Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
桂枝茯苓湯 · Guì Zhī Fú Líng Tāng
A classical Jin Gui formula for blood stasis in the lower abdomen, classically used for fixed masses and dysmenorrhea.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Blood-Invigorating Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Blood Stasis
- Primary Function
- Invigorate blood, transform stasis, gently resolve masses
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Warm and move blood stasis in the lower jiao
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical Jin Gui formula for blood stasis in the lower abdomen, classically used for fixed masses and dysmenorrhea.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for lower-abdominal blood stasis with fixed masses or dysmenorrhea, when a gentle, sustained transforming approach is preferred over stronger attacking formulas.
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
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- percolates dampness and dispels phlegm
- fortifies the spleen and boosts the stomach
牡丹皮Mu Dan Pi9g
Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Bark- invigorates blood to dissipate stasis
- cools blood to clear heat caused by stasis shao yao can
- stops pain and relieves acute situations
桃仁Tao Ren9g
Peach Kernel- invigorates blood and dissolves stasis
- helps the chief medicinal
- dissolves stasis and masses
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
Classical Composition
- Cinnamomi Ramulus (Gui Zhi) 9g
- Poria (Fu Ling) 9g
- Moutan Cortex (Mu Dan Pi) 9g
- Persicae Semen (Tao Ren) 9g
- Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shao Yao) 9g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Invigorates blood and dissolves stasis
- gradually eliminates masses or lumps.
Indications
- Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan is indicated for stasis obstructing the uterus; for instance, women who chronically have masses or lumps, menstrual spotting, restless fetus, dark purple menses, impalpable abdominal pain, painful amenorrhea, or lochiorrhea.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is dark purple with petechia, and the pulse is deep and choppy.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Originally, this formula is indicated for women who consistently have masses or lumps, with a restless fetus and lochiorrhea associated with stasis obstructing the uterus.
- Masses and lumps associated with blood stasis that remain in the uterus lead to chong and ren disorders and insecurity of the fetus, which leads to a restless fetus.
- Stasis that obstructs the uterus and blocks the channels causes the blood to circulate abnormally and blood to leave the vessels, which leads to menstrual spotting.
- Stasis obstructs the uterus and the blood circulation is unsmooth.
- Obstruction causes pain so there are symptoms like abdominal pain that aggravates when pressed.
- The proper treatment is to invigorate blood and dissolve stasis, gradually eliminating masses or lumps.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to warm and move blood stasis in the lower jiao.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang and Tao Hong Si Wu Tang all invigorate blood. Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang moves blood in the chest and upper body; Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang warms and moves lower-abdominal stasis; Tao Hong Si Wu Tang nourishes and mildly moves blood. Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang gently transforms blood stasis in the lower jiao for fixed masses and dysmenorrhea without harsh attacking force.
Clinical Differentiation
- Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan is commonly used to treat a restless fetus and lochiorrhea due to the retention of blood stasis in the uterus.
- This clinical pattern is marked by masses in lower abdomen, dark purple menses with blood clots, pain in the lower abdomen that is worse when pressed.
Safety notes: When treating masses in pregnant women, the blood-invigorating and dissolves stasis-dissolving methods should be used cautiously. In the original formula description, there are rigid rules regarding the dosage and administration worth paying attention to.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang?
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang has the actions of invigorating Blood, transforming Blood stasis, and gently regulating the Chong and Ren vessels. It is the classic formula for Blood stasis accumulating in the lower abdomen or uterus, especially when mild Cold is also present.
Which modern diseases is Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Blood stasis in the lower abdomen, including uterine fibroids or fixed abdominal masses of stasis type, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea with fixed pain, certain cases of ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease sequelae with stasis, and retained lochia or postpartum abdominal pain of Blood-stasis pattern.
Is Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang suitable for improving fixed lower abdominal pain or masses with menstrual irregularities?
For presentations of fixed lower abdominal masses or pain that does not move, dark menstrual blood with clots, dysmenorrhea with fixed location, possible mild Cold sensation in the abdomen, a dark or purplish tongue, and a choppy or wiry pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Blood stasis in the uterus or lower abdomen — TCM commonly applies Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang (or its pill form) as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard gynecological evaluation and treatment.
Related Products
Nong's Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Hoi Tin Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Formula) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Han's Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon & Poria Formula) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Stasis in the Uterus, Abdominal Masses & Pain
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Stasis, Chest Pain & Headache
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Lower Abdominal Blood Stasis & Menstrual Pain
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Deficiency with Stasis & Menstrual Pain
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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.