Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang — Astragalus & Cinnamon Twig Five-Substance Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang — the “Astragalus and Cinnamon Twig Five-Substance Decoction” — is from Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue. It is the classical answer to Blood Bi syndrome (xue bi) — numbness and loss of sensation in the limbs from deficient Qi and Blood failing to nourish the muscles and nerves of the extremities, with possible additional Wind invasion in the channels. The formula combines Huang Qi (strong Qi tonic) with the Gui Zhi Tang core (warming, channel-opening) to drive Qi and Blood out to the limbs.

I prescribe Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang is prescribed for Blood Bi numbness syndrome from Qi-Blood deficiency:

• Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in the limbs
• Symptoms worse with cold, better with warmth
• Cold extremities
• Pale complexion, mild fatigue
• Possibly mild aching
• Tongue — pale, thin white coat
• Pulse — thin, possibly slow, especially at chi position

Key herbs

1. Huang Qi — chief; strongly tonifies Qi; drives Qi-Blood to the surface and extremities
2. Gui Zhi — warms the channels; opens the surface; reaches the extremities
3. Bai Shao — nourishes Blood; pairs with Gui Zhi to harmonise Ying and Wei
4. Sheng Jiang — warms; harmonises the Stomach
5. Da Zao — tonifies Qi and Blood; harmonises

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Qi and Blood
2. Warms and harmonises the channels and surface
3. Restores sensation and circulation to the extremities

Conditions treated

1. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy with cold numb feet
2. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy with numbness and cold extremities
3. Post-stroke numbness and weakness in the affected limb
4. Carpal tunnel syndrome with deficient pattern
5. Raynaud’s phenomenon with marked cold and pallor
6. Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with arm numbness
7. Brachial plexus injury recovery
8. Numb cold feet of the elderly

Cautions

Not appropriate for Heat patterns, Yin deficiency or acute Wind-Damp-Heat Bi — the warming herbs aggravate Heat.

Sudden onset numbness or weakness, especially with facial droop or speech difficulty, requires emergency stroke assessment — call 999.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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