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Source: Jīn Guì Yào Lüè 金匮要略

Ingredients:

• Huáng qí (黄芪 Astragali Radix, astragalus [root]) 3g
• Sháo yào (芍药 Paeoniae Radix, peony [root]) 3g
• Guì zhī (桂枝 Cinnamomi Ramulus, cinnamon twig) 3g
• Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) 6g
• Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube) 3g

Action: Boosts qì and warms the channels; quickens the blood and frees impediment (bì).

Indication: Blood impediment (xuè bì) arising from contraction of wind in qì vacuity, causing obstruction of the blood. It is characterized by numbness and tingling of the skin, usually with no pain. Tongue: Pale with thin glossy fur. Pulse: Faint and rough.

Category: Interior-warming formulas / Channel-warming cold-dispersing formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Huáng qí is sweet and warm and goes straight to the fleshy exterior. It boosts qì and strengthens the exterior, as well as dispelling wind and eliminating impediment (bì). Guì zhī is warm, sweet, and acrid. It goes to the interstices of the flesh and enters the blood aspect. It dispels wind and frees the network vessels, as well as quickening the blood and harmonizing provisioning. Thus, the action of these two agents is complementary. Bái sháo, which is sour and cold, nourishes the blood and constrain yīn. It helps the Guì zhī to quicken the blood and free the vessels, as well as counteracting its dryness. Shēng jiāng and Dà zǎo enrich the source of engendering transformation (the spleen).

Similar: Guì zhī tāng (桂枝汤 Cinnamon Twig Decoction)

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