: 6g | GR: 6.1g

Fu Ling (Poria)

RW: 12g | GR: 12.1g

Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix)

RW: 3g | GR: 3.1g

Description

Gou Teng San works by "extinguishing the Wind" and "settling the Earth." It addresses the TCM theory that "Wind moves because the Earth (Spleen) is soggy and the Wood (Liver) is dry/hot."

The Wind-Extinguisher (Gou Teng): This is the "Chief." It is light and clearing. It specifically enters the Liver channel to hook and pull down internal wind, calming the nervous system without being overly sedating.

The Cooling Pair (Ju Hua & Bai Shao): Ju Hua clears the "Fire" from the eyes and head, while Bai Shao "nourishes the Liver Blood" to soften the tendons. By moistening the Liver, it prevents the "dry friction" that creates wind.

The Phlegm-Clearing Trio (Ban Xia, Chen Pi, Fu Ling): These are essentially Er Chen Tang. They ensure that "Internal Dampness" doesn't condense into phlegm, which is the physical "fuel" that Wind uses to cause dizziness and spasms.

The Blood Mover (Chuan Xiong): Known as the "Qi medicine within the Blood," it ensures that as we calm the Wind, the Blood doesn't stagnate in the head, helping to relieve "Wind-Headaches."

Posology

Granules

3 to 9g daily, divided into 2 doses, taken with warm water.

Raw Plants

Decoct in 800ml of water. CRITICAL: Gou Teng should be added only in the last 10–15 minutes of boiling. Over-boiling destroys the active alkaloids (rhynchophylline) responsible for its sedative and blood-pressure-lowering effects.

Cautions

Not indicated for Wind caused by pure deficiency (e.g., tremors in the very elderly with pale tongues and no heat). Use with caution in patients with very weak digestion, as the cooling nature of Gou Teng and Ju Hua can occasionally slow down the Spleen. Discontinue once the tremors or acute restlessness have resolved.