Immunopathologies

Formulas for Bi-Syndromes based on Cinnamon Twig Decoction

By Fornia ⋅ September 14, 2009 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Huangqi guizhi wuwutang (黄芪桂枝五物汤)

问曰：血痹病从何得之？师曰：夫尊荣人，骨弱肌肤盛，重因疲劳汗出，卧不时动摇，加被微风，遂得之。但以脉自微涩，在寸口、关上小紧，宜针引阳气，令脉和紧去则愈。血痹阴阳俱微，寸口关上微，尺中小紧，外证身体不仁，如风痹状，黄芪桂枝五物汤主之。

This formula is categorized in the section focusing on treatment for diseases of deficiency. In this particular case, the deficiency causes pain. The formula is made up of the following ingredients:

• huangqi (黄芪) 3liang, approx 10g
• shaoyao (芍药) 3liang, approx 10g
• guizhi (桂枝) 3liang, approx 10g
• shengjiang 生姜 6liang, approx 20g
• dazao (大枣) 12 pieces

Decoct the five herbs in 6 sheng of water (approx. 1200ml), until it becomes about 1/3 of its original volume at 2 sheng. Drink up 7 he (approx 140ml), three times daily. This is how blood obstruction (血痹) – basically a manifestation of pain due to qi and blood deficiency – is treated.

This formula is like a guizhi tang but huangqi is also added to give a boost. It embodies the idea of danggui buxue tang (当归补血汤), which uses huangqi to give danggui a boost, only that instead of danggui, we have guizhi tang.

Danggui sini tang (当归四逆汤)

This is one formula we can use to improve circulation, so that the feeling of warmth is able to reach the extremities. This Shanghanlun formula is made up of guizhi tang (桂枝汤), and instead of shengjiang, we have danggui, xixin and tongcao.

• danggui (当归) 3liang (9g)
• xixin (细辛) 3liang (9g)
• tongcao (通草) 2liang (6g)
• guizhi (桂枝，去皮) 3liang (9g)
• shaoyao (芍药) 3liang (9g)
• zhigancao (甘草) 2liang (6g)
• dazao (大枣) 25 pieces (8 pieces these days)

Notice the large amount of xixin used. These days, we would limit it to a maximum of 3g. In any case, this formula is full of herbs that will enhance blood circulation, and will be useful for cinnamon twig-type people who have circulation problems, dysmenorrhea, Raynaud’s disease, and even rheumatoid arthritis. This is a much warmer formula than huangqi guizhi wuwutang (黄芪桂枝五物汤).

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