Formula Formulas that Release the Exterior and Warm the Interior

Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang

桂枝人参汤

Also known as:

Cinnamon Twig and Ginseng Decoction

Formula Composition

Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Releases the Exterior
  2. Warms the Interior
  3. Augments the Qi
  4. Eliminates focal distention

Historical Origin

Discussion of Cold Damage (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 Ren Shen Tang

Main Actions

Releases the Exterior
Warms the Interior
Augments the Qi
Eliminates focal distention

Key TCM Concepts

Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Ginseng (Ren Shen) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that Release the Exterior and Warm the Interior. Its main actions are: 1) releases the Exterior and 2) warms the Interior.

 

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.

 

From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as peptic ulcers, chronic cholecystitis or chronic colitis for instance.

Ingredients in Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang 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 Ren Shen Tang
Gui Zhi is acrid, warming. It releases the Exterior through its warming action on the greater Yang warp, but also helps to direct turbid Qi downward by means of its acrid fragrance. It is used to focus entirely on the Exterior.
View herb details
Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang
In general Ren Shen's main actions are as follows: "Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit)."

In the context of Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang, it is used because it strongly tonifies the primal Qi, assisting movement, circulation and transformation.
View herb details
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang

Dried ginger

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang
Gan Jiang is acrid and heating. It warms the Middle Burner, dispelling Interior Cold and boosting the Spleen and Stomach Yang Qi. If the Spleen's transportive and transformative functions fail, Dampness accumulates.
View herb details
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang
Gan Cao is sweet and balanced. It enters the Spleen to harmonize the entire formula and assist Ginseng and Atractylodes rhizome in strengthening the Spleen .
View herb details
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang
In general Bai Zhu's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi."

In the context of Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen dries Dampness, and stops diarrhea.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula is strongly warming and drying, thus it is contraindicated for patterns with Interior Heat or Yin Deficiecy.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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