The Gui Zhi & Xing Ren Cough Formula: Classical Formula Composition & Vector Analysis (桂枝加杏子湯合乾薑五味子茯苓方)
Published: 2026-10-20 // Jing Fang Prescription Architecture
1. Classical Formula Composition (1-Day Dose)
To resolve an autumn Wind-Cold + AC-induced dry cough at the root—releasing the exterior chill, warming the Lung to steam fluids back up to the dry throat, and relaxing bronchial spasm without over-drying the body—the prescription combines Gui Zhi Jia Xing Zi Tang (桂枝加杏子湯) with the Gan Jiang + Wu Wei Zi + Fu Ling triad.
| Herb (Pin Yin / Chinese) | Weight (g) | Ratio | Classical Role & Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gui Zhi (桂枝) | 9 g | 3 | Releases Exterior & Warms Yang: Opens Taiyang pores locked by AC chill and drives Qi transformation (Hua Qi) so warm fluids rise to the throat. |
| Ku Xing Ren (苦杏仁, crushed) | 9 g | 3 | Descends Lung Qi & Moistens: Bitter-warm and oil-rich; stops the spasmodic cough reflex and moistens autumn Lung dryness without cooling the stomach. |
| Gan Jiang (干姜) | 6 g | 2 | Warms the Lung & Middle Burner: Pairs with Zhi Gan Cao to warm cold-contracted lungs and vaporize fluids upward. |
| Wu Wei Zi (五味子, crushed) | 6 g | 2 | Astringes Cough & Generates Fluids: Pairs 1:1 with Gan Jiang; locks down rebellious coughing while generating warm fluids (Sheng Jin). |
| Bai Shao (白芍) | 9 g | 3 | Relaxes Bronchial Spasm: Pairs with Gui Zhi to harmonize the exterior, and with Zhi Gan Cao to stop smooth-muscle airway spasms. |
| Fu Ling (茯苓) | 12 g | 4 | Supports Spleen & Moves Water: Prevents trapped fluids in the Lung and Stomach from congealing into lingering phlegm. |
| Zhi Gan Cao (炙甘草) | 6 g | 2 | Harmonizes & Soothes the Throat: Buffers acrid warmth and calms local throat irritation. |
| Sheng Jiang (生姜, fresh) | 9 g (3–4 thick coins) | 3 | Assists Exterior Release: Works with Gui Zhi to push wind-cold out of superficial channels. |
| Da Zao (大枣, torn open) | 4 pcs (~12 g) | 4 | Replenishes Ying Fluids: Ensures warming and releasing the exterior never depletes body fluids in dry autumn weather. |
2. The Four Shanghan Lun Layers
- Gui Zhi Tang Chassis: Unlocks cold trapped in the skin and upper back from walking between warm streets and AC.
- Gan Jiang + Wu Wei Zi: The "open-and-close" cough switch—scattering cold freezing fluid distribution while stopping airway tickles.
- Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang Pair: Directly relaxes the cramping, non-stop cough reflex in the trachea.
- Xing Ren: Lubricates the dry respiratory tract with natural seed oils while directing rebellious Lung Qi downward.
3. Decoction & Administration Protocol
- Crush Seeds: Lightly smash Xing Ren and Wu Wei Zi in a mortar before soaking.
- Soak: Soak all herbs in 800 ml of cold water for 30 minutes.
- Boil: Bring to a rolling boil, then simmer gently for 25–30 minutes down to 350–400 ml.
- Dose: Divide into 2 warm doses. Stay out of direct AC drafts until a light, warm micro-sweat appears on the skin, signaling the trapped cold has exited the Taiyang layer.
1. 經典方劑組成（一日劑量）
為從根本解決秋季風寒合併空調引起的乾咳——解表散寒、溫肺蒸騰津液上潤咽喉、舒緩支氣管痙攣而不傷燥——此方結合了桂枝加杏子湯與乾薑＋五味子＋茯苓對藥。
| 藥材 (拼音 / 中文) | 重量 (g) | 比例 | 經典角色與機制 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 桂枝 | 9 g | 3 | 解表溫陽： 打開因空調寒凍鎖住的太陽毛孔，推動氣化使溫熱津液上行至咽喉。 |
| 苦杏仁 (打碎) | 9 g | 3 | 降氣潤肺： 苦溫且富含油脂；停止痙攣性咳嗽反射，潤澤秋燥而不涼胃。 |
| 乾薑 | 6 g | 2 | 溫肺中焦： 與炙甘草相配，溫化寒凝之肺並蒸騰津液上行。 |
| 五味子 (打碎) | 6 g | 2 | 斂肺生津： 與乾薑 1:1 配伍；鎖住上逆咳嗽並生津以覆蓋乾燥咽喉。 |
| 白芍 | 9 g | 3 | 緩急解痙： 與桂枝相配調和營衛，與炙甘草相配（芍藥甘草湯）解除平滑肌氣道痙攣。 |
| 茯苓 | 12 g | 4 | 健脾利水： 防止肺胃滯留津液凝結成伏飲痰飲。 |
| 炙甘草 | 6 g | 2 | 調和緩急： 緩解薑辛溫之烈，安撫局部咽喉刺激。 |
| 生薑 (鮮) | 9 g (3–4厚片) | 3 | 協助解表： 與桂枝協同將風寒逐出淺表頸肩經絡。 |
| 大棗 (擘開) | 4枚 (約 12 g) | 4 | 補益營陰： 確保溫散解表時不致耗傷秋燥季節的體液。 |
2. 四層《傷寒論》機理
- 桂枝湯主體： 解開往返溫熱街道與冰冷空調所鎖在皮膚及上背部的寒邪。
- 乾薑＋五味子： 經典的「開闔」止咳開關——乾薑散開凍結津液分佈之寒，五味子止住咽喉狂暴癢感。
- 芍藥甘草湯對藥： 直接放鬆氣管中痙攣不休的咳嗽反射。
- 苦杏仁： 提供天然種子油脂潤澤乾燥呼吸道，並引導上逆肺氣下行。
3. 煎煮與服藥規範
- 打碎種子： 浸泡前務必先將苦杏仁與五味子在缽中輕輕搗碎。
- 浸泡： 將所有藥材浸泡於 800 毫升冷水中 30 分鐘。
- 煎煮： 大火煮沸後，轉小火慢煎 25 至 30 分鐘，濃縮至大約 350–400 毫升藥液。
- 服法： 濾出並分為早晚兩次溫服。服藥後 10–15 分鐘可喝一小碗熱米粥或熱水，且避免直接吹空調，直至皮膚微見溫潤汗出，即表示表寒已透出太陽層。