Formula Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation

Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan

桂枝茯苓丸

Also known as:

Cinnamon and Poria Decoction , Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill , Cinnamon Twig and Poria Combination

Formula Composition

Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Chi Shao
Chi Shao
Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi
Tao Ren
Tao Ren
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Kings
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Invigorates the Blood
  2. Transforms Blood Stasis
  3. Softens lumps
  4. Reduces fixed abdominal pain

Patterns Treated

Blood Stagnation, Qi And Blood Stagnation, Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus, Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan

Main Actions

Invigorates the Blood
Transforms Blood Stasis
Softens lumps
Reduces fixed abdominal pain

Key TCM Concepts

Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) invigorates the Blood and 2) transforms Blood Stasis.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood Stagnation, Qi And Blood Stagnation or Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menopausal syndrome, infertility or dysmenorrhea for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Blood Stagnation
  • Qi And Blood Stagnation
  • Blood Stagnation and Phlegm in the Uterus
  • Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels

Common Applications

Menopausal syndrome Infertility Dysmenorrhea Postpartum bleeding Retained placenta Cervical erosion Polycystic ovaries Pelvic inflammatory disease Endometriosis Ectopic plancenta Prostatic hypertrophy Intestinal polyps Cystic acne Amenorrhoea Restless fetus Ovarian cysts

Ingredients in Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
In general Gui Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood."

In the context of Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, it is used because it unblocks the Blood vessels and reduces Blood Stagnation by promoting circulation.
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Fu Ling helps promote the downward circulation of Blood in cases of Blood Stagnation. It also nourishes the Qi of the Heart and Spleen, quiets the Heart, and calms the Mind (Shen), all of which helps calm the fetus in case this formula is taken by a pregnant woman. Poria-cocos mushrooms also have a strong diuretic action and hence help eliminate any Phlegm / Dampness that would complicate the Blood Stagnation.
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Chi Shao
Chi Shao

Red peony roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Chi Shao promotes the circulation of Blood to alleviate stagnation. It's also a diuretic, helping drain Dampness which facilitates the action of the key herbs in regulating the Blood.
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Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi

Mudan peony bark

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Root barks
Role in Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Mu Dan Pi works, together with Peach Kernels (the other assistant in this formula), to cool and invigorate the Blood (thereby breaking Stagnation), reduce abdominal masses and disperse accumulations.
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Tao Ren
Tao Ren

Peach kernels

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Large Intestine, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Tao Ren works, together with Mudan peony bark (the other assistant in this formula), to cool and invigorate the Blood (thereby breaking Stagnation), reduce abdominal masses and disperse accumulations.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Use with extreme caution during pregnancy or postpartum and only when there is a confirmed diagnosis of Blood Stagnation.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.