Guì Zhī Sháo Yào Zhī Mǔ Tāng

Cinnamon Twig, Peony, and Anemarrhena Decoction

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Category: Dispel Dampness, External Wind ⌕ 
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue  
Actions: Expels wind-damp, dispel cold and dredge yang qi, clear heat [Song]
Diagnosis
Tongue:       Pulse:    Other: 
Patterns: Wind Cold Bi, Wind Damp Bi 
Indications: Recurrent Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with Heat: All joints pain, weakness, swelling in feet with dislocation sensation, dizzy, shortness of breath, nausea [Song] SWOLLEN PAINFUL JOINTS [42]
Contraindications: 
Description
Name Variations:Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang , 桂枝芍药知母汤, Cinnamon Twig, Peony, and Anemarrhena Decoction,
Herb List: Gui Zhi(K) • Zhi Mu(M) • Shao Yao(M) • Ma Huang(A) • Sheng Jiang(A) • Bai Zhu(A) • Fang Feng (A)• Fu Zi(A) • Gan Cao(E)
Commentary:
Related Formulas:
NCCAOM: Wind-Damp is Bi syndrome where the achy pain moves around and the body feels heavy/stiff. NCCAOM has 4 formulas on Wind Damp - 2 acute, 2 chronic. 3 are related to exterior wind, 1 related to internal wind. Acute Wind Damp include exterior climatic or environmental factors like cold rainy days, living/working in wet damp environments, etc. This is why the key herbs are to release exterior. Acute formulas are Juān Bì Tāng and Qiāng Huó Shèng Shī Tāng. They both include chief herbs Qiang Huo and Du Huo(both release exterior). • Juan Bi Tang is for exterior Wind Damp Cold from Qi and Blood deficiency with cold extremities, body ache that moves, and difficulty moving. T: white coat P: moderate. • Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang is for an exterior wind damp cold attack that causes HEAVINESS IN THE HEAD, whole body ache, floating pulse. The two chronic formulas are Dú Huó Jì Shēng Tāng and Guì Zhī Sháo Yào Zhī Mǔ Tāng. • Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang focuses on Internal Wind Damp Cold Bi with Liver and Kidney deficiency (not related to exterior pathogens). • Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang focuses on External Wind Damp Cold Bi + Heat, which means there’s swelling and heat in the affected areas (swollen painful joints).
Herbs Cat/Dosage Actions Attributes
Gui Zhi
Cinnamon Twig • 桂枝
Release Exterior Wind Cold Activate yang qi, warm yang, open channels, expel Wind Cold from muscle layer • warm Middle Jiao • regulate Wei Qi • improve circulation • relieve pain • thin mucus • treat chest Bi diuretic, anticoagulant, vasodilation, diaphoretic, antipyretic, emmenagogue, antiparasitic, cardiotonic, antibiotic, hypoglycemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative
Zhi Mu
Anemarrhena • 知母
Clear Heat Drain Fire Clear heat • Drain fire • Nourish Yin • Moisten internal dryness • Reduce fever
Bai Shao
White Root Peony • 白芍
Tonify Blood Nourish blood • Regulate menses • Soothes liver • Relieve pain • Preserve yin • Reduce spasms • Harmonize Ying and Wei Qi analgesic • antibacterial • anti-inflammatory • hepatoprotective • immune system boost • sedative
Ma Huang 
Ephedra • 麻黄
Release Exterior Wind Cold Release exterior • Dispel cold • Induce sweating • Increase urination • Control cough • Ease wind damp Bi painTossing with honey lowers the dispersing effects antiviral, diaphoretic, diuretic, bronchodilator, hypertensive, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, CNS stimulant, anti-fungal, analgesic, anti-influenza, anti-metastic
Sheng Jiang 
Ginger (Raw)生姜
Release Exterior Wind Cold Release exterior • Stops vomiting • Relieve Nausea • Stops cough • Reduce herb toxicity • Regulate central flow of Qi Expectorant • Cough Suppressant • Digestive • Hypotensive • Antiplatelet • Stimulant • Analgesic • Anti-inflammatory • Antipyretic • Cholagogic • Antiemetic • Antimutagenic
Bai ZhuWhite Atractylodes Root • 白术 Tonify Qi Tonify Spleen Qi • Stop sweating • Calms fetus • Dry dampness • Stabilize exteriorDao Di: Zhe Jiang Anti-inflammatory • Hepatoprotective • Immunity Booster • Hypoglycemic • Antibaterial
Fang Feng
Siler Root 防风  
Release Exterior Wind Cold Expel all wind disorders • Relief intestinal wind • Release exterior • Reduce muscle spasms • Expel wind-cold • Expel Wind Dampness • Treat diarrhea • Relief Liver wind • Benefits 12 channelsCharred Fang Feng is used to stop bleeding; particularly with overly heavy menstrual bleeding Antibiotic • Antipyretic • Hemostatic
Fu Zi Process Aconite Daughter Root • 附子  Warm Interior Expel Cold Restore devastated yang • Warm channels • Warms interior cold • Relief pain • Strengthen Ming Men fireDao Di: Si Chuan • Herbs from the same plant: Fu Zi • Tian Xiong • Wu Tou • Chuan Wu • Cao WuZhi Chuan Wu Anodyne • Analgesic • Anti-inflammatory • Antipyretic • Mild sedative
Gan Cao Licorice Root • 甘草 Tonify Qi Tonify Spleen Qi • Tonify Heart qi • Clear heat • Resolve toxicity • Stop cough • Dispel phlegm • Lubricate lungs • Stop wheezing • Reduce spasm • Relieve pain • Harmonize other herb effects • enters 12 channelsEnters all 12 channels, often serve as envoy in a formula. Hypoglycemic • Antiarrhythmic • Hypertensive • Expectorant • Antidiarrheal • Antiulcer • Hepatoprotective • Immunostimulant • Antitussive • Antiviral • Detox • Demulcent • Anti-inflammatory • Laxative • Emmenagogue • Antimicrobial • Spasmolytic • Corticosteroidal
King/Chief    ♥ Minister/Deputy      Assistant     ♦ Envoy
Directions:

Caution
ALERT: Contraindications of each herb - use with caution under these conditions:
Gui Zhi: Pregnancy, Liver Wind, hyperactive Yang from Yin xu, Wind Heat, blood heat, heavy menses, measles, open skin sores
Zhi Mu: Cold and deficiency of Spleen and Stomach
Bai Shao: Deficiency cold • Breast feeding • Pregnancy • Bleeding Disorder • Scheduled Surgery
Ma Huang: Not for long term use • Hypertension • Diarrhea • Insomnia • Dysuria • Cardiovascular problems • Heart palpitations • Seizures • Heart disease • Kidney disease • Liver disease • Caffeine • Stroke
Sheng Jiang: Lung heat • Dry cough • Phlegm heat • Full heat • Yin deficiency with heat • Vomiting from stomach heat • Gallstones • Exterior deficiency with unexplained sweating • Horse meat
Bai Zhu: Autoimmune disorder • Yin deficiency with heat • Dehydration • Foods: black carp, Chinese cabbage, peach, plum and coriander
Gan Cao: High blood pressure • Low potassium • Seaweed • Medications: Gan Cao can interact with various medication. See Pharma Interaction section.
Fang Feng: Yin deficiency fire • Blood deficiency spasms • Lack dampness • Lack pathogenic wind
Fu Zi: Soy sauce • Millet • Pregnancy • False cold, true heat • Incompatible with: Bai Ji, Bai Lian, Ban Xia, Chuan Bei Mu, Gua Lou Pi, Gua Lou Ren, Gua Lou Shi, Tian Hua Fen, Zhe Bei MuCao Wu is antagonized by Xi Jiao
Gan Cao: High blood pressure • Low potassium • Seaweed • Medications: Gan Cao can interact with various medication. See Pharma Interaction section.
Notes

 

Bibliography: [3], [8], [9], [14]

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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