Pinyin: gui zhi

Properties: acrid, sweet, warm
Channels Entered: Heart, Lung, Urinary Bladder

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
1. Releases the Exterior through Diaphoresis
2. Warms and Opens the Channels and Collaterals
3. Warms Yang to Eliminate Water or Phlegm Stagnation
4. Warms Yang in the Chest
5. Warms Yang in the Chong (Thoroughfare) and Ren (Conception) Channels to Restore Normal Menstruation

DOSAGE
5 to 10 grams.

CAUTIONS I CONTRAINDICA TIONS
• Because Gui Zhi stimulates blood circulation, it should be used with caution in patients with high risk of bleeding, pregnant women, or women with hypermenorrhea.
• Gui Zhi is acrid and warm and may damage yin if used inappropriately. Therefore, it is contraindicated in patients with febrile disorders, yang excess related to yin deficiency,
heat in the blood or other heat-dominant disorders.