Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
Gui Zhi 桂枝
Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae Cinnamon Twig, Cassia Twig
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Warm
- Nature & Flavour
- Spicy, Sweet, Warm
- Channels Entered
- HT, LU, BL
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae
- Chinese
- 桂枝
- Tone Marks
- guì zhī
Chinese Herb Actions
- Adjusts the Ying and Wei Levels For Wind-Cold from deficiency when sweating does not relieve the condition.
- Warms the Channels and Collaterals For Wind-Cold damp bi pain, arthritic complaints, especially in the shoulders. For cold obstructing the flow of Blood in dysmenorrhea and other gynecological conditions.
- Unblocks the Yang Qi of the Chest For chest pain, palpitations, edema, dysuria, and abdominal fullness.
- Promotes Blood Circulation For amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, angina pectoris, and abdominal masses.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 3-9 grams for externally contracted wind-cold.
- 9-15 grams for Bi pain.
- Part used: twig or ramulus.
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Caution in patients with fever, heat from deficiency, heat in the blood, pregnancy, and heavy menstruation.
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
https://amzn.to/42aMz73
https://amzn.to/3PuD4bt