Cinnamon Twig Decoction
Gui zhi tang
Kan Traditionals
Regulates Protective and Nutritive Qi, expels Wind Cold invasion.
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- Herb: Chinese cinnamon twig, White peony root, Red jujube fruit, Honey fried Chinese licorice root and rhizome, Ginger rhizome
- Herb (Pinyin): Gui zhi, Bai shao, Hong zao, Zhi gan cao, Gan jiang
- Pattern: Wind Cold invasion
- Actions: Regulates Protective and Nutritive Qi, expels Wind Cold invasion
- Indications: Supports the immune system, Occasional sweating not specific to a region of the body, Occasional aversion to wind or draft, Occasional sensation of alternating heat and cold, Occasional upper body stiffness
- Contraindications: Not for use with Wind Cold invasion with Interior Heat., Use with caution in warm weather.
- Tongue: Thin, white, moist coat.
- Pulse: Floating, may be frail or moderate.
Cinnamon Twig Decoction is a faithful rendition of Gui Zhi Tang, one of the most famous formulas from the Shang Han Lun. This classical formula, indicated for Wind Cold invasion, is simple and effective and has countless variations and associated formulas.
Protective and Nutritive Qi regulate and support each other. Protective (Wei) Qi is responsible for guarding the Exterior and preventing the entry of exterior invasions, while Nutritive (Ying) Qi stabilizes and nourishes the Interior. If Protective Qi weakens, becoming soft and penetrable, it is unable to ward off the entry of Wind Cold. In its struggle to deflect Wind Cold, Protective Qi dissipates and the unguarded Nutritive Qi becomes hyper-alert and defensive.
When attacked by Wind Cold, the body’s Nutritive Qi, if left vulnerable by weakened Protective Qi, is no longer capable of fulfilling its function of containing fluids, which leads to sweating. Open pores directly expose the individual to the external environment, and entry of Wind Cold impairs Lung Qi from regulating the body’s skin and nose. It is also common for this individual to feel a natural sensitivity or aversion to drafts, and to experience occasional tenderness, stiffness in the muscle layer and in the neck and shoulders.
A similar imbalance between Nutritive and Protective Qi may occur without externally contracted Wind Cold for individuals with a weak constitution. Cinnamon Twig Decoction will restore this balance. This formula disperses Wind Cold excess at the level of the Protective
Qi and restores the normal flow of Nutritive Qi, so that they are harmonized. This formula can be used for a wide range of patterns whenever the Protective Yang is unable to enter into the Nutritive Yin, and instead exits, ascends or accumulates. This pattern is characterized by Yang excess in the Interior of the body that occurs in conjunction with stagnation due to Cold at the level of the Nutritive Qi or Heart Yang.
The most important sign for this pattern is sweating that is not limited to a specific region of the body or climates. It can happen in any season, and during the day or night. It may be more or less pronounced, limited to hands and feet, one side of the body, or the back or head, or all over the body. In all of these cases, sweating represents a loss of the body’s Essence and an inability to control Yang functions. The second indication is an aversion to wind or draft, and the
occurrence of Heat type reactions in response to cold.
Chinese cinnamon twig, the chief herb in this formula, supplements Yang and releases externally contracted Wind Cold from the muscle layer, and strengthens the regulatory function of Nutritive Qi. It is combined with White peony root, the deputy, to support Protective Qi in dispelling exterior invasions and to strengthen Nutritive Qi. Ginger rhizome further assists Chinese cinnamon twig in releasing the Exterior, by warming the Middle and directing Qi downward. Red jujube fruit nourishes and harmonizes the Nutritive Qi and Blood.
Honey fried Chinese licorice root and rhizome harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and assists Chinese Cinnamon twig and Ginger rhizome in transforming the Yang aspects of the pattern, and White peony root and Red jujube fruit in transforming the Yin.
ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT
Cinnamon Twig Decoction was originally formulated during the Ming dynasty. This elegant, classic herbal formula has been used for centuries, and is one of the most important formulas in the Shang Han Lun.