Gui Zhi Jia Hou Po Xing Zi Tang
Star桂枝加厚朴杏子汤 (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Magnolia Bark and Apricot Kernel)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gui Zhi Jia Hou Po Xing Zi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Magnolia Bark and Apricot Kernel), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing — a variation of Gui Zhi Tang.
Actions: Releases the exterior and harmonizes ying and wei; Directs Lung qi downward and relieves dyspnea.
Presentation: Exterior-deficient wind-cold with dyspnea: either reversed Lung qi after wrongly purging an exterior wind-cold condition, or wind-cold invasion in a patient with pre-existing asthma.
Composition: Gui Zhi Tang plus Hou Po and Ku Xing Ren
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 55.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 9g
|
9g | 20% | — | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 9g
|
9g | 20% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 6g
|
6g | 13.33% | — | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, qie (sliced)) 9g
|
9g | 20% | — | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae, bo (opened)) 12 pieces [3 pieces]
|
3pieces | 100% | — | |
|
Hou Po
as printed: Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, zhi (fried with liquid)) 6g
|
6g | 13.33% | Directs Lung qi downward and relieves dyspnea | |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) 50 kernels [6g]
|
6g | 13.33% | Directs Lung qi downward and relieves dyspnea |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
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 slightly warm (+0.47)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 20%, neutral 13%, warm 67%.
Taste
- pungent 37%
- sweet 23%
- sour 10%
- bitter 30%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 80%
- Spleen 67%
- Stomach 47%
- Heart 33%
- Large intestine 27%
- Liver 20%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Da Zao.
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
Cook in 7 cups [1,400 mL] water to 3 cups [600 mL]; take 1 cup [200 mL] warm and cover with blankets for mild sweating. Today use bracketed doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
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.
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