气平，味甘。无毒。
阳明经引经药，足阳明经行经的药。
《象》云∶治脾虚而渴，除胃热，解酒毒，通行足阳明经之药，去皮用。
《心》云∶止渴升阳。
《珍》云∶益阳生津，勿多用，恐伤胃气。虚渴者，非此不能除。
《本草》云∶主消渴，身大热，呕吐，诸痹，起阴气，解诸毒，疗伤寒中风头痛，解肌
发表出汗，开腠理，疗金疮，止痛，胁风痛。生根汁，寒，治消渴，伤寒壮热。花，主消酒
。粉，味甘，大寒，主压丹石，去烦热，利大小便，止渴。小儿热秃，以葛根浸、捣汁饮
之，良。
东垣云∶葛根甘平，温，世人初病太阳证，便服葛根升麻汤，非也。
朱奉议云∶头痛如欲破者，连须葱白汤饮之，又不已者，葛根葱白汤。
易老云∶用此以断太阳入阳明之路，非即太阳药也。故仲景治太阳、阳明合病，桂枝汤
内加麻黄、葛根也。又有葛根、黄芩、黄连解肌汤，是知葛根非太阳药，即阳明药。
《食疗》云∶葛根蒸食之消毒，其粉亦甚妙。其粉以水调三合，能解鸩毒。
《衍义》云∶治中热酒渴病，多食行小便，亦能使人利。病酒及渴者，得之甚良。
易老又云∶太阳初病未入阳明，头痛者，不可便服葛根发之；若服之，是引贼破家也。
若头颅痛者，可服之。葛根汤，阳明自中风之仙药也。
《本草》又云∶杀野葛、巴豆百药毒。
Nature is neutral, taste is sweet. Non-toxic.
It is a guiding herb for the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, meaning it guides medicinal actions to the Foot-Yangming Meridian.
Li Gao (Xiang) stated: It treats thirst caused by Spleen deficiency, clears Stomach heat, resolves alcohol toxicity, and unblocks the Foot-Yangming Meridian. The skin should be removed before use.
Wang Haogu (Xin) stated: It stops thirst and raises Yang Qi.
Zhang Yuansu (Zhen) stated: It benefits Yang and generates body fluids. Do not use in large doses, as it may damage Stomach Qi. For thirst due to deficiency, this herb is indispensable for resolution.
Bencao states: It primarily treats Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome), high fever of the body, vomiting, various Bi syndromes (painful obstruction), raises Yin Qi, resolves various toxins, treats headache due to Shang Han (Cold Damage) or Zhong Feng (Wind Strike), releases the muscle layer, induces sweating, opens the Cou Li (pores/skin texture), treats traumatic injuries from metal weapons, alleviates pain, and treats wind-pain in the hypochondrium. Raw juice of Ge Gen is cold in nature, treating Xiao Ke and severe fever in Shang Han. The flower of Ge Gen primarily resolves alcohol intoxication. The powder of Ge Gen is sweet in taste and very cold in nature; it primarily suppresses toxicity from Dan Shi (mineral drugs), removes irritability and heat, promotes urination and bowel movements, and stops thirst. For infantile hot alopecia, soaking Ge Gen, crushing it to extract juice, and drinking it is effective.
Li Dongyuan stated: Ge Gen is sweet, neutral, and warm. When people initially present with Taiyang syndrome, taking Gegen Shengma Tang immediately is incorrect.
Zhu Fengyi stated: For headache feeling as if the head were bursting, drink Lian Xu Cong Bai Tang. If that fails, take Gegen Cong Bai Tang.
Yi Lao (Zhang Yuansu) stated: This herb is used to block the pathway of Taiyang pathogenic factors entering the Yangming stage; it is not a direct medicine for Taiyang disease. Therefore, when Zhang Zhongjing treated combined Taiyang and Yangming diseases, he added Mahuang and Ge Gen to Guizhi Tang. There is also Jie Ji Tang composed of Ge Gen, Huang Qin, and Huang Lian. From this, we know Ge Gen is not a medicine for Taiyang disease, but rather for Yangming disease.
Shiliao stated: Steaming Ge Gen for consumption detoxifies; its powder is also excellent. Three ge (a unit of volume) of Ge Gen powder mixed with water can resolve Zhen poison (bird venom).
Yanyi stated: It treats internal heat and post-alcohol thirst. Consuming much promotes urination and facilitates bodily functions. It is highly beneficial for those suffering from alcohol illness and thirst.
Yi Lao further stated: In the early stage of Taiyang disease, before it has entered Yangming, if headache occurs, one must not immediately administer Ge Gen to induce sweating; doing so is like inviting thieves to destroy the household. However, if the pain is located in the skull/cranium, it may be taken. Gegen Tang is an immortal medicine for Yangming self-strike by Wind.
Bencao further states: It kills poisons from Ye Ge (wild ginseng/stramonium-like plants), Ba Dou (Croton seeds), and hundred other toxic substances.