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Gui Zhi (桂枝), the young twig of cinnamon, gently releases the exterior, warms and frees the channels and the yang qi, and harmonises the nutritive (ying) and defensive (wei) qi.
Latin / Pharmaceutical Name
Cinnamomum cassia (Ramulus Cinnamomi)
Common English Name
Cinnamon twig
Taste
Acrid, sweet
Temperature
Warm
Channels Entered
Heart, Lung, Bladder
Actions & Functions
- Releases the exterior and harmonises ying and wei (for exterior with sweating)
- Warms and unblocks the channels and disperses cold (painful obstruction)
- Warms and strengthens the yang and transforms qi (oedema, palpitations)
Indications
Exterior wind-cold with sweating; cold painful obstruction of the limbs and chest; and yang deficiency with palpitations or oedema.
Dosage
3-9 g in decoction.
Common Combinations
With Bai Shao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao and Gan Cao (Gui Zhi Tang) for wind-cold with sweating.
Cautions & Contraindications
Avoid in warm-heat patterns, yin deficiency with heat, and bleeding from heat; caution in pregnancy and heavy menstruation.
