Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang
Star桂枝麻黄各半汤 (Combined Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Decoction)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang (Combined Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Decoction), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing — a variation of Gui Zhi Tang.
Actions: Dispels exterior wind-cold; Harmonizes the wei and ying levels.
Presentation: Taiyang syndrome persisting 8-9 days after onset: flushed face, generalized itching, fever and aversion to cold alternating 2-3 times daily with more fever than chills, headache, no nausea, normal bowel movements.
Composition: Combination of half-doses of Gui Zhi Tang and Ma Huang Tang
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 56.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 23.08% | — | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 3g
|
3g | 15.38% | — | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, qie (sliced)) 3g
|
3g | 15.38% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 3g
|
3g | 15.38% | — | |
|
Ma Huang
as printed: Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) 3g
|
3g | 15.38% | — | |
|
Da Zao
printed dose 4 pieces (no single modern dose); as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae, bo (opened)) 4 pieces
|
g | — | — | |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) 24 pieces [3g]
|
3g | 15.38% | — |
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 (+0.54)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 15%, neutral 15%, warm 69%.
Taste
- pungent 35%
- sweet 27%
- sour 8%
- bitter 31%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 85%
- Spleen 46%
- Heart 39%
- Stomach 31%
- Large intestine 15%
- Liver 15%
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 Ma Huang first and skim the foam, then add the rest; take the warm strained decoction in three equal doses.
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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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