As the saying goes: “In autumn and winter, nourish Yin, and Gao Fang is the choice.” Gao Fang is a traditional health-preserving method unique to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which not only draws from the strengths of folk medicine but also integrates the wisdom of renowned physicians throughout history.
Helping you with autumn and winter health preservation
What is Gao Fang?
Gao Fang, also known as Gao Ji, is named after its form and belongs to one of the eight types of medicinal preparations: pills, powders, pastes, elixirs, wines, tinctures, soups, and tablets. Gao Fang is formulated based on large compound decoctions, adhering to the principles of monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy, and is established according to the different constitutions and clinical manifestations of individuals, resulting in a thick semi-liquid or gelatinous preparation after being decocted and concentrated with certain adjuncts.
With a long history in TCM, Gao Fang is generally made from multiple herbal ingredients through a complex process, providing excellent nourishing effects. Its convenience and effectiveness have made it popular among the public.
The Functions of Gao Fang
Replenishing Deficiency and Supporting Weakness: For those with insufficient Qi and blood, organ deficiency, weak constitution, or symptoms of weakness during recovery from surgery, childbirth, or severe chronic diseases, Gao Fang can effectively promote recovery and enhance physical strength, improving quality of life.
Anti-Aging and Longevity: Elderly individuals experiencing Qi and blood decline, lack of energy, and diminished organ function can benefit from seasonal supplementation with Gao Fang to combat aging. Middle-aged individuals, as organ functions gradually decline with age, may experience dizziness, lower back pain, fatigue, palpitations, insomnia, and memory loss; Gao Fang can help alleviate these symptoms.
Correcting Sub-Health States: Gao Fang is particularly effective in regulating Yin-Yang balance and correcting sub-health states, helping the body return to optimal condition. In fast-paced, high-pressure environments, many young people experience sub-health symptoms such as dizziness, lower back pain, fatigue, and premature graying; Gao Fang can help restore their normal state.
Preventing and Treating Diseases: Gao Fang tailored to different patient conditions can prevent and treat diseases, especially for cancer patients in recovery or those with weakened immunity prone to recurrent colds. Taking supportive Gao Fang in winter can not only enhance immune function but also store abundant nutrients in the body, aiding in preventing recurrence, metastasis, and colds, and strengthening resistance.
Who is Gao Fang Suitable For?
1. Patients with Chronic Diseases: For those with existing chronic diseases, winter supplementation can be combined with treatment for greater therapeutic and recovery effects. Currently, Gao Fang is applicable not only for internal medicine patients but also for those in gynecology, pediatrics, surgery, orthopedics, and otorhinolaryngology. Various patients with deficiencies in Qi, blood, Yin, Yang, and body fluids can achieve health improvement through Gao Fang.
2. Elderly Individuals: Due to physiological characteristics, elderly individuals experience a decline in various bodily functions with age. Winter supplementation can enhance physical strength and delay aging.
3. Young and Middle-Aged Individuals: Young and middle-aged individuals often face significant work and life stress, high labor intensity, frequent social engagements, irregular diets, and long-term insufficient sleep and rest, leading to substantial changes in normal physiological functions and decreased disease resistance, resulting in a sub-health state. Comprehensive adjustment through Gao Fang therapy is an optimal choice.
4. Women: For women, the spleen and stomach govern overall vitality. Weakness in these organs can lead to insufficient vitality and premature aging. If the spleen and stomach function normally, Qi and blood can be generated, enhancing anti-aging effects. Gao Fang can nourish the spleen and stomach, warm Yang, and regulate Qi to promote women’s health and beauty.
5. Children: Children can appropriately supplement according to their growth needs, especially those with recurrent respiratory infections, persistent cough, poor appetite, or anemia, as they are suitable for adjustment and nourishment.
“One medicine, one nature; a hundred diseases, a hundred formulas.” Each Gao Fang has different functions, but regardless of the type, it can only treat specific conditions and cannot universally treat all diseases. Friends are advised to consult a physician for diagnosis and prescription based on individual needs.
Contraindications for Gao Fang
1. Healthy Individuals or Those with Excessive Pathogenic Factors: Gao Fang primarily contains nourishing herbs suitable for weaker patients. If an individual is generally healthy, there is no need to take Gao Fang. Additionally, patients with excessive pathogenic factors such as dampness, phlegm, or blood stasis should avoid nourishing herbs, as they may exacerbate the condition.
2. Weak Spleen and Stomach: The absorption of herbs relies on the spleen and stomach. If these organs are weak, they cannot absorb the effective components of Gao Fang, and the richness of Gao Fang may worsen symptoms of spleen and stomach deficiency. Therefore, individuals with weak spleen and stomach should first strengthen these organs with other herbal treatments before taking Gao Fang.
3. Acute Phase of Chronic Diseases: Gao Fang has a mild effect and is suitable for chronic disease patients. However, if a patient is in the acute phase of a chronic disease, taking Gao Fang will not achieve rapid therapeutic effects and may delay treatment, so it is not advisable.
Written by/Huang Zhiqiang
Formatted by/Xu Cuiling
Reviewed by/Zhu Xiantao
Final Review/Wang Qinfeng
Dongxiang District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital 24-hour emergency phone: 0794–4288120
