Gui Zhi Jia Gui Tang
Star桂枝加桂汤 (Cinnamon Twig Decoction With Extra Cinnamon)
Source: Shang Han Lun (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gui Zhi Jia Gui Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction With Extra Cinnamon), from Treatise on Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun).
Actions: Warm and unblock heart yang, calm surging, and direct counterflow downward
Indications: Indicated for the treatment of sensation of qi rushing due to weakness of heart yang and cold water pathogen attacking the heart, with sensation of qi rushing up to the chest from lower abdomen, restless sleep or getting up, which are paroxysmal
Category: Formulas that Release the Exterior with Acrid-warm Medicinals.
Source: Xi S, Gong Y. Essentials of Chinese Materia Medica and Medical Formulas: New Century Traditional Chinese Medicine. Academic Press/Elsevier, 2017, pp. 427–429.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Cinnamomi Ramulus (gui zhi) 15g
|
15g | 100% | — |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net warm (+1.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: warm 100%.
Taste
- pungent 50%
- sweet 50%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Heart 100%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Decoct the ingredients with water for oral use
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Gui Zhi Jia Gui Tang.
No notes yet.