Formula Formulas that dispel Wind-Damp

Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang

桂枝芍药知母汤

Also known as:

Cinnamon Twig Peony and Anemarrhena Decoction

Formula Composition

Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Ma Huang
Ma Huang
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Heat and inflammations
  2. Unblocks the flow of Yang Qi and promotes movement (in areas with painful obstruction)
  3. Clears Wind and Damp
  4. Relieves pain

Patterns Treated

Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang

Main Actions

Clears Heat and inflammations
Unblocks the flow of Yang Qi and promotes movement (in areas with painful obstruction)
Clears Wind and Damp
Relieves pain

Key TCM Concepts

Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Wind-Damp. Its main actions are: 1) clears Heat and inflammations and 2) unblocks the flow of Yang Qi and promotes movement (in areas with painful obstruction).

 

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 Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disorders or gouty arthritis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp

Common Applications

Rheumatoid arthritis Connective tissue disorders Gouty arthritis Psoriatic arthritis Periarthritis of the shoulder Sciatica Deep vein thrombosis Erythema nodosum Corpulmonare

Ingredients in Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
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 Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
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 Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang, it is used because it warms and unblocks the Channels.
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Ma Huang
Ma Huang

Ephedra

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Lungs
Parts Used Dried herbaceous stems
Role in Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Ma Huang strengthens the warming effect of Cinnamon twigs (the key herb here) and relieves relatively superficial swellings.
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Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi

Prepared aconite

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Spleen
Parts Used Processed daughter root
Role in Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
In general Zhi Fu Zi's main actions are as follows: "Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang."

In the context of Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang, it is used because it warms the Channels and relieves pain.
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Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu

Anemarrhena rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Zhi Mu works together with White peony root (Bai Shao) - another deputy herb here - to clear Heat and prevent injury to the Yin by recurrent painful obstruction. The combination of Cinnamon twigs (the key herb here) and White peony root is a common one that harmonizes the functions of the protective and nutritive Qi. The less common pairing of Anemarrhena rhizome with Cinnamon twigs effectively prevents Heat from stagnating in the joints.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Bai Zhu works with Cinnamon twigs (the key herb here) to unblock the flow of Yang Qi and leach out Dampness.
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Fang Feng
Fang Feng

Saposhnikovia roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
In general Fang Feng's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Disperses Wind."

In the context of Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang, it is used because it strengthens the formula's function of expelling Wind and Dampness.
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Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."

In the context of Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang, it is used because it strengthens the spreading and mobilizing actions of the other herbs.
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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 Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and regulates the functions of the Middle Burner.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang

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

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu 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.