Can Gancao Ganjiang Tang be used for COVID-19?
Dec 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Gancao Ganjiang Tang has the effects of warming the middle burner, dispelling cold, strengthening qi, and harmonizing the stomach. For patients with COVID-19 who present cold symptoms such as aversion to cold, clear nasal discharge, and diarrhea without obvious signs of heat, it may be used as an adjunctive therapy to help alleviate discomfort. However, in severe cases of COVID-19 or in patients presenting with heat symptoms such as high fever, sore throat, and cough with yellow phlegm, its use may exacerbate symptoms.
Generally, Gancao Ganjiang Tang can be used as an adjunctive therapy for specific syndromes of COVID-19, but it is not suitable for cases with mismatched syndrome patterns or severe illness. If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional in advance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Gancao Ganjiang Tang has the effects of warming the middle burner, dispelling cold, strengthening qi, and harmonizing the stomach. For patients with COVID-19 who present symptoms such as aversion to cold, clear nasal discharge, and diarrhea—indicative of cold syndrome without obvious signs of heat—it may serve as an adjunctive调理 method to help alleviate discomfort.
However, for patients with severe COVID-19 or those exhibiting heat syndrome symptoms such as high fever, sore throat, and cough with yellow phlegm, using this formula may worsen their condition. This prescription can only relieve certain symptoms and cannot replace core treatments such as antiviral therapy; it should not be relied upon alone.
The use of Gancao Ganjiang Tang must be based on proper syndrome differentiation according to symptoms, avoiding blind consumption. If symptoms persistently worsen or are accompanied by difficulty breathing or similar conditions, timely medical attention and standardized treatment are required, and medication should be taken strictly under the guidance of qualified physicians.
