What are the effects, functions, and indications of Pueraria root (Ge Gen)?
May 28, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the main functions of Pueraria root (Ge Gen) include relieving muscle tension and reducing fever, promoting saliva production to alleviate thirst, improving cardiovascular function, relieving hypertension, and providing antioxidant effects. It is primarily used to treat conditions such as fever due to exogenous pathogenic factors, stiffness and pain in the neck and back, diabetes (Xiao Ke Zheng), headache, dizziness, and hypertension. Pueraria root contains flavonoid components, which can disperse pathogenic factors on the body surface and alleviate symptoms such as fever and absence of perspiration caused by exogenous surface syndromes.
Under normal circumstances, the main effects of Pueraria root (Gegen) include relieving muscle tension and reducing fever, promoting saliva production to alleviate thirst, improving cardiovascular function, alleviating hypertension, and antioxidant effects. It is primarily used to treat conditions such as exogenous fever, stiff and painful neck and back, diabetes-related excessive thirst (Xiao Ke Zheng), headache and dizziness, and hypertension. Detailed analysis is as follows:
I. Therapeutic Effects
1. Relieve Muscle Tension and Reduce Fever: Pueraria root contains flavonoid components that can disperse pathogenic factors on the body surface and alleviate symptoms such as fever and absence of perspiration caused by exogenous surface syndromes, particularly effective during the early stages of wind-cold or wind-heat.
2. Promote Saliva Production and Alleviate Thirst: Puerarin promotes salivary gland secretion, improves symptoms of excessive thirst and increased appetite associated with diabetes (Xiao Ke), and serves as an adjunctive treatment for thirst caused by early-stage diabetes or heat-related illnesses with fluid depletion.
3. Improve Cardiovascular Function: Pueraria extract dilates the coronary arteries, increases blood supply to the myocardium, reduces the risk of myocardial ischemia, and is used as an adjunctive treatment for angina, chest tightness, and atherosclerosis.
4. Alleviate Hypertension: Isoflavonoids inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme, relax vascular smooth muscles, help lower systolic blood pressure, and are suitable for mild hypertension or blood pressure fluctuations caused by emotional disturbances.
5. Antioxidant: Pueraria polyphenols scavenge free radicals, delay cellular oxidative damage, reduce the release of inflammatory factors, and offer certain preventive benefits against atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases.
II. Main Indications
1. Exogenous Fever: For exogenous surface syndromes such as wind-cold or wind-heat, Pueraria root is combined with Ephedra (Mahuang) and Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) to dispel wind-cold, or with Honeysuckle Flower (Yinhua) and Forsythia (Lianqiao) to clear heat and resolve exterior syndromes.
2. Stiff and Painful Neck: Pueraria root can relieve neck muscle spasms and is often used together with Notopterygium (Qianghuo) and Dehuo (Duhuo) to treat stiffness and pain caused by a stiff neck or cervical spondylosis.
3. Diabetes (Xiao Ke): For diabetes caused by yin deficiency and internal heat, Pueraria root synergizes with Trichosanthes Root (Tianhuafen) and Ophiopogon (Maicongdong) to improve symptoms of polydipsia and frequent urination, as well as blood sugar fluctuations.
4. Headache and Dizziness: Pueraria root improves cerebral blood supply and is used in combination with Gastrodia (Tianma) and Uncaria (Gouteng) to relieve headache and dizziness caused by hypertension or cervical spondylosis.
5. Hypertension: Combined with Hawthorn (Shanzha) and Cassia Seed (Juemingzi), Pueraria root helps regulate blood lipids, reduce vascular resistance, and is suitable for comprehensive management of early-stage hypertension accompanied by atherosclerosis.
When using Pueraria root, appropriate dosages should be selected according to individual health conditions, and excessive consumption should be avoided. If you have chronic diseases or are currently taking medications, it is recommended to consult a physician to ensure safety and appropriateness.
