Cinnamon Twig Decoction – Gui Zhi Wan – Plum Flower – 200 Teapills
Gui Zhi Wan, also known as Cinnamon Twig Decoction or Gui Zhi Tang, is a classic five-herb Traditional Chinese Medicine formula. It combines cinnamon twig, white peony root, fresh ginger, jujube fruit, and prepared licorice root in convenient Plum Flower teapill form.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Gui Zhi Tang is associated with harmonizing the body's Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Protective) Qi and supporting the body's natural response to certain exterior Wind-Cold patterns. These descriptions reflect traditional TCM theory and are not modern medical diagnoses.
What Is Gui Zhi Wan?
Gui Zhi Wan is the prepared teapill form of the traditional formula Gui Zhi Tang. The formula has a long history of use in Chinese herbal traditions and is built around the complementary relationship between Gui Zhi (cinnamon twig) and Bai Shao (white peony root).
Rather than requiring the herbs to be simmered into a traditional decoction, these small prepared pills provide a convenient way to use the formula according to the product label or the recommendations of a qualified healthcare professional.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
Within traditional TCM terminology, Gui Zhi Tang is traditionally described as a formula that:
- Releases the exterior in certain Wind-Cold patterns
- Warms and supports Yang Qi
- Harmonizes Ying and Wei
- Supports the body's normal warming and protective functions
- Harmonizes the interaction of the formula's warming and nourishing herbs
Important: These are traditional Chinese medicine concepts and should not be interpreted as claims that this product prevents, diagnoses, treats, or cures disease.
Product Details at a Glance
Traditional Formula: Gui Zhi Tang / Gui Zhi Wan
English Name: Cinnamon Twig Decoction
Brand: Plum Flower
Form: Small prepared herbal teapills
Bottle Size: 200 teapills
Formula Size: 5 traditional herbal ingredients
Label Directions: 8 pills, 3 times daily, or as directed by a qualified healthcare professional
Approximate Supply: About 8 days when taking 24 pills daily
Origin: China
Preparation Required: None — swallow with water
Gui Zhi Wan Ingredients
| Pin Yin Name | Common Name | Botanical Name / Plant Part | Traditional Role in the Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gui Zhi | Cinnamon Twig | Cinnamomum cassia, twig | Traditionally used to warm and release the exterior and support Wei Qi. |
| Bai Shao | White Peony Root | Paeonia lactiflora, root | Traditionally used to nourish and preserve Yin and harmonize with Gui Zhi. |
| Sheng Jiang | Fresh Ginger | Zingiber officinale, fresh rhizome | Traditionally supports the warming action of the formula and harmonizes the middle. |
| Da Zao | Jujube Fruit / Chinese Date | Ziziphus jujuba, fruit | Traditionally used to support Qi and harmonize the ingredients. |
| Zhi Gan Cao | Prepared Licorice Root | Glycyrrhiza uralensis, prepared root | Traditionally harmonizes the formula and supports Qi. |
Other Ingredients: Talcum, activated carbon, botanical wax.
Why Gui Zhi and Bai Shao Are Important
One of the defining features of Gui Zhi Tang is the traditional pairing of Gui Zhi and Bai Shao. In TCM theory, Gui Zhi is warming and outward-moving, while Bai Shao is traditionally considered nourishing and more inward-conserving.
The two herbs are traditionally used together to create balance rather than simply producing an aggressively warming formula. Fresh ginger, jujube, and prepared licorice complete the five-herb combination and help harmonize the overall formula.
Why Choose Teapills?
Traditional Chinese herbal formulas were historically prepared by simmering herbs in water to make a decoction. Teapills offer a much simpler option for people who prefer a prepared herbal formula.
- No brewing or simmering required
- Small, easy-to-carry pills
- Convenient for home or travel
- Pre-combined traditional herbal formula
- Easy to take with water
Despite the name, teapills are swallowed rather than brewed as tea. They are small round herbal pills and may have the naturally bitter or aromatic taste characteristic of the herbs used to make them.
How to Take Cinnamon Twig Decoction Teapills
The bottle directions state 8 teapills, 3 times daily, or as directed by your healthcare professional.
At the label amount of 24 teapills per day, one 200-count bottle provides approximately 8 days.
Teapills are generally swallowed with water. Follow the product label and any instructions provided by your physician, licensed acupuncturist, naturopathic physician, pharmacist, or qualified herbal professional.
Important Safety Information
Do not use during pregnancy or while nursing unless specifically directed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Consult your healthcare professional before using this or other herbal products if you:
- Take prescription medications
- Have a chronic medical condition
- Use multiple herbal products or dietary supplements
- Are preparing for surgery
- Have questions about whether this formula is appropriate for you
This formula contains prepared licorice root (Zhi Gan Cao). Licorice can be important when evaluating herb-drug interactions and may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly with prolonged or excessive intake. Discuss its use with a healthcare professional if you take medications or have cardiovascular, blood-pressure, kidney, or electrolyte concerns.
Always follow the product label. Stop use and seek professional advice if you experience an unexpected reaction.
About Plum Flower Teapills
Plum Flower is a long-established brand of prepared Chinese herbal formulas. Teapills are designed to make traditional herbal formulas easier to use without preparing an herbal decoction at home.
Because formulas can vary between manufacturers, use the ingredients and directions printed on the specific bottle you purchase rather than assuming that two products with similar traditional names are identical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gui Zhi Wan the same as Gui Zhi Tang?
They refer to the same traditional herbal formula concept but describe different preparation styles. Tang traditionally refers to a decoction, while Wan generally refers to a prepared pill form. This Plum Flower product provides the traditional combination in convenient teapills.
Is cinnamon twig the same as ordinary cinnamon?
Not exactly. Gui Zhi specifically refers to the twig used in Chinese herbalism. Cinnamon bark and cinnamon twig come from related plant material but are treated as distinct Chinese herbal ingredients with different traditional applications.
How many herbs are in Gui Zhi Wan?
This formula contains five primary herbs: Gui Zhi, Bai Shao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao, and Zhi Gan Cao.
How many teapills are in the bottle?
Each bottle contains 200 Plum Flower teapills.
How long does one bottle last?
At the bottle directions of 8 pills three times daily, a 200-count bottle provides approximately 8 days.
Do I brew these pills as tea?
No. Teapills are prepared herbal pills intended to be swallowed with water according to the product label.
Can I take Gui Zhi Wan while pregnant?
The product caution states do not use if pregnant or nursing. Consult your healthcare professional for individualized guidance.
Traditional Formula in a Convenient Prepared Form
Gui Zhi Wan brings together five classic Chinese herbs — cinnamon twig, white peony root, fresh ginger, jujube, and prepared licorice — in a small, convenient prepared pill. For people specifically seeking the traditional Gui Zhi Tang formula without preparing a decoction at home, Plum Flower teapills provide an easy-to-use option.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Traditional-use information is provided for educational purposes and describes principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
PubMed Research & Further Reading — Formula and Ingredient Research
Research Note: The studies below are provided for educational purposes and include research on the traditional Gui Zhi Tang formula and its individual botanical ingredients. Research findings involving herbs, herbal constituents, extracts, traditional formulas, laboratory models, or clinical populations do not establish that this specific Plum Flower Gui Zhi Wan product will produce the same results. These studies should not be interpreted as claims that this product diagnoses, treats, cures, or prevents any disease.
Gui Zhi Tang — Research Review
Gui Zhi Tang — Chemical Constituents Research
Cinnamomum cassia — Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry & Research Review
Paeonia lactiflora — Comprehensive Research Review
Glycyrrhiza uralensis — Research Review
