HERB FORMULAS

WU TOU GUI ZHI TANG - 烏頭桂枝湯 - ACONITE AND CINNAMON TWIG COMBINATION

English: Aconite and Cinnamon Twig Decoction
Also Known As: Wu Tou and Cinnamon Combination
Decoction of Aconiti and Ramulus Cinnamomi

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Rx. Aconiti Preparata Zhi Chuan Wu 0.5-6g Expels Wind-Dampness, disperses Cold, warms and activates the channels and stops pain.
Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi 4-9g Releases the exterior, assists the Yang, adjusts the Ying and Wei, releases the muscle layer, warms the channels and collaterals to relieve pain, unblocks Yang and transforms the Qi and warms and facilitates the flow of Qi through the channels and collaterals and Blood through the vessels.
With Bai Shao, for External Wind-Cold with disharmony between the Ying and Wei (Tai Yang Zhong Feng), with spontaneous sweating, fever and chills.
Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang 4-9g Releases the Exterior, induces perspiration and disperses Cold.
With Da Zao, for External Wind-Cold and protects the Stomach Qi and reduces irritation of the gastrointestinal tract by other herbs.
With Gui Zhi, strongly induces sweating for treatment of External Wind-Cold with chills, fever, body aches and anhidrosis.
with Gui Zhi and Da Zao, harmonizes the Ying and Wei to drive out pathogens.
(Rz. Zingiberis) (Gan Jiang) (4-9g) (May substitute for Sheng Jiang in severe cases.)
Rx. Paeoniae Alba Bai Shao 4-9g Calms Liver Yang and Liver Wind and alleviates pain for Bi syndrome due to Blood Deficiency with pain and spasms.
With Gui Zhi, Sheng Jiang and Da Zao, for Wind-Cold with Deficiency and perspiration.
Fr. Jujube Da Zao 4-6g Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs.
Rx. Glycyrrhizae Preparata Zhi Gan Cao 2-6g Moderates spasms, alleviates pain and moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs.
With Bai Shao, moderates spasms and alleviates pain, for painful spasms of the leg or abdomen

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Warms the Interior
  • Reinforces Yang
  • Releases the Exterior
  • Regulates the Ying and Wei

SYNDROMES

  • Interior Cold due to Yang Deficiency with Wind-Cold Invasion giving rise to Cold-Type Bulging Disorder (hernia)
  • Retention of Cold-Dampness in the Interior with Attack of Wind-Cold
  • Jue Yin Cold

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Abdominal pain
  • Cold extremities
  • Numb hands and feet
  • Generalized body aches
  • Paralysis of the extremities
  • Induration and swelling of the scrotum
  • Hypersalivation
  • Limited movement of the joints
  • Abdominal pain referring to the testis
  • Aversion to Cold
  • A preference for Warmth
  • Loose stools
  • Chills and fever
  • T: Normal
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Tense and wiry

TREATS

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Because of the potency of this formula, stop it as soon as it takes effect.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

MODIFICATIONS

For fibromyalgia due to Cold Stagnation Blocking the Channels:  
+ Pinellia Decoction to Extend Life
Yan Nian Ban Xia Tang
    
+ Aconite and Cinnamon Twig Decoction
Wu Tou Gui Zhi Tang