The first record we have about Gui Pi Tang is in the book Ji Sheng Fang, published in the year 1253, during the Song Dynasty, written by the doctor Yan Yong-He.
This book was famous due to its formulas treating Spleen and Stomach issues.
The most famous formula in the book is Gui Pi Tang, which nourishes heart blood to tonifies Spleen and Stomach, and it derives from the renowned formula Liu Jun Zi Tang.
Gui Pi Tang is the decoction, and Gui Pi Wan is the same formula but making pills with powdered herbs and mixing it with honey.
What is Gui Pi Tang good for?
Gui Pi Tang is the most famous formula for Traditional Chinese Medicine students because it gives you peace of mind and, in addition to helping you sleep, improves your cognitive functions, allowing you to be more alert and sharp mentally.
Gui pi tang is a very gentle formula with almost no adverse effects.
What does it do in your body?
Gui pi tang treats Heart blood and Spleen qi deficiencies, especially when Spleen is the root of the problem and Heart is producing the main symptoms. Psychological and emotional symptoms are fundamental aspects when prescribing Gui Pi tang.
"When there is a Heart blood deficiency, due to Spleen qi deficiency, the spirit will have bo anchor, and the patient will be prompt to overthink, memory loss, have difficulty sleeping and suffer some kind of brain fog and restlessness."
Ingredients:
Ren Shen ( Radix Ginseng) 6g.
Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) 30g.
Bai Zhu ( Radix Astragali Membranacei) 30g.
Zhi Gan Cao ( Glycyrrhizae Radix preparata) 7.5 g.
Dang Gui (Radix angelicae sinensis) 3g.
Long Yan Rou (Longan Arillus). 30g.
Fu Ling (Poria) 30g.
Yuan Zhi (Radix Polygalae) 3 g.
Suan Zao Ren (Semen Zizyphi Spinosae) 30g.
Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix) 15g.
*(Usually, Dang Shen substitutes Ren Shen in the preparation of the formula, adding 2 to 3 times Ren Shen dosage.
The original text indicates cooking 12 grams of herbs with five slices of Sheng Jiang and one piece of Da Zao.
Effects from Chinese medicine point of view
Gui pi tang is indicated when there is Heart and Spleen deficiency.
Typical symptoms of Heart blood deficiency are heart palpitations, insomnia, blurred vision, dizziness, etc.
Symptoms of Spleen qi deficiency may include anemia, fatigue, poor appetite, pale complexion, etc. The heart controls blood, but Spleen keeps it inside the vessels; with Spleen qi deficiency, we also can see symptoms of irregular menstruation, varicose veins, etc.
Herbal Action of Gui pi tang:
Ren Shen or Dang Shen: Tonifies qi
Huang qi: Tonifies qi
Bai Zhu: Strengths Spleen and dries dampness.
Zhi Gan Cao: Tonifies Spleen and tonifies qi.
Dang Gui: Nourishes Blood and regulates menstruation.
Long Yan Rou: Tonifies the Blood and calms the spirit.
Suan Zao Ren: Calms Shen.
Fu Ling: Calms the spirit and strengthens the Spleen.
Yuan Zhi: Calms the spirit by promoting the flow of Qi into the Heart.
Mu Xiang: Regulates the Qi movement and tonifies Spleen.
Sheng Jiang & Da Zao: Stimulates appetite, regulates nutritive and defensive Qi and reduces any possible adverse symptom from any other medicines
Effects from Wester's medicine point of view:
Gui pi tang can produce outstanding effects when your pattern presentation comes with Anemia, gastric ulcers, congestive heart disease, menopause, uterine bleeding, abnormal menstrual bleeding, hepatitis, addictions, tachycardia, insomnia, etc.
Contraindication of Gui pi tang
Any time you take any Chinese medicine, it should be prescribed by a professional Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor with enough experience with Chinese herbs.
When taking Gui pi tang, you should avoid oily food, like french fries or other deep-fried foods.
When should I take Gui pi tang?
First, you should take a Chinese medicine herbal formula only when your practitioner or doctor prescribes it for you to avoid any side effects.
Can Chinese herbs be harmful?
Chinese herbs only can be harmful with a wrong diagnosis; that is why Chinese Herbal Formulas should be prescribed by a professional.
Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on your pattern presentation, not on your disease. That is why getting a correct diagnosis and a prescription that matches your particular needs is essential.
With the correct diagnosis and good-quality herbs, the results will be spectacular.
Clinical studies on Gui pi tang:
There are so many studies probing its efficacy; here we have just three examples:
- Effects of Gui pi tang on myocardial ischemia in rats
- Effects of Gui pi tang on osteopenia
- Effects of Gui pi tang on patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Gui pi tang has been used for almost 800 years; this alone probes its amazing efficacy!
Where can I get Gui pi tang?
At Soul Acupuncture & Herbal, we have our own Chinese Herbal Pharmacy and make custom formulas for our patients.
Even though Gui Pi Tang is a fantastic formula, it should be customized for every patient's particular needs to achieve the best result.
Only badly educated or poor practitioners prescribe an herbal formula for their patients without modification.
A good herbalist always modified the quantity of the herbs and adds or eliminates some herbs to match the patient and treat their problem in the most accurate way possible.
If you feel interested in what this great formula can do for you, we invite you to visit us and discover the wonderful possibilities that Traditional Chinese medicine can offer you!