Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
桂麻各半湯 · Guì Má Gè Bàn Tāng
A classical mild diaphoretic combining half Gui Zhi and half Ma Huang methods for unresolved exterior with intermittent heat.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Exterior-Releasing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Wind-Cold
- Primary Function
- Mildly release exterior Wind-Cold
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Combine mild Gui Zhi and Ma Huang methods for unresolved exterior
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical mild diaphoretic combining half Gui Zhi and half Ma Huang methods for unresolved exterior with intermittent heat.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for unresolved exterior with intermittent heat and mild exterior constraint, when neither pure Ma Huang nor pure Gui Zhi methods fully fit.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
杏仁Xing Ren6g
Bitter Apricot Kernel- descends lung qi
- stops cough and moistens the intestines
生薑Sheng Jiang6g
Fresh Ginger- releases the exterior
- warms the middle and settles nausea
大棗Da Zao3pcs
Jujube / Chinese Date- harmonizes and nourishes
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Ramulus Cinnamomi (Gui Zhi) 6g
- Herba Ephedrae (Ma Huang) 6g
- Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai Shao) 6g
- Semen Armeniacae Amarum (Xing Ren) 6g
- Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (Sheng Jiang) 6g
- Fructus Jujubae (Da Zao) 3pcs
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao) 3g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Releases the exterior with a balanced combination of gui zhi and ma huang.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for a mixed taiyang pattern that is neither purely excess nor purely deficient.
- Signs and symptoms include fever and chills, mild sweating or none, and body aches.
Tongue & pulseThe pulse is superficial.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is due to externally contracted wind-cold that fetters the exterior and constrains lung qi.
- A mixed taiyang pattern that is neither purely excess nor purely deficient requires half gui zhi and half ma huang to release the exterior moderately.
Clinical presentation
- Wei yang is obstructed, the interstices close, and the lung fails to diffuse, producing aversion to cold, absence of sweating, body aches and a superficial tight pulse.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to induce sweating to release the exterior and diffuse the lung.
- In this formula the emphasis is to combine mild Gui Zhi and Ma Huang methods for unresolved exterior.
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang | Ma Huang Tang | Gui Zhi Tang |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Mildly release exterior Wind-Cold | Release exterior Wind-Cold, stop wheezing | Release exterior Wind-Cold (deficiency type), harmonize Ying-Wei |
| Formula Category | Exterior-Releasing Formulas | Exterior-Releasing Formulas | Exterior-Releasing Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Wind-Cold | Wind-Cold | Wind-Cold |
| Main Conditions | Fever·Cold Limbs·Nasal Congestion | Cough·Dry Cough·Fever·Cold Limbs | Spontaneous Sweating·Fever·Cold Limbs·Nasal Congestion |
| Main Herbs | Cinnamon Twig·Ephedra Herb·White Peony Root·Bitter Apricot Kernel·Fresh Ginger | Ephedra Herb·Cinnamon Twig·Bitter Apricot Kernel·Honey-fried Licorice | Cinnamon Twig·White Peony Root·Fresh Ginger·Jujube / Chinese Date·Honey-fried Licorice |
| Classical Source | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) |
Clinical Perspective
Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang, Ma Huang Tang and Gui Zhi Tang are exterior-releasing formulas. Ma Huang Tang is pure excess Wind-Cold without sweating; Gui Zhi Tang is exterior deficiency with sweating. Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang combines half of each method for unresolved exterior with intermittent fever-like presentations.
Clinical Differentiation
- Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang is used for a mixed taiyang pattern that is neither purely excess nor purely deficient.
- Half Gui Zhi Tang and half Ma Huang Tang are combined to release the exterior moderately.
- It is distinguished from either parent formula used alone.
Safety notes: This formula still induces sweating. It is not appropriate for marked yin or qi deficiency with copious sweating.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang?
Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang (Gui Zhi Ma Huang Ge Ban Tang) has the actions of mildly inducing sweat, releasing the exterior, and harmonizing Ying and Wei. It is a light Shang Han Lun combination of half Gui Zhi Tang and half Ma Huang Tang for a lingering, mild Taiyang pathogen that cannot quite come out.
Which modern conditions is Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within mild lingering Wind-Cold with Ying-Wei disharmony, including a cold that has lasted many days with mild fever and chills, body itching or light urticaria that worsens in cold, and some Wind-Cold type skin itch when a small sweat cannot be produced.
Is Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang suitable for a lingering cold with mild chills and body itch?
For presentations of Taiyang lingering for many days, fever more than chills occurring a few times a day, no vomiting, normal stool, a flushed facial heat color, body itch because a light sweat cannot come out, and a floating but not strong pulse — TCM commonly applies Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace evaluation of other causes of recurrent fever or widespread rash.
Related Products
Nong's Gui Ma Ge Ban Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Half-and-Half Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.