HERB FORMULAS

GUI ZHI JIA GE GEN TANG - 桂枝加葛根汤 - CINNAMON TWIG DECOCTION PLUS KUDZU

English: Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Kudzu
Also Known As: Cinnamon Combination plus kudzu

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi 4-9g Releases the exterior, adjusts the Ying and Wei, warms the channels and collaterals to relieve pain, disperses Cold, unblocks Yang, transforms Qi and releases the muscle layer.
With Bai Shao, harmonizes the Ying and Wei and warms and tonifies the Middle Jiao.
Rx. Paeoniae Alba Bai Shao 4-9g Astringes the Yin and adjusts the Ying and Wei.
Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang 3-9g Helps release the exterior, treats nausea and vomiting. strengthens the spreading and mobilizing actions of the other herbs and adjusts the Ying and Wei.
 With Zhi Gan Cao, harmonizes and regulates the Spleen and Stomach.
With Da Zao, regulates disharmony between the Ying and Wei. and benefits the Middle Qi.
Rx. Puerariae  Ge Gen 6-15g Clears Heat, disperses Wind, releases the muscles (especially of the neck and upper back) and relieves sinus congestion.
Fr. Zizyphi Jujube Da Zao 3-12g Helps Bai Shao regulate the Ying and Wei.
With Gan Cao, tonifies and harmonizes the Middle Jiao .
Fried Rx. Glycyrrhizae Zhi Gan Cao 2-6 Resolves Phlegm, stops cough, clears Heat and moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of the other herbs.

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Releases Wind-Cold from the muscle layer
  • Relaxes and moistens the sinews
  • Regulates the Ying and Wei

SYNDROMES

  • Wind-Cold Attacking the Exterior with Deficiency of Ying and Wei with neck and shoulder stiffness and pain
  • Tai Yang Zhong Feng with neck and shoulder stiffness and pain

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Inhibited side to side turning
  • Fever and chills unrelieved by sweating
  • Decreased body resistance
  • Spontaneous perspiration
  • Rhinitis
  • Maybe body aches
  • Dry heaves
  • Headache
  • Muscles of the neck and back are very stiff and rigid
  • Aversion to Wind
  • Nasal congestion
  • No thirst 
  • T:  Normal
  • C:  White and moist
  • P:  Floating and moderate or floating and weak or slow

TREATS

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with Exterior Cold with Interior Heat. 
  • Use caution during the summer or spells of hot weather.
  • Contraindicated for those with Wind-Cold without Ying Wei disharmony.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

  • Take hot porridge immediately after ingestion of formula.

MODIFICATIONS

For cervical spondylosis: For cervical spondylosis with impeded movement:
+ 9g Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui
+ 9g Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui
+ 9g Rz. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong
+ 9g Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu + 9g Rz. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong
+ 9g Fr. Chaenomelis Mu Gua + 9g Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu
+ 3g Rx. Notoginseng San Qi + 9g Fr. Chaenomelis Mu Gua
For cervical spondylosis with severe fixed pain: + 3g Rx. Notoginseng San Qi
+ 9g Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui + 9g Hb. Lycopodii Shen Jin Cao
+ 9g Caulis Trachelospermi Luo Shi Teng
+ 9g Rz. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong
+ 9g Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu For middle back pain with a Cold feeling:
+ 9g Fr. Chaenomelis Mu Gua + 10g Rz. et Rx. Notopterygii Qiang Huo
+ 3g Rx. Notoginseng San Qi
+ 6g Olibanum Ru Xiang + 10g Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis Du Huo
+ 6g Myrrh Mo Yao
For upper and middle back pain with a high fever and anhidrosis: For middle back pain with coughing and white Phlegm:
+ 12g Rx. Platycodi Jie Geng
+ 10g Hb. Schizonepetae Jing Jie For severe upper back pain:
+ 10g Rz. et Rx. Notopterygii Qiang Huo
+ 10g Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng
+ 10g Rx Angelicae Pubescentis Du Huo
For upper and middle back pain with a headache:
   
+ 10g Rx. Ligustici Gao Ben