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Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill
桂枝茯苓丸 〔桂枝茯苓丸〕 guì zhī fú líng wán
Source: Jīn Guì Yào Lüè 金匮要略
Ingredients
- Guì zhī (桂枝 Cinnamomi Ramulus, cinnamon twig) 10g
- Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria) 15g
- Mǔ dān pí (牡丹皮 Moutan Cortex, moutan [bark]) 10g
- Táo rén (桃仁 Persicae Semen, peach kernel) 6g
- Chì sháo (赤芍 Paeoniae Radix Rubra, red peony [root]) 12g
Actions: Transforms stasis and disperses concretions.
Indications: Tender lesser abdominal concretion lumps in women with inhibited menstruation, menstrual pain, or persistent flow of lochia.
Category: Dispersion formulas / Concretion and conglomeration formulas
Method: Grind to a powder, blend with honey, and form into pills the size of rabbit droppings.
Dosage: Take 1 pill each day before meals. Take up to 3 pills if no effect is experienced.
Rationale: Táo rén, Chì sháo, and Mǔ dān pí, which are cold blood-quickening stasis-resolving that act on the interior. Guì zhī is used here not for its exterior-resolving action, but to help the other three agents to dispel stasis, and disperse concretions and binds. Fú líng and Guì zhī work together to warm and transform phlegm-damp. The formula as a whole eliminates both the phlegm and static blood that cause concretions.
Variations:
- Pronounced abdominal lump in generally healthy patients: Add Sān léng (三棱 Sparganii Rhizoma, sparganium [root]) and é zhú (莪朮 Curcumae Rhizoma, curcuma rhizome).
- Severe pain: Add Pú huáng (蒲黄 Typhae Pollen, typha pollen) and Wǔ líng zhī (五灵脂 Trogopteri Faeces, squirrel’s droppings).