Gui Zhi Tang
Hurrah for Gui Zhi Tang!
Gui Zhi Tang for ALL!
Ke Yun Bo called Gui Zhi Tang the “Formula for the Masses.” I use this formula every day I am in the clinic. In terms of illnesses, the reach of Gui Zhi Tang is extremely broad, extending well beyond the so-called wind cold. I use it for digestive, menstrual, skin, respiratory and emotional disorders. Below I have shared a LONG post that goes deeply into an expansive view of this most excellent and brilliant formula, illustrated through case studies and discussions. I translated most of these cases from Liu Du-Zhou’s Collected Case Studies from Renowned Physicians, with a few extra cases added from Feng Shi-Lun, Fu Yan-Ling and Cao Ying-Fu. If you take the time to read all of these 28 cases and the discussions, you will come away really understanding the wide range application of this formula.
Formula Explanation: By Liu Du-Zhu
This formula is used for a pattern in which there is lack of harmony between the Ying and Wei, The Qi and blood, the Yin and Yang and the Exterior and Interior. The principle symptoms are sweating, aversion to wind and cold and a weak pulse. Gui Zhi Tang is used to regulate and harmonize the Ying and Wei and Yin and Yang. It opens through to connect the exterior with the interior and the upper with the lower. The special characteristics of it are:
- It regulates and harmonizes the Ying and Wei by both generating and stopping sweat. Because, in the Gui Zhi Tang pattern, the “Ying is weak and the Wei is strong,” the Wei Qi is not in a harmonious relationship with the flourishing Qi (Ying).” The Ying Yin is weak on the interior and it is of no use to the Wei Yang. This is the so named “lack of harmony.” Because there is a loss of the functions to warm the muscle layer, fill the skin, fertilize the straie of the flesh and govern the opening and closing, there are the constant symptoms of a moderate and weak pulse, sweating and aversion to cold. Gui Zhi Tang has the special ability to regulate and harmonize the Ying and Wei. In the formula there is Gui Zhi, which is pungent and warm. It opens through the Yang and benefits the Wei. Shao Yao is sour and cold. It boosts the Yin and contains the Ying. When the Gui is combined with the sourness of Shao, it is not overly scattering. When Shao is combined with the pungent quality of Gui, the Yin does not congeal. Sheng Jiang is pungent and scattering. It assists the Gui to move to the exterior. Da Zao is sweet and moderate. It assists the Ying to move toward the interior. Gan Cao is sweet and balanced. For the Wei it is warm and for the Ying it is nourishing. It is a regulating and harmonizing herb. This formula uses sour and pungent together. Cold and warm are unified. Force is tempered with mercy. This is the meaning of inducing sweat while containing it. There is the function of regulating the Wei within the function of harmonizing the Ying. When the Yin and Wei are harmonized as one, the muscles and pores are resolved and disinhibited. The external evil follows the sweat and is resolved. The sweat going out creates harmony and so it stops. The Tang Ye Ben Cao explained it like this: “ The Gui Zhi method induces sweat. It does so by regulating the Ying Qi, which causes the Wei Qi to spontaneously harmonize. The wind Qi is not contained and so it is resolved with the sweat. Inevitably Gui Zhi is able to open the pores to induce a sweat. When there is abundant sweating, use Gui Zhi in order to regulate and harmonize the Ying and Wei. The evil will leave with the sweat and the sweating will stop. In this way, Gui Zhi is able to stop sweat.”
- Gui Zhi Tang is also able to regulate and harmonize Yin and Yang and resolve the exterior while treating the interior. The Lei Jing points out: “Entering the body is none other than the exterior and interior. The exterior and interior is no more than Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are Ying and Wei and Ying and Wei are actually Qi and blood.” Regardless of whether it is an exterior pattern or an interior pattern, it all is a result of unregulated Yin and Yang. The treatment is inevitably to “carefully observe the regulation of Yin and Yang so they can be balanced again.” Gui Zhi Tang regulates and harmonizes the Ying and Wei. The foundation of this is the regulation and attention to Yin and Yang. Gui Zhi Tang contains Gui Zhi Gan Cao Tang. In this formula, pungent and sweet transform the Yang. It also contains Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang in which sour and sweet transform the Yin. When Yin and Yang are harmonized, the exterior and interior are also harmonized. Therefore Gui Zhi Tang not only treats contraction of and exterior evil, it also treats miscellaneous illnesses. It is as Xu Ling-Tai said: “This soup treats the exterior pattern by resolving the muscles and harmonizing the Ying and Wei. It treats the interior pattern by transforming Qi and regulating Yin and Yang.”
- Gui Zhi Tang regulates the spleen and stomach. It attends to and protects the root of the post heaven. Within the formula there is Gui, Jiang, Zao and Cao, which are all food ingredients. They fortify the spleen and open the stomach effectively. The spleen and stomach are the root of the post heaven. They are the source of generation and transformation. By regulating the spleen and stomach, Gui Zhi Tang achieves the goal of regulating Ying and Wei as well as the Yin and Yang. It is really as Zhang Xu-Gu said: “This formula establishes a method that begins in the spleen and stomach and goes to the Rong Wei, making a circuit around the whole body to blend the exterior and interior, regulate Yin and Yang and harmonize Qi and blood. This is why it is not only for exterior contraction. It is also a method that can also treat interior damage.”
Professor Liu Du-Zhou pointed out that the Shang Han Lun has two prerequisites: The first is to “harmonize Yin and Yang” and the second is to “protect the stomach Qi to preserve the fluids.” These to prerequisites are both contained in Gui Zhi Tang.
One can see that Zhang Zhong-Jing placed this formula at the head of the formulas for the masses. It is worthy of Ke Yun-Bo’s appellation that this is the “Chief formula for the masses.”
The use of this formula in the clinic is very broad. It is not only used for Zhong Feng, Shang Han and miscellaneous illnesses. It can be used for any problem in which there is lack of harmony of the Ying and Wei and Yin and Yang where there is sweating, aversion to wind and cold and a weak pulse. When using it, keep in mind the following points:
- Keep the dosage ratio of Gui Zhi and Bai Shao the same. Changing the amounts of either of them, changes the treatment parameters.
- If you are using Gui Zhi Tang to induce a sweat, you must give hot gruel in order to nourish the source of the sweat and to prevent damage.
- When inducing sweat, you do not want it to pour out. A very slight sweat is good.
- It is contraindicated to use Gui Zhi Tang when there is an exterior excess pattern or a hot disease.
28 Cases and Discussion
Case 1: Ying Wei disharmony
Dr. Liu Du-Zhou
Ms. Li was age 53. This patient had suffered from paroxysmal fever with sweating for more than a year. Every day she had episode 2-3 times a day. A previous doctor had given her herbs to treat fever from Yin deficiency but there was no effect after 20 packages. Inquiry revealed that that her eating and drinking were normal as were her bowels and urination. Observation revealed that her tongue was pale with a thin white moss. Palpation revealed that the pulse was moderate and soft and without strength. This was differentiated as a Ying and Wei disharmony in which the Wei was not protecting the Ying. The treatment principle was to harmonize the Ying and Wei and Yin and Yang. The method uses diaphoresis was used to stop sweating.
| Gui Zhi | 9 gm |
| Bai Shao | 9 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 9 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Da Zao | 12 dates |
I gave two packages with a hot thin gruel and had her put a cover on. She sweat slightly and the illness was gone.
From: 刘搜⾈舟临证验案精选. 1996: 3
Discussion: When there is a case of fever and sweating in which the tongue pale as opposed to red, the tongue moss is white rather than sparse and the pulse is moderate rather than thin, this is not a case of Yin deficiency heat. It is a lack of harmony of the Ying and Wei. The Ying and Wei are actually the body’s Yin and Yang. These must be seen as one and not separated. When Ying and Wei are harmonious, Yin and Yang are coordinated. Wei must be consolidated and Ying protected. If Ying and Wei are not harmonious, Yin and Yang go contrary to their mutuality. When the Ying Yin is not helping the Wei Yang there will be fever. When the Wei Yang is not consolidating the Ying Yin there is then sweating. When Gui Zhi Tang is used, there will be a sweat and then a cure.
Case 2: High Fever
Dr. Yue Mei-Zhong 岳美中
Ms. Zhang was age 15. She had suffered from a fever for more than half a year. Her temperature went as high as 40 degrees C. She had taken many herbs without effect. In the morning, although she was thirsty, she did not want to drink abundant amounts of fluid. Her bowels and urination were regulated. Her tongue was pale with yellow moss. She was hot and had an aversion to wind. Her pulse was floating and moderate and sometimes she sweat. This was wind strike in which the Ying and Wei were not harmonized. I gave Gui Zhi Tang according to the method and there was a cure.
From: 桂枝汤类⽅方证应⽤用研究, 1989: 6
Discussion: Although the fever was high in this case, there was no thirst for abundant liquids and the bowels and urination were normal. This was not an interior pattern. There was an aversion to wind and sweating with a floating moderate pulse. Thus it was an exterior pattern. Gui Zhi Tang benefits the Ying and regulates the Wei and so the illness was cured.
Case 3: Spontaneous Sweating
Dr. Liu Xiao-Xuan 刘少轩
The patient was named Lin and he was a youthful fisherman. His body was healthy and strong. In the summer one afternoon he sweat into his clothing and did not dry himself. He dove into the sea to catch fish. When he returned home, the sweating was profuse. From then on he had frequent spontaneous sweating winter and summer, day and night. He had gone for many consultations and treatments in order to consolidate the Wei Yang. Yu Ping Feng San was used with Long Gu, Mu Li and Ma Huang Gen. Afterwards Gui Zhi Tang with Huang Qi was also used and he recovered. When he went to a different hospital they suspected tuberculosis and he underwent an X-ray. This revealed that his heart and lung were normal. Another year past and he became weakened. The skin of his body became pale white and his pores increased in size as he sweat. When he sweat, it could be seen by the naked eye. Though he sweat a lot, he was not thirsty but his urination amount decreased. He sweat in the afternoon and it became worse in the evening while in the mornings it stopped. For a little while before he got out of bed, there was no sweating. He noticed that his legs were feeling slightly numb and he was dizzy. His pulse was floating and moderate and was without strength when pressed heavily. For treatment it was appropriate to slightly induce sweat while regulating the Ying and Wei.
| Gui Zhi Shao | 9 gm |
| Hang Bai Shao | 9 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 9 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 3 gm |
| Da Zao | 7 dates |
Instructions: Boil 6 minutes in one bowl of water. Drink it down in the morning upon waking. Wait a bit and then take a hot bowl of gruel. This will benefit the strength of the herbs. Stay in bed for half and hour, preventing any wind from disturbing.
After these herbs his whole body became warm and his limbs felt comfortable. The sweating stopped. I gave the original formula with 15 gm of Huang Qi with the same instructions but without the gruel. I gave him two more packages and this obtained the desired result. After this he gradually became stronger and after 7 years had no more sweating.
From:福建中医药 1964; (5): 35
Discussion: This illness arose because the patient’s pores were loose. Water damp flowed directly into the space of the Ying and Wei. The Ying and Wei are “in charge of opening and closing.” They were unable to function this way and so the pores opened wide and could not contain. This is why there was ceaseless sweating. Although this illness was prolonged, the pattern had not changed. Fortunately we know that if “there is profuse sweating but no thirst” and “the pulse is floating and moderate”, the “Zang Qi is not damaged.” The illness was still at the Tai Yang Ying and Wei space. This goes along with the saying “when one has frequent spontaneous sweating, this means that the Wei is not harmonized with the Ying.” Gui Zhi Tang is used for “recurring sweating.” When the Ying and Wei harmonize, there is a cure.
Case 4: One-sided sweating
Dr. Liu Du-Zhou 刘渡⾈舟
Mr. Sun, age 39. This patient had spontaneous sweating on the left side of his body while the right side of his body had no sweating at all. The demarcation line was very clear. Otherwise he did not feel unwell. Hi pulse was moderate and slightly floating. His tongue moss was thin and white. This was a lack of harmony of the left and right, Yin and Yang and Qi and blood. One should harmonize the Yin and Yang. This will harmonize the Qi and blood and there will be a cure. Gui Zhi Tang is used.
| Gui Zhi | 9 gm |
| Bai Shao | 9 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 9 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Da Zao | 12 dates |
After 3 packages taken with hot gruel, he sweat slightly and was cured.
From: 经⽅方临证指南 1993: 2
Discussion: The Su Wen chapter on Yin and Yang states: “The left and right are the avenues of Yin and Yang.” Ying and Wei, Yin and Yang all move in circles throughout the whole body, circling again and again. In this case there was sweating on one side of the body. The means that the Ying and Wei were not harmonized. This is a case presentation in which the Yin and Yang were not regulated. If treatment does not happen in a timely way, the Ying and Wei go in opposite directions and the Yin and Yang are not safeguarded. This probably explains the hemiplegia pattern. The meaning of this is explained in the Su Wen ⽣生⽓气通天论 says “sweating on one side of the body leads to hemiplegia.” This illness often arises due to exposure to wind and cold. Gui Zhi Tang will dispel wind, resolve the muscles and allow Yin and Yang to flow around their cycle as they should. This is the correct treatment method as it corresponds to the presentation. Therefore, after 3 packages there was a cure.
Case 5: Lack of sweat
Dr. Sun Bai-Shan 孙百善
This patient is named Lu and he was 9 years old. He came for a visit on July 5, 1985. His mother reported that since childhood every summer, when he sweat he broke out in a red skin rash over his whole body. It was dry and itchy so he scratched it often so that there were bloody scabs. He suffered greatly and it was difficult to endure. He had visited the local hospital where he was diagnosed with an autonomic nerve dysfunction and given Oryzanol. This was not effective. Diagnosis: His whole body was red and dry. There were stripes of bloody scab lines on his limbs, chest and abdomen. His respiration was rough and he was agitated. His mouth and nose were dry. His tongue was pale red with a thin white moss and his pulse was floating and rapid. Although this appeared as heat, the determination of etiology was not internal excess heat. Rather, this was lack of regulation of the Ying and Wei. Sweating did not function to drain and so the pores needed to be opened. For this I used Gui Zhi Tang:
| Gui Zhi | 5g |
| Bai Shao | 5g |
| Gan Cao | 5g |
| Sheng Jiang | 3 slices |
| Da Zao | 5 dates |
| 5 packages decocted in water | |
I summarize the results after taking the herbs below: The boy sweat and compared to before, his skin felt comfortable and softer. Because drinking the decoction was difficult for children, I switched to giving him the formula in powder form. I ground up the Gui Zhi, Bai Shao and Gan Cao into powder and put them in gelatin capsules. He took 10 grams, twice a day. He drank this down with a liquid made from decocted Sheng Jiang and Da Zao. He took this for 20 days. His whole body was able to issue sweat and the pathology was all dispersed. He was like a normal person. A follow up 3 months later showed no relapse.
⼭山东中医杂志1989 (5) 45
Discussion: In this case the lack of sweating had occurred since childhood and yet there is no history of externally contracted wind cold or floating tight pulse. So we knew that this was no stagnation of the Ying and Wei on the exterior wind cold excess pattern. Rather, this was a “Moistness weak, Protective strong” Gui Zhi Tang presentation. The Ying Qi was internally weak and was not able to aide the Protective Yang. This caused the protective Yang to lack Ying and stagnate in the sweat pores. This externally strong” protective qi constrained in the pores gave rise to the red itchy skin that even went so far as to leave bloody scabs, cause agitation and a floating rapid pulse. All of these symptoms appear as heat. However, this was not the same as a patient with vexation thirst with a desire to drink, red urine or knotted bowel in which you would use bitter cold herbs. This was a decline of the Ying/Wei. One must avoid using Ma Huang Tang to open the pores because it will damage the Ying and Wei. Gui Zhi Tang is the only thing that is suitable to promote sweating and resolve the flesh. It will benefit the Ying and free the Wei, mutually benefiting both the Ying and Wei so that they can perform their functions. When sweating issues, the flesh is disinhibited and the vexatious heat is spontaneously dispelled. In truth, Gui Zhi Tang’s function of inducing sweat resides in its ability to resolve the flesh and regulate and harmonize the Ying and Wei.
Case 6: Aversion to Cold
Dr. Zhu Zhan-Yu 祝湛予
Mr. Luo, age 50, came for a consultation in August of 1971. It was during the summer heat but he still wore thick padded clothing. He had extreme aversion to cold. He constantly sweat and the more he sweat, the colder he became. When he took off his padded coat, he became cold to the bone and clammy. Although it was during the heat of the summer he did not dare take off his coat. He was suffering deeply. This person did not eat much and was weak. I diagnosed Qi deficiency and Ying and Wei not harmonized. I treated him with Gui Zhi Tang and gave him 5 packages. He came back after 5 days. He was already no longer afraid of wind. He even rode is bicycle to the appointment. He had taken off his padded coat and the sweating decreased. He took another 3 packages and was cured.
中级医刊 1979;(1):45
Discussion: This is a Ying and Wei disharmony in which the Wei was not consolidated and the Ying was not protected in the interior and so there was sweating. This was a case with abundant sweating. The Wei Yang followed the sweat out. The muscle layer was without Yang and so there was aversion to wind and cold. Gui Zhi Tang boosts the Ying and harmonizes the Wei. Then the two move properly together.
Case 7: Early Wind Warmth
Dr. Ren Ji-Xue 任继学
Mr. Chou, age 63, came for his first visit on November 21, 1987. Because he exercised intensively he sweat a lot and took off his clothing. In the evening he got a headache and dizziness with a congested and runny nose. He had a cough with itchy throat, body soreness, aching joints and when he moved he felt that he wanted to sweat but it did not arrive. His facial complexion was not red, his mouth and lips were red and moist. His tongue was pale red and his throat was not red. His tongue moss was thin and white and moist. The skin at his Chi was slightly hot and his pulse was deep, moderate and without strength. This illness came 2 days before the time of slight snow. This is just at the time when the Qi movement should finish. It would be following along with the change of the season. Instead there was warmth and the disease was warm. For treatment it was appropriate to supplement, using sweet to discharge and sour to contain.
| Gui Zhi | 15 g |
| Bai Shao | 10 gm |
| Gan Cao | 5 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 3 slices |
| Da Zao | 3 dates |
After taking one package of the herbs with a bowl of gruel to increase the herb’s strength, he was cured.
From 江⻄西中医药 1988; (2) : 10
Discussion: This is a case in which wind warmth is beginning. He contracted the wind warmth because his body resistance was low. The Wen Bing Tiao Bian says, “In Tai Yin wind warmth, wind heat, epidemic warmth and winter warmth, in the beginning there is aversion to wind and cold. Gui Zhi Tang governs.” When warm disease begins there can also be symptoms of wind cold such as “sweating.” However, it is appropriate to resolve the muscles and regulate and harmonize the Yin and Yang. It is as Wu Tang said, “In warm disease, avoid sweating. It is most relevant to resolve the muscles and Gui Zhi Tang resolves the muscles. Gui Zhi’s fragrance transforms turbidity while Shao Yao contains the Yin and absorbs the sweat. Gan Cao defeats toxins and harmonizes the middle. Jiang and Zao harmonizes the Ying and Wei. This can be used at the beginning of warm disease. According to Dr. Wen, Gui Zhi Tang is not only for deficiency patients with wind cold illness. It can also treat deficiency people with wind heat illness. Clinically it is used to treat winter and spring colds and flu that are an attack of wind cold or wind heat. The results are very good.
Case 8: Running Piglet
Qin Bo-Wei 秦伯未
Mr. Suo, age 70. Due to the recent sudden death of his wife, he was extremely sorrowful. First he vomited and then he developed abdominal pain. This lasted over a year. He had a lump in his lower abdomen that was painful. When the lump decreased in size, the pain also decreased. Qi surged up from his lower abdomen to below his heart. He suffered greatly and felt like he was going to die. Over time the surging Qi diminished and descended and the pain decreased as well. This was running piglet. After 16 packages of Gui Zhi Tang the running piglet greatly improved.
谦斋医学讲稿 1964: 144
Discussion: When the Yang is very weak, there is no command and the Qi of the lower Jiao cold-water surges upward. This leads to running piglet. Gui Zhi Tang warms and stimulates the heart Yang and levels the surging and down bears rebellion. It was suitable for this presentation. If it is extreme, add two liang of Gui Zhi to improve the effect.
Case 9: Diarrhea
By Zhong Shen-Qin
This woman had had diarrhea for several years. Due to not eating much she became thin and emaciated. Her skin was dry and scaly and she was not able to get out of bed. Over time she had tried treatments with (Ren) Shen, Fu (Zi), He (Zi) and Ying (Su Ke). The master’s diagnosis was Bai He Pian in reference to the Yin and a Yang method to rescue. He gave a large dosage of Gui Zhi Tang and the diarrhea stopped. Then he added Bai He Zhi Mu Tang and had her regulate her diet. Gradually she recovered. Discussion: When there is chronic diarrhea, the body becomes emaciated and the skin becomes scaly and dry. This is the manifestation of the ying/wei and Qi/blood lacking harmony. When the Ying and Wei lack harmony and the Qi and blood are chaotic, this can cause ceaseless diarrhea to arise. Using Gui Zhi Tang to induce sweat and resolve the muscles, regulate and harmonize the Ying and Wei will stop the diarrhea. This is the method that uses “counter flow to draw up the boat”.
Case 10: Extreme Deficiency
Dr. Liu Du-Zhou 刘搜⾈舟
Mr. Liu was 18 years old. He was married early and was very timid. After marriage, for half a year he had lower back soreness and leg weakness. He also had dizziness, tinnitus, frequent short urination, gradual aversion to cold, a numb cold feeling on his lower legs, poor appetite with abdominal distention, a sweet sticky taste in his mouth, abundant dreams with sexual desire and feebleness during the day. In the summer, even when it was hot outside, he wore a padded jacket and when he moved he easily sweat. He had taken supplementing herbs such as Ren Shen and Lu Rong but there was no effect. This man’s form was emaciated and he was timid. His face was wan and his spirit was weak. His voice was timid and weak. His two pulses were deep, thin and weak. His tongue was red and tender with scanty moisture. Coordinating the pulse and presentation with the fact that he labored excessively, this was consumed Qi with damage to the Jing. His Zang Fu function was irregular and his Yin and Yang were feeble. It was correct to supplement the Kidney to foster the root but he had previously used Ren Shen and Lu Rong without effect. I put Gui Zhi Tang to use in order to recuperate the Yin and Yang:
5 packages
After the herbs, the illness greatly decreased. However, this was a case of deficiency damage so it is difficult to get quick results. I continued with the above formula, adding 15 gm Shan Yao, 12 gm Chao Bai Zhu and 10 gm Ji Nei Jin in order to foster and supplement the post heaven. I also gave him Gui Fu Ba Wei Wan to supplement the Kidney Qi. In half a month he reported: “I am full of vigor and my appetite has increased. All illness is gone.”
湖北中医杂志 1992, (5): 6
Discussion: In this case, early marriage meant that he indulged in sensual pleasures, which lead to depletion. Even though it was summer, he wore a fur coat and when he moved, he sweat. His tongue body was red and tender and his pulse was deep and weak. This was a Yang deficiency pattern. He also had a sore low back, weak legs, dizziness, tinnitus, abundant dreams, and red tongue with scanty moss. All of this was Yin deficiency. Yin and Yang were not regulated and this caused the Ying and Wei to have a difficult time harmonizing. The treatment was to regulate and harmonize Yin and Yang. Without this, it would be difficult to be effective. He had already used Ren Shen and Lu Rong to greatly supplement and this can be used as a reference. Prof. Liu recognized the pattern clearly. He cleverly used Gui Zhi Tang to enrich Yin and harmonize Yang and regulate and harmonize the Ying and Wei.
| Gui Zhi | 15 gm |
| Bai Shao | 15 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 6 gm |
| Da Zao | 10 dates |
This correctly and accurately hit the disease target. When the Yin was calmed and the Yang was hidden, the Jing and spirit were protected on the interior. This way the deficiency and exhaustion were cured. Moreover, when the illness had significantly improved, he increased the herbs to bank up and fortify early so that the post heaven could nourish the pre heaven and the Yin and Yang of the Kidney could flourish. This way he was brought back from a chronic illness.
Case 11: Reversal Pattern (Urination related Dizzy Reversal)
Dr. Jin Shu-Wu ⾦金树武
Patient named Meng, age 12, came for a consultation on June 4, 1987. The last two months she would faint when she urinated. She lost awareness of her surroundings. There were no sounds and she did not vomit spittle. She would be unconscious 3-5 minutes. After she woke up her arms and legs lacked warmth. She sweat over her limbs and body. She also suffered from dizziness and weakness. After she rested a short while she would be fine. This influenced her studies. She went to the hospital but all of the tests were negative. The diagnosis was dizziness and fainting with urination. She was given sedatives, Oryzanol, vitamins, Shen Fu Tang and Si Wei Hui Yang Yin. These were all without effect. Examination: Her mental condition was clear and her face was red and moist. Her tongue was pale red with a thin white moss and her pulse was wiry and moderate. The diagnosis was reversal pattern. The Chinese medical differentiation was that the Qi of the Yin and Yang was unable to flow along the correct path and connect. This required a harmonizing method in order to calm the episodes and regulate and harmonize the Yin and Yang. Gui Zhi Tang was used.
| Gui Zhi | 15 gm |
| Bai Shao | 15 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 10 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 3 slices |
| Da Zao | 4 dates |
Decocted in water. After taking the herbs the frequency of the fainting clearly decreased. It only came at the 4th earthly branch, west (5-7) in the morning and evening. The time of the 4th earthly branch, west is the time when Yin and Yang connect together. The herbs met the patho-mechanism but the effect was not complete. Three more packages were given and there was a cure.
Discussion: The Shang Han Da Lun says, “When there is reversal, Yin and Yang was unable to flow along the correct path and connect. When this is extreme there is reversal.” Gui Zhi Tang harmonizes and regulates the Yin and Yang. They flow along correctly and connect above and below. They open through to the interior and exterior. This is why they are able to treat reversal. When there is sweating with a moderate pulse, this is especially effective.
Case 12: Gradually Worsening Esophageal Spasm
Dr. Yu Shi-Wei 俞世伟
Mr. Huang, age 56 came for a consultation on June 18, 1984. He had paroxysmal difficulty swallowing for more than 2 years. When the illness came on, his spirit was in a bad way and gradually he felt that it was difficult to swallow dry food. This got worse day by day. He went to the hospital for a check-up and the diagnosis was gradual worsening esophageal spasm. (functional esophageal syndrome). She was given nitrate type medicines and dark room treatment but there was no clear effect. He reported that he could not sleep and had many dreams, poor appetite and abdominal distention. He was dizzy with spontaneous sweating and when he swallowed food, he would choke. He belched with frequent sounds. When it was extreme, the Qi would come from her nose. Her tongue was pale with a thin white moss. The pulse was moderate. This was a lack of regulation of Yin and Yang with inhibited stomach Qi.
| Gui Zhi | 9 gm |
| Bai Shao | 9 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 9 gm |
| Da Zao | 12 dates |
| Hou Po | 10 gm |
| Wu Yao | 10 gm |
| Chen Xiang | 10 gm |
One package for one day. This was decocted in water. After 4 packages of herbs the symptoms improved and the swallowing opened through. He took more than 20 packages. All the pathology cleared. 山西中医 1992; (5): 50
Discussion: When difficulty swallowing shows with spontaneous sweating and a moderate pulse, nasal noises and dry throat, the illness resides in the lack of regulation of Yin and Yang with an inhibited Qi mechanism. The stomach Qi was fundamentally deficient and then the emotional stress caused damage. Gui Zhi Tang regulated and harmonized the Yin and Yang. It opened and smoothed out the Qi mechanism. We can say that it captures the crux of the illness.
Case 13: Urticaria
Liu Du-Zhou 刘渡舟
The patient was a 60-year-old man. The patient had painful urticaria that he scratched. The pulse was floating and moderate. This was accompanied by sweating and aversion to wind. The tongue moss was thin white and moist. This was a wind evil trapped in the openings of the muscles. The Ying and Wei were not harmonized. Because this was induced by wind rash, the treatment needed to dispel wind and regulate and harmonize the Ying and Wei. The formula was Gui Zhi Tang.
| Gui Zhi | 9 gm |
| Bai Shao | 9 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 9 gm |
| Da Zao | 12 dates |
After taking the herbs with hot gruel and then getting under covers, the patient sweat. The rash dispersed and the itching stopped.
经⽅方临证指南 1993: 2
Discussion: A rash is Yang and wind is a Yang evil. When it invades the muscles and skin and it is detained without being dispelled, this can cause itching. At the same time, wind entering causes the Ying and Wei to lack harmony. This causes sweating and aversion to wind with a pulse that is floating and moderate. Gui Zhi Tang resolves the muscles and dispels wind. It regulates and harmonizes the Ying and Wei. There was no treatment of rash or itch bu the rash dispersed and the itching stopped.
Case 14: Menstrual itch
Dr. Zhang Bo-Hua 张伯华
Li was age 22 and came for her first visit on October 20, 1988. At age 16, after starting her menstruation, her whole body broke out in a rash. She took some western medical anti-allergy medication and the next day the rash was gone. After that, every time her menstruation came, she would break out in a rash. She again used western medicine without effect. When her menses finished the rash dispersed only to return next cycle. This happened again and again up until her visit. Observation: Her whole body was covered with patches of red rash that was very itchy. Her tongue was pale with a thin white moss and her pulse was floating and weak. This was differentiated as Yang floating with Yin weakness. The Ying and Wei were not harmonized. Gui Zhi Tang was used to regulate and harmonize the Ying and Wei.
3 packages After stopping the herbs, the itching dispersed. The next cycle her menstruation came early by one week. I continued with 2 packages and the itching did not appear. A follow up after 1⁄2 a year revealed no recurrence.
Discussion: When the menses arrive, the Yin and blood become depleted and the Yang Qi can have a floating movement. This causes a Ying and Wei disharmony. If the outer layer openings have stasis and constraint of the Qi and blood, this gives rise to rash and itching. When one is affected by a wind evil the Ying and Wei are not harmonized and the Qi and blood loose their regulation. This is when Gui Zhi Tang is used.
Case 15: Fever during pregnancy
Dr. Zhong-JingJie 大冢敬
The patient was in her 7th month of pregnancy. Every afternoon an intense fever would rise up. It would get as high as 38°C. This had gone on for 10 days without improvement. One doctor diagnosed this as tuberculosis and recommended an abortion. However the patient did not want this. She contacted me for a consultation. The observation revealed that her pulse was floating, big and weak without being rapid. She also had a cough but it was not intense. She had an appetite. Her left lung lobe showed infiltration. I gave her Gui Zhi Tang, which she took for 3 weeks. Her fever began to go down. She gave birth normally.
哈尔槟中医 1960; 8:71
| Gui Zhi | 10 gm |
| Bai Shao | 10 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 10 gm |
| Da Zao | 12 dates |
Discussion: This case of fever in pregnancy was due to Yang floating with Yin weakness. When the Yang Qi floats there can be fever. In addition, the Yin and blood were depleted and so the pulse was floating big and weak. Gui Zhi Tang addressed the disease mechanism precisely so it was used to harmonize the Wei Yang and nourish the Ying Yin and so there was a cure.
Case 16: Pediatric fright wind
Dr. Wu Pei-Heng 吴佩衡
Mr. Ke’s eldest son was 11⁄2 years old. On the morning of the 6th day of the 7th lunar month of 1922, he awoke and felt a wind and was frightened. He had a fever, spontaneous sweating, confusion, bending and stretching with twitching of his arms and legs. His finger prints were red and floating, his lips were red and his tongue was pale and white. His pulse was floating and moderate. This was wind cold hindering the movement of the Tai Yang channel. His Ying and Wei were without fullness. His Zang and Fu were soft so he could not manage the wind and cold. The result was sudden fever with twitching that became acute wind fright symptoms. This was a Tai Yang muscle exterior pattern for which Zhong Jing’s Gui Zhi Tang governs. The evil was in the muscles and pores and so there was a slight sweat and a cure.
| Gui Zhi | 10 gm |
| Hang Shao | 10 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 10 gm |
| Xiao Zao | 7 dates |
吴佩衡医案 1983: 2
Discussion: A child’s Zang and Fu are tender and the Ying and Wei are not full. In addition, when a child first wakes up, the muscles and pores are loose. This is why a wind evil can be contracted. This can cause the Tai Yang channel and vessels to spasm and loose their softness. This can manifest as bending and stretching with twitching of the arms and rolling up of the eyes. The Su Wen ⾄至真要⼤大论 says, “All rigidity belongs to wind.” Therefore there is fever with sweating with a floating moderate pulse. This is a Tai Yang muscle exterior pattern. Gui Zhi Tang dispels wind and resolves the muscles. When the evil is in the muscles and pores of the Tai Yang, after inducing a slight sweat, there is resolution from the muscles and pores.
Case 17: Pediatric frequent urination
Dr. Cheng Wei-Dong 程卫东
Liu was a 5 year-old boy who came in on May 19th, 1986. His father represented him saying “Due to a urinary tract infection a half year ago, he developed frequent urination with urgency and pain. After taking Chinese herbs the urgency and pain dispersed but there was still frequency of urination. This gradually got worse. He urinated 3-5 times every half hour. This patient had an aversion to wind, spontaneous sweating and bedwetting. His tongue body was pale with thin white moss and his pulse was deep and thin. The urine test was negative. He was
treated to supplement his Kidney to consolidate and astringe. He was given Suo Quan Wan with additions but after 3 packages this was not effective. Considering the spontaneous sweating, I gave him Gui Zhi Tang to harmonize the Ying and Wei.
| Gui Zhi | 4 gm |
| Bai Shao | 6 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 4 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 3 gm |
| Da Zao | 3 dates |
1 package for 1 day. After 6 packages the aversion to wind and spontaneous sweating dispersed and the urination frequency decreased by half. The effect was not quite complete so I continued with 10 more packages and there was a cure. 国医论坛 1988; 4: 50
Discussion: The Su Wen 脉要精微论 says, “When the spring does not stop, the bladder is not storing.” There are many why the bladder does not store including deficiency and excess patterns. This case appeared with spontaneous sweating and aversion to cold so it was a Tai Yang exterior pattern. The Wei Qi could not harmonize with the Ying. Wei Qi “warms the flesh layer, fills the skin and fattens the straie of the skin in order to open and close the pores.” When the ability to open and close fails, this means that the Tai Yang Qi is not restraining. On the outside there is spontaneous sweating and on the interior there is frequent urination. In addition, when there is no warming and nourishing, there is a subjective feeling of aversion to cold. At this time constricting and consolidating will not work. Rather, the treatment principle should be to harmonize the Ying and Wei. When Gui Zhi Tang is given, the Ying will be full and the Wei will consolidate. There is mutual coordination of the formula and the pattern and so the effect was good.
Case 18: Corneal viral keratitis (dendritic keratitis)
Dr. Wei Cheng-Pu 魏承朴
Ms. Gao was age 36. For two weeks her right eye was dry and rough. There was a history of flu. She underwent treatment at the hospital but it was not effective. On March 20, 1990 she came to see me for a consultation. Check-up: Farsighted .6, Vision strength .6/30cm, Conjunctive congestion (++), There was grey colored spots infusing the cornea, 2% florescent stain (++), Corneal perception KP (-) 房闪 (-) She also had a runny nose with fear of wind, spontaneous sweating, pale red tongue body, white slippery tongue moss and a floating pulse. The diagnosis was corneal viral keratitis of the right eye, dendritic keratitis. The treatment needed to course wind and dispel the evil, regulate the Ying and Wei, remove the eye screen and clear the eye.
| Gui Zhi | 9 gm |
| Bai Shao | 9 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 10 gm |
| Da Zao | 12 dates |
| Chan Yi | 6 gm |
After 6 packages, the Farsighted .8, Conjunctive congestion decreased, Grey colored spots infusing the cornea decrease, 2% florescent stain (-). A follow-up 2 years later showed no recurrence. Discussion: Eye obstruction from dendritic keratitis has complex pathology. The disease conditions are confusing and easily recur. When it is serious, this can cause blindness. Clinically there is no effective treatment. In this case, the illness was due to contraction of wind evil. Doing the differentiation of patterns, it was seen that there was also spontaneous sweating, aversion to wind and a floating moderate pulse. This is why Gui Zhi Tang with Chan Yi was used. It dispels wind and clears the eye. If there is a different cause to the eye obstruction then one still has to treat according to the pattern, flexibly using the herbs. One should not be a stickler.
Case 19: Ablepsia (lack of sight)
Dr. Peng Lu-Xiang 彭履祥
Male patient, age 20. When this patient first developed eye disease he had red swelling and pain of the eye. He underwent western medical treatment and the swelling and pain faded away. However his vision gradually became weak and then he could not see. To the observer, his eyes appeared normal with nothing unusual. He did not have other complaints. This went on without a cure. All of the previous herbs had been given based on the idea that “the eyes are the door of fire.” He was given formulas to clear heat and discharge fire. Looking at the beginning of the disease we can see that the patient had intense red swelling and pain but he was still able to see. When the swelling and pain decreased so did his eyesight. The cure caused the sight to become weak. The bitter cold Yin softening herbs then damaged the middle Qi and made the Ying and Wei chaotic. The Jing and blood were unable to rise and flourish in the eye. This was why the eyes could not see. The medicine was inappropriate for this eye disease. I used the method of regulating and harmonizing the Ying and Wei.
| Gui Zhi | 9 gm |
| Bai Shao | 9 gm |
| Gan Cao | 9 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 9 gm |
| Da Zao | 18 dates |
After 3 packages the eyes became bright. Though his vision was still blurry, he was able to see. After 6 more packages his vision was relatively clear. I still continued with 6 more packages. A check up after 1⁄2 a month he could read the newspaper. A follow-up 1-year later showed no recurrence.
经⽅方应用 1981: 4
Discussion: The Ling Shu ⼤大惑论 says, “The Jing Qi of all the five Zang and 6 Fu rises and pours into the eyes. In this case of eye disease, the use of bitter cold herbs damaged the spleen and stomach so that the source of transformation was not flourishing. The Ying and Wei lost their regulation. The Jing Qi was not able to rise to the eyes. Gradually the eyes were unable to see. Gui Zhi Tang supplements the spleen and stomach so that the Ying and Wei flourish and the Jing Qi can pour upward. This way, the decreased vision becomes clear.
Case 20: Crohn’s Disease
Dr. Fu Yan-Ling
Wang xx Female 59 years old
Chief complaint: Diarrhoea and abdominal pain for one and half years
History: The patient suffered from abdominal pain, diarrhoea, low-grade fever, poor appetite, emaciated during the past year and was diagnosed with chronic enteritis and TB of the large intestine. The antibiotic therapy was not effective.
Observation: Right side abdominal pain, diarrhoea, absence of tenesmus and blood and pus in the stool. Her temperature was 37.5o C. Other symptoms were aversion to wind, tendency to sweat easily, fatigue, body aches and joint pain. She had a thin white tongue coat and her pulse was floating and weak.
Diagnosis: Concurrent Tai Yang and Tai Yin pattern with disharmony of ying and wei with spleen and stomach deficiency.
Treatment: Regulate ying and wei, warm the yang and supplement the middle.
Gui Zhi Tang modified:
| Gui Zhi | 10 gm |
| Bai Shao | 10 gm |
| Gan Cao | 8 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 5 gm |
| Da Zao | 20 gm |
| Gan Jiang | 5 gm |
| Dang Shen | 10 gm |
| Bai Zhu | 10 gm |
After the medication, the abdominal pain and diarrhoea were alleviated and her appetite improved. Other symptoms of generalized ache and fatigue were reduced. There was slight nausea and her pulse was slightly slippery.
Repeat the same formula, add Huang Lian 1g. Seven packs.
Follow-up treatment: Modified version of Gui Zhi Tang, Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang to consolidate for a further two months.
Discussion:
The patient manifested prominent signs of Tai Yang and Tai Yin.
- Tai Yang: Low grade fever, aversion to wind-cold; sweating, generalized and joint pain.
- Tai Yin: Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, reduced appetite
Formula: Modified Gui Zhi Tang + Li Zhong Tang.
Rationale for not using Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang: Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang is indicated where the interior deficiency is greater than the exterior symptoms. The above case would not be effective if Gui Zhi alone were used. Therefore it is appropriate to combine Gui Zhi Tang with Li Zhong Tang, with Sheng Jiang targeting the exterior and Gan Jiang warming the interior.
Second consultation: The pulse was slightly slippery and it was feared that Gui Zhi and Li Zhong were too warm, generating too much heat, therefore Huang Lian was added to counter the warm properties of Gui Zhi and Gan Jiang. Huang Lian + Sheng Jiang together descend counterflow stomach qi and stop vomiting.
Case 21: Diarrhea
Sun Jiao-jun drank plum syrup and developed diarrhea. She had fear of wind and a cold sweat issued. She also had head distention, chest oppression, bone soreness, weak legs and a poor appetite with vomiting. This was just like Shen Jun and so the formula is also the same as I used for Shen Jun. Sun could not find Hong Zao at the at the night market. After taking the herbs he had a hot sweat over his body. He was comfortable and went to bed. When he woke up he had no illness and he went out.
Case 22: Diarrhea
Dr. Cao Ying-fu
Mr. Xie: During the hot days of summer, the extreme heat oppressed a person. He sweat profusely and repeatedly breathed the heat. Mr. Xie was covered with quilts, shivering with a cold body. There was no vomiting but there was diarrhea 10 times a day. He had abdominal pain then the diarrhea was heavy. His urination was short. His pulse was not deep but rather was floating. The text says this is Tai Yin illness with a floating pulse. One can induce sweat and it is suitable to use Gui Zhi Tang. The presentation matches the Gui Zhi Tang presentation.
| Gui Zhi 4.5 g |
| Da Bai Shao 4.5 g |
| Zhi Gan Cao 4.5 g |
| Sheng Jiang 2 slices |
| Hong Zao 4 dates |
| Chao Gu Ya 9 g |
| Chao Mai Ya 9 g |
| Chi Fu Ling 9 g |
Case 23: Diarrhea
Dr. Cao Ying-fu
In 1936, June 24th, the season became suddenly very hot. My friend, Shen Yun. He was thin like a crane. He ate ice cream that evening and was then in a slight wind. He was sick the next day. He had head distension, fear of wind, slight sweating. His forehead felt cool to the touch. He had sticky diarrhea. He had a relapse of long standing heart palpitations. His pulse was knotted. I gave him Gui Zhi Tang which he drank in the evening and in the morning all the illness was gone except for the heart palpitations. I then gave him 4 packages of Zhi Gan Cao Tang and there was complete recovery. Both of these formulas are related to Gui Zhi. From
| Gui Zhi 4.5 g |
| Bai Shao 4.5 g |
| Zhi Gan Cao 4.5 g |
| Sheng Jiang 1 slice |
| Hong Zao 4 dates |
Case 24: Esophageal Spasm
Dr. Fu’s cases Mr. Liang, Male age 57 May 2004 Principle Complaint: Esophageal Spasm History: Paroxysmal difficulty swallowing for 2 years. 1⁄2 year after this began, Mrs. Liang underwent and gastroscopy that did not reveal anything abnormal. Esophageal spasm was diagnosed (diffuse type). Western drugs had no effect. During the check up he stated that he felt a blockage behind his breastbone when he swallowed, that it was difficult to swallow down. These symptoms were accompanied by a poor appetite, upper abdominal distention and fullness, lack of thirst. Sometimes he felt a surging from his epigastric area into his chest and throat. Tongue body was pale red with a thin white moss and pulse was thin and slow
Differentiation of the presentation: Lack of regulation of Yin and Yang and inhibited stomach qi
Treatment principle: warm the middle and scatter cold, relax spasms and down bear rebellion.
Treatment: Gui Zhi Tang modified
| Gui Zhi | 15 gm |
| Bai Shao | 15 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 12 gm |
| Da Zao | 30 dates |
| Wu Yao | 10 gm |
| Chen Xiang | 10 gm |
Decoct in water and drink warm in 3 doses.
Result: She took 3 packages and there was a clear effect. After 7 packages this was even more pronounced. Her throat was open and the surging qi descended. I continued with 21 packages and there was a cure. I advised her to avoid cold and raw food and to keep his body warm.
Case 25: Common Cold
Feng Shi-Lun
Xie x; female 51 years old. First consultation: 26th of September, 2004
The patient contracted a cold after having been soaked by rain.
Signs and Symptoms: Fever (38.6 o C), aversion to cold, severe headache, generalized body aches, clear nasal discharge. After one week of Western treatment, she suffered from low-grade fever (37.5o C), accompanied by sweating and aversion to wind, particularly after exertion. Her sweating had worsened particularly after exertion, and there was a dull headache. Her nasal discharge had worsened after exposure to cold wind, and she had a white tongue coat and a floating and weak pulse.
Diagnosis: Fever, sweating, aversion to wind and a floating and weak pulse is indicative of a Tai Yang pattern. The pattern is one of deficiency and wind strike pertaining to a gui zhi tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) pattern.
Formula: Gui Zhi Tang:
| Gui Zhi | 9 gm |
| Bai Shao | 9 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 9 gm |
| Da Zao | 4 dates |
After one pack of medication, her body temperature returned to normal. The same formula was continued for two more packs to consolidate the treatment. Recovery was complete.
Case 26: Pediatric Persistent Fever
sick little boy laying on the sofa
Mr. He, male, 8 years old. Initial consult: October 23, 1965 For the past week the patient had a cold with a persistent fever. Every morning at 11:30 he developed a fever of approximately 38 C. He would then sweat, and after 12 noon the fever would subside. His appetite and spirits were good. Bowel movements were every other day. He had no other issues. Tongue: coating white and wet. Pulse: weak and rapid. Vacuity of fluids with heat: Weak and rapid pulse Disharmony of the ying and wei: Recurring fever at a fixed time of day, followed by sweating. The diagnosis was a Tai Yang wind-strike Gui Zhi Tang pattern.
| Gui Zhi | 9 gm |
| Bai Shao | 9 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 9 gm |
| Da Zao | 4 dates |
Results: Two packages of the prescription were taken. There was no longer any fever in the morning. In the afternoon after 1:00 he had a low-grade fever (37.2 – 37.5 C). The tongue coating was thin and yellow. The pulse was still slightly rapid.
The patient took 3 packages of Gui Zhi Tang combined with Xiao Chai Hu Jia Sheng Shi Gao Tang. Afterwards the illness was resolved.
Case 27: Low Grade Fever
Ms. Xie, female, 51 years old. Initial consult: September 26, 2004 After getting wet in the rain the patient developed a fever, temperature of 38.6 C, aversion to cold, severe headache, body aches, and clear nasal discharge. After one week of western medical treatment she had a low- grade fever (37.5 C), with sweating, and an aversion to wind. The sweating was visible with activity. She had a persistent headache. Her clear nasal discharge worsened when exposed to wind and cold.
Tongue: coating white. Pulse: floating and weak. The western medical diagnosis was an upper respiratory viral infection. Greater yang (tai yang) wind-strike pattern: Floating and weak pulse, white tongue coating, aversion to wind, aversion to cold, fever with sweating, headache, clear nasal discharge. The diagnosis was a greater Tai Yang wind-strike Gui Zhi Tang pattern.
| Gui Zhi | 9 gm |
| Bai Shao | 9 gm |
| Zhi Gan Cao | 6 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 9 gm |
| Da Zao | 4 dates |
Results: The patient’s fever subsided after 1 package of the prescription. After taking 2 more packages, the illness was resolved.
Case 28: Nausea in Pregnancy
Ms Li was age 24. She came for a consultation on September 18, 1985. She had stopped menstruating for 45 days previously and then she felt her whole body had an aversion to cold. After that she would feel nauseous every morning when she got up and she would vomit. The vomit contained abundant clear spittle. She was dizzy and fatigued and somnolent with no appetite. The urine test was positive for pregnancy. This was nausea of pregnancy. The tongue moss was thin white and slippery. Her pulse was thin and slippery. The treatment was to harmonize and regulate her Qi and blood, down bear reversal and stop vomiting. She was given modified Gui Zhi Tang.
| Gui Zhi | 6 gm |
| Bai Shao | 6 gm |
| Gan Cao | 3 gm |
| Sheng Jiang | 6 gm |
| Da Zao | 4 dates |
| Fa Ban Xia | 10 gm |
| Fu Ling | 10 gm |
| Chen Pi | 5 gm |
| Sha Ren ( added after) | 5 gm |
She was also given 30 gm of the clear juice of Fu Long Gan to take the place of water to decoct the herbs.
After two packages there was no longer aversion to cold and the vomiting of clear liquids stopped. She took 3 more packages and there was no more illness.
邵继棠医案，录口{四川巾医}11: 34:1986
Discussion: After a woman becomes pregnant, the Chong vessel looses harmony. Upward reversal harasses the stomach so that the stomach cannot harmoniously down bear. Gui Zhi Tang is not only able to regulate Yin and Yang and harmonize Ying and Wei, it can also down bear the surging Qi and supplement the spleen and stomach. This is why it is a good recipe for nausea in pregnancy. This case shows us the truth in the saying that the “Chong vessel is subservient to the Yang Ming.” This theory has immediate significance. This formula treats nausea due to spleen and stomach deficiency and weakness. It is effective for someone whose tongue moss is thin and white. If the Yin fluids are damaged, there is heat in the stomach, heart vexation with thirst, or a red tongue with yellow moss, it cannot be used.
[…] is a quote from White Pine’s article featuring many case reports of Gui Zhi Tang, from their teacher Zhang […]