Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang
Star黄芪桂枝五物汤 (Astragalus and Cinnamon Twig Five-Substance Decoction)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang (Astragalus and Cinnamon Twig Five-Substance Decoction), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Tonifies qi and warms the channels; Harmonizes the ying (nutritive) level and unblocks obstruction.
Presentation: Xue bi (blood painful obstruction): numbness of the extremities, and a slightly rough and tight pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 500.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 9g [12g]
|
12g | 28.57% | Jun (Chief) | tonifies wei qi and consolidates the exterior; with Gui Zhi tonifies qi, warms yang, harmonizes blood, opens channels |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 9g
|
9g | 21.43% | Jun (Chief) | disperses wind-cold and opens the channels; with Bai Shao harmonizes ying and wei |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 18g [12g]
|
12g | 28.57% | Zuo (Assistant) | with Gui Zhi dispels wind-cold |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 12 pieces [4 pieces]
|
4pieces | 100% | Shi (Envoy) | tonifies qi and blood |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 9g
|
9g | 21.43% | nourishes blood and harmonizes the ying level |
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 (+0.57)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 21%, warm 79%.
Taste
- pungent 39%
- sweet 39%
- sour 11%
- bitter 11%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 79%
- Spleen 79%
- Stomach 29%
- Heart 21%
- Liver 21%
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 6 cups [1,200 mL] water to 2 cups [400 mL]; take 0.7 cup [140 mL] warm, three doses; today use bracketed 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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