Gui Zhi Tang

(Cinnamon Twig Decoction)

Sub-Category:

• Formulas that Release Early-Stage Exterior Disorders

Pattern:

• Exterior Wind-Cold from Deficiency

Actions:

• Harmonizes the Ying and Wei Qi, releases the muscle layer

Indications:

• Deficient Wind Cold condition, chills and fever that are not alleviated by sweating, stiff neck, headache, aversion to wind

Possible Tongue Appearance:

• Thin white tongue coat

Possible Pulse Patterns:

• Floating and Moderate
• Frail pulse

Western Uses:

• Common Cold
• Influenza
• Postpartum Care
• Morning Sickness
• Skin Diseases such as Frostbite, Eczema, and Tinea

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

• Not for exterior excess Wind Cold patterns or Wind Heat patterns
• Not for damp heat or internal heat patterns.
• Do not use while consuming alcohol.

Originally Appeared In:

• On Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun)

Notes:

• This formula is best used when there is sweating with an exterior cold condition, the Wei (protective) Qi is unable to protect the exterior and the Ying (nutritive) Qi can not nurture the interior.

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

• Lungs, Heart, Bladder, Spleen, Liver, Stomach

Substances in this Formula (5 Total):

	Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig, Cassia Twig) Qty: 9 grams Chan: HT, LU, BL Prop: Spicy, Sweet, Warm Latin: Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Bai Shao (White Peony Root) Qty: 9 grams Chan: LIV, SP Prop: Bitter, Sour, Cool Latin: Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Blood
	Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) Qty: 9 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Da Zao (Date, Jujube) Qty: 5-12 pieces Chan: SP, ST Prop: Sweet, Warm Latin: Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Zhi Gan Cao (Honey Fried Licorice Root) Qty: 6 grams Chan: All 12 Channels Prop: Sweet, Warm Latin: Radix Glycyrrhizae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi

References

Formulas

• 15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition)
  - Qiao Yi

Herbs

• 13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article)
  - Fugh-Berman A.
• 17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition)
  - John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen
• 26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition)
  - Max Wichtl

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist.
Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.