Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang
Star枳实薤白桂枝汤 (Immature Bitter Orange, Chinese Chive, and Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang (Immature Bitter Orange, Chinese Chive, and Cinnamon Twig Decoction), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Unblocks yang and disperses stagnations; Dispels phlegm and directs qi flow downward.
Presentation: Xiong bi (painful obstruction of the chest): chest fullness and pain, chest pain radiating to the back, wheezing, coughing with sputum, shortness of breath, a sensation of qi rushing upward from the hypochondrium to the heart, white and greasy tongue coating, deep, wiry pulse or tight pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 831.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Xie Bai
dose printed as 9-12g; as printed: Xie Bai (Bulbus Allii Macrostemonis) 0.5 cup [9-12g]
|
g | — | Jun (Chief) | acrid and warm; warms and unblocks yang, disperses stagnation in the chest |
|
Gua Lou
dose printed as 12-24g; as printed: Gua Lou (Fructus Trichosanthis, dao (pounded)) 1 piece [12-24g]
|
g | — | Jun (Chief) | disperses stagnation and dispels phlegm |
|
Zhi Shi
as printed: Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) 4 pieces [12g]
|
12g | 40% | Chen (Deputy) | activates qi circulation and breaks up qi stagnation to relieve fullness and pain |
|
Hou Po
as printed: Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) 12g
|
12g | 40% | Chen (Deputy) | redirects rising qi, dispels phlegm, relieves chest fullness |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 3g [6g]
|
6g | 20% | Zuo (Assistant) | activates yang to disperse cold |
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 nature not shown: the chief herb (Xie Bai, Gua Lou) has no dose in grams.
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 40%, warm 60%.
Pairs warm and cool. 60% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 40% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 43%
- sweet 10%
- sour 13%
- bitter 33%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 80%
- Stomach 80%
- Spleen 80%
- Lung 60%
- Heart 20%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
2 herbs without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Xie Bai, Gua Lou.
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
Source: cook Zhi Shi and Hou Po first in 5 cups [1,000 mL] water down to 2 cups [400 mL], discard residue, add the other herbs and bring to a few boils; take warm in three divided doses per day. Today prepared as a decoction with the 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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