Gui Zhi Tang Wan (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)

Clinical Usages

• Gan Mao (wind-cold) - Common cold or flu (or related illnesses, asthma, rhinitis, etc.) presenting with fever and chills (unrelieved by sweating), headache, aversion to wind, no desire for fluids, dry cough, sore throat.
• Frostbite.
• Pain from cold - may manifest in the joints, sciatic pain, neuralgia.
• Some skin conditions that are worse with cold and tend to be dry and itchy.
• Potentially useful post-partum (for colds or fevers) to strengthen the exterior (wei qi).

Clinical Categorization

• Release the Exterior
• Release Exterior Cold

Shu Jing Huo Xue Wan (Relax The Channels and Invigorate The Blood Decoction)

Clinical Usages

• Primarily used for blood stasis with wind-damp in the channels and collaterals characterized by internal deficiency with external excesses - joint pain, muscle aches, numbness and/or pain in the lower extremities (may be severe).
• Wind-cold damp bi-syndrome (i.e. arthritis) - particularly in the lower part of the body, hips, knees, lower back.
• Sciatic pain with the correct underlying pattern.
• Neck pain with the correct underling pattern.
• Fractures that are reluctant to heal, particularly in the lower body.

Clinical Categorization

• Invigorate the Blood
• Invigorate the Blood and Dispel Blood Stasis

Cautions

• Pregnancy

• Avoid during pregnancy.
• Generally not for long term use and use with caution if at all in deficient patients.