Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
- Release Exterior Wind Cold
- Gui Zhi
- Bai Shao
- Sheng Jiang
- Da Zao
- Zhi Gan Cao
- Gui Zhi Releases wind-cold from the muscle layer. Acrid, induces sweating.
- Bai Shao nourishes yin-fluids and astringes the exterior.
- Sheng Jiang assists Gui Zhi in dispersing wind-cold from the exterior; harmonizes St to stop vomiting.
- Da Zao tonifies Qi and Blood, focuses on deficiency. Combined with Sheng Jiang they simultaneously expel pathogen and tonify Qi and Blood, they are the second paired herbs to harmonize Ying and Wei.
- Zhi Gan Cao harmonizes the formula. The sweet Zhi Gan Cao combines with pungent Gui Zhi to generate Yang Qi; combines with sour Bai Shao to generate Yin Fluids.
Function: Releases exterior wind-cold from the muscle layer, and regulates the Ying and Wei Qi.
Indications: Wind-cold exterior deficient syndrome, wind pathogen attack is dominant.
Symptoms: Fever, aversion to wind WITH SWEATING, headache, nasal congestion, retching (damaged fluids), and no particular thirst. Even though there is sweating, still must induce sweating to expel wind pathogen. Bai Shao protects Yin.
Tongue: Thin, white coating
Pulse: Superficial and moderate; or superficial and frail.
Clinical Applications:
- This formula is commonly used for wind-cold exterior deficient syndrome, especially for patients after serious illness, in postpartum, and infants with disharmony between Ying Qi and Wei Qi.
- The key symptoms are fever, aversion to wind, sweating, superficial and moderate pulse.
- For cases with rigid neck and back, add Ge Gen.
- For cases with coughing and wheezing, add Hou Po and Xing Ren.
- Currently used for common cold, flu, upper respiratory tract infection, allergic sinus, angioedema, cerebrovascular spasm, eczema, and urticaria due to disharmony between Ying Qi and Wei Qi.
Cautions and Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases marked by severe chills and slight fever WITHOUT SWEATING; exterior cold with interior heat manifesting fever without sweating, irritability; febrile disease in early stage characterized by fever with thirst, sore throat, and rapid pulse.