Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang
Star桂枝人参汤 (Cinnamon Twig and Ginseng Decoction)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ginseng Decoction), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Warms the interior and releases the exterior; Tonifies qi and relieves distention.
Presentation: Exterior wind-cold and interior deficiency and cold: fever, aversion to cold, perspiration, constant diarrhea, distention and pain beneath the heart, and cold body and extremities.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 466.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 12g
|
12g | 23.53% | Jun (Chief) | dispels wind-cold at the exterior and relieves body aches |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 9g
|
9g | 17.65% | Jun (Chief) | with Bai Zhu tonifies qi, strengthens the Spleen, stops diarrhea |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 9g
|
9g | 17.65% | Chen (Deputy) | warms the interior and dispels cold |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 9g
|
9g | 17.65% | Zuo (Assistant) | with Ren Shen tonifies qi, strengthens the Spleen, stops diarrhea |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 12g
|
12g | 23.53% | relieves pain and harmonizes the formula |
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 (+0.94)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 24%, warm 59%, hot 18%.
Taste
- pungent 29%
- sweet 53%
- bitter 18%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 82%
- Heart 82%
- Spleen 77%
- Stomach 59%
- Kidney 18%
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
Cook all but Gui Zhi in 9 cups [1,800 mL] water to 5 cups [1,000 mL]; add Gui Zhi (post-decocted) and reduce to 3 cups [600 mL]; take 1 cup [200 mL] warm twice in the day and once at night.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Nu Shen San = this formula without Gan Jiang + Xie Xin Tang + Xiang Lian Wan + Bing Lang, Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Ding Xiang and Xiang Fu
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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