Is the fever-reducing effect of Gegen Tang significant?
Dec 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Generally, the fever-reducing effect of Gegen Tang varies from person to person and is only effective for specific types of fever. It is not a universal antipyretic and must be used strictly according to the appropriate indications; blind consumption should be avoided. In daily life, one should rationally view the antipyretic effects of traditional Chinese medicine, follow the principle of using medicine according to symptoms, and at the same time cultivate good living and hygiene habits, which better promotes overall health.
Generally, the fever-reducing effect of Gegen Tang varies from person to person. It is effective only for specific types of fever and is not a universal antipyretic. It must be used strictly according to the appropriate indications and should not be taken blindly. A detailed analysis is as follows:
Gegen Tang is a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, with main ingredients including Pueraria root (Gegen), Ephedra (Mahuang), Cinnamon twig (Guizhi), and Ginger (Shengjiang). Its primary functions are promoting sweating to relieve exterior symptoms and enhancing fluid circulation to relax muscles. It is suitable only for fevers caused by wind-cold type colds, commonly accompanied by symptoms such as chills, absence of sweating, headache, and body aches. For other types of fever—such as those due to wind-heat感冒, viral infections, or bacterial infections—Gegen Tang has very limited effectiveness in reducing fever and may even delay recovery. Individuals with weak spleen and stomach function may experience discomforts such as abdominal bloating or diarrhea after taking it. When experiencing fever, it is essential to first identify the underlying cause and the corresponding TCM syndrome pattern, and determine whether Gegen Tang is appropriate under professional guidance.
In daily life, one should rationally view the antipyretic effects of traditional Chinese medicine, follow the principle of using medicine according to the specific condition, and cultivate healthy living and hygiene habits to better maintain overall health.
