Gui Zhi Tang, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is an exterior-releasing formula derived from the book "Shang Han Lun". It consists of Gui Zhi (cinnamon twig, peeled) 9g, Shao Yao (peony root) 9g, Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger) 9g, Da Zao (Chinese date) 9g, and Gan Cao (licorice root, roasted) 6g. It has the effects of releasing exterior, relieving muscle tension, and harmonizing the nourishing and protective qi.
[Administration and Dosage]
Grind the above five ingredients into powder, chew in the mouth, add 7 liters of water, simmer over low heat until 3 liters of liquid remain, remove the residue, adjust the temperature to warm, and drink 1 liter. After taking the medicine, wait for a moment, then drink more than 1 liter of hot thin porridge to enhance the efficacy of the medicine.
Keep the body covered and let it sweat slightly, making the whole body feel slightly sweaty is better, but don't let the sweat flow like water, otherwise the illness will not be cured.
If sweating occurs after taking one dose and the illness improves, stop taking the medicine. If sweating does not occur, take the medicine again according to the previous method. If sweating still does not occur, take a smaller dose at short intervals, and take three doses within half a day.
If the condition is severe, take the medicine for one day and one night, and observe the condition every week. If the symptoms persist after taking one dose, continue taking the medicine. If sweating does not occur, take two or three more doses.
Avoid consuming raw, cold, sticky, greasy, spicy, alcoholic, and rancid foods. (Modern usage: decoction, warm administration to induce slight sweating).
[Formula Analysis]
In Gui Zhi Tang, Gui Zhi is the principal herb, which releases exterior and disperses wind-cold. Shao Yao is the deputy herb, which nourishes yin and consolidates the nourishing qi.
The combination of Gui Zhi and Shao Yao balances the protective qi and nourishing qi, which is necessary for the treatment. Sheng Jiang is pungent and warm, which not only assists Gui Zhi in releasing muscle tension but also warms the stomach and stops vomiting.
Da Zao is sweet and neutral, which can boost qi and nourish the middle, as well as nourish the spleen and generate fluids. The combination of Jiang and Zao can promote the rising of spleen and stomach qi and harmonize the nourishing and protective qi. Therefore, they are both assisting herbs.
Roasted Gan Cao has two uses: one is as an assisting herb to boost qi and harmonize the middle, combined with Gui Zhi to release muscle tension, and combined with Shao Yao to nourish yin; the other is to harmonize all the herbs.
[Clinical Application]
Gui Zhi Tang is used to treat exterior wind-cold with deficiency syndrome. The key diagnostic points for clinical application are headache, fever, sweating, aversion to wind, nasal congestion, dry retching, white tongue coating, and floating or weak pulse.
For those with severe aversion to wind and cold, add Fang Feng, Jing Jie, and Dan Dou Chi to disperse wind-cold. For those with a deficient constitution, add Huang Qi to boost qi and remove pathogenic factors. For those with cough and wheezing, add Xing Ren, Su Zi, and Jie Geng to moisten the lungs, stop coughing, and relieve wheezing.
