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Prescriptions for Warming the Channels and Removing Cold

Wutou Guizhi Tang

乌头桂枝汤 烏頭桂枝湯
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

The Prescription of Wutou Guizhi Tang

Source

The book Jin Kui Yao Lue

Ingredients

5 Wu Tou,Gui Zhi 9 g,Shao Yao 9 g,Zhi Gan Cao 6 g,Sheng Jiang 9 g,Da Zao 12 dates.

Explanation

Gui Zhi: The principal drug, being pungent and sweet in flavor and warm in nature, expelling pathogenic factors from the muscles and skin by means of diaphoresis, warming the channels to dispel pathogenic cold.

Bai Shao: Replenishing Yin and astringing Ying, uniting Gui Zhi to take a role in regulating Ying and Wei.

Sheng Jiang: Being pungent in flavor and warm in nature, assisting Gui Zhi in expelling pathogenic factors from the muscles and skin, warming the stomach to prevent vomiting.

Da Zao: Being sweet in flavor and neutral in nature, supplementing Qi and strengthening the middle-Jiao, nourishing the spleen, promoting the production of body fluids.

Zhi Gan Cao: Supplementing Qi and regulating the stomach, together with Gui Zhi aiding in expelling the pathogenic factors from the muscles and skin, together with Shao Yao replenishing Yin, tempering the actions of all the other ingredients.

Chuan Wu: Dispelling wind-cold, warming meridians to alleviate pain.

The Effect of Wutou Guizhi Tang

Effect

Dispel cold, tonify qi, warm meridians to alleviate pain.

Administrations

Decoct in water with honey for oral dose to be taken.

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Sources and further reading

We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.

  • Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
  • Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
  • Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
  • NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.

Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.

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