Gui Zhi Tang 桂枝汤
Cinnamon Twig Decoction
Tradition:
TCM
Source / Author:
Discussion of Cold Induced Disorders (Shang Han Lun) C.220
|
Herb Name |
Latin |
Amount |
|---|---|---|
|
Cinnamomum cassia | ||
|
Paeonia lactiflora | ||
|
Zingiber officinale |
9 grams ea. | |
|
Ziziphus jujuba |
12 pieces | |
|
Glycyrrhiza uralensis honey-fried |
6 grams |
Preparation:
Decoct for 20 minutes in 6 cups of water
Function:
Clears Wind and Cold
Use:
1. Fever and Chills, headache, stiff neck, blocked nose, thin moist tongue coating, floating pulse.
2. Used for Influenza, Cold, Hayfever with the above symptoms
3. Also used for Eczema and Urticaria
Dose:
a cupful, then cover up to induce sweating. If needed, a second cup can be taken an hour later, but stop once sweating is induced.
Comment:
This is for exterior Cold with Sweating and Chills, Ma Huang Tang is for a similar presentation but with no sweating. Gui Zhi Fu Zi Tang is for similar uses to Gui Zhi Tang, but with more severe Cold with marked body pain.
Cautions:
1. Not used for exterior Wind-Cold with Interior Heat (Fever, sore throat and rapid pulse)
Modifications:
1. Cough or shortness of breath add Apricot kernel Xing Ren
2. Profuse sweating, increase Peony Bai Shao, and reduce Cinnamon twig and fresh Ginger
Similar Formulas:
More severe Cold and pain, add Aconitum Fu Zi. This makes Gui Zhi Fu Zi Tang
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