Gui Zhi Shi Gao Decoction.，The formula is from *Qian Jin* (Vol. 9); the name appears in *Huo Ren Shu* (Vol. 17).，In cases of sudden swelling due to cold damage—whether in the limbs, chest, or back—where the swelling is diffuse and puffy like a balloon, or affects the head, face, lips, mouth, neck, and nape; in severe cases, it may be confined to the outer side of the lower leg, as thick as an axle but without pain or redness; or where the limbs are stiff and unresponsive—if treatment with the Five-Spice Ma Huang Decoction fails to cure, and the yang qi remains in the meridians without having entered the zang-fu organs, and the pulse remains rapid.
Gui Zhi Shi Gao Decoction.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All references in this article to TCM syndrome differentiation, herbal medicines, teas, and decoctions are intended to promote TCM culture and are provided solely for educational and reference purposes.
Formulas Name : Gui Zhi Shi Gao Decoction.
Chinese Name : 桂枝石膏汤。
Drug Formulation
2 liang of Cinnamomum twig, 2 liang of Scutellaria baicalensis, 2 liang of Glycyrrhiza, 3 liang of Cimicifuga, 3 liang of Pueraria root, 3 liang of fresh ginger, 6 liang of Paeonia, 8 liang of gypsum, and 2–7 pieces of Gardenia.
Source
The formula is from *Qian Jin* (Vol. 9); the name appears in *Huo Ren Shu* (Vol. 17).
Benefits
In cases of sudden swelling due to cold damage—whether in the limbs, chest, or back—where the swelling is diffuse and puffy like a balloon, or affects the head, face, lips, mouth, neck, and nape; in severe cases, it may be confined to the outer side of the lower leg, as thick as an axle but without pain or redness; or where the limbs are stiff and unresponsive—if treatment with the Five-Spice Ma Huang Decoction fails to cure, and the yang qi remains in the meridians without having entered the zang-fu organs, and the pulse remains rapid.
Instructions for Use
Coarsely crush the ingredients. Boil with 9 sheng of water until reduced to 2 sheng and 7 he; divide into two doses, taken 10 li apart. If, after taking the first two doses, sweating occurs, discontinue the medication; if sweating does not occur, take one more dose, and stop once sweating begins. If sweating does not occur, omit the gardenia the next day, add 2 liang of ephedra, use 2 sheng of water, and follow the formula again.
Copyright: Excerpt from The formula is from *Qian Jin* (Vol. 9); the name appears in *Huo Ren Shu* (Vol. 17)., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 25, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 25, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 25, 2026
Correct Content Errors: Errors may occur during the writing, editing, translation, and publication of website content. If you find any errors or inaccurate information in this article, please feel free to Contact Us to report them, and we will correct them promptly.
FDA Disclaimer: The descriptions of the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines, herbal teas, decoctions, and formulas, as well as the content on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic theory and traditional TCM therapies contained on this site, are intended solely for the purpose of popularizing TCM culture and serving as an educational reference; they do not constitute medical diagnosis or treatment advice. Please do not attempt to use these products on your own without proper guidance. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are experiencing any physical discomfort, please consult a licensed healthcare professional and seek treatment at a reputable medical institution. This platform assumes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of herbs or formulas by any individual based on the information provided on this site. Please read Medical Disclaimer.
Gui Zhi Shi Gao Decoction.,In cases of sudden swelling due to cold damage—whether in the limbs, chest, or back—where the swelling is diffuse and puffy like a balloon, or affects the head, face, lips, mouth, neck, and nape; in severe cases, it may be confined to the outer side of the lower leg, as thick as an axle but without pain or redness; or where the limbs are stiff and unresponsive—if treatment with the Five-Spice Ma Huang Decoction fails to cure, and the yang qi remains in the meridians without having entered the zang-fu organs, and the pulse remains rapid.