Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang
Star桂枝加芍药汤 (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Peony)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gui Zhi Jia Shao Yao Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Peony), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing — a variation of Gui Zhi Tang.
Actions: Treats combined taiyang and taiyin disorder (interior disharmony).
Presentation: Taiyang syndrome wrongly purged, damaging Spleen qi so the Liver attacks the Spleen (taiyang plus taiyin): aversion to cold, fever, perspiration, abdominal fullness, distention and pain, and diarrhea.
Composition: Gui Zhi Tang with the dose of Bai Shao doubled
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 | 21.43% | — | |
|
Bai Shao
doubled; as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 18g
|
18g | 42.86% | Doubled dose shifts the formula to treating interior disharmony | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 6g
|
6g | 14.29% | — | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae, bo (opened)) 12 pieces [3 pieces]
|
3pieces | 100% | — | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, qie (sliced)) 9g
|
9g | 21.43% | — |
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 neutral (0.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 43%, neutral 14%, warm 43%.
Pairs warm and cool. 43% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 43% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 32%
- sweet 25%
- sour 21%
- bitter 21%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 79%
- Lung 57%
- Liver 43%
- Stomach 36%
- Heart 36%
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.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- You Bi Tang = this formula + Ge Gen Tang + Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Jie Geng Tang + Bai Zhi, Chuan Xiong, Huang Qin, Shi Gao and Xin Yi (Hua)
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.
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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