Gui Pi Wan

Gui Pi Wan

Alternative Name: Restore the Spleen Pill

Drug Composition:

• Radix Codonopsis (Dang Shen): Codonopsis Root

• Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Bai Zhu): Large-headed Atractylodes Rhizome

• Radix Astragali Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Huang Qi): Honey-fried Astragalus Root

• Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao): Honey-fried Licorice Root

• Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui): Chinese Angelica Root

• Poria (Fu Ling): A medicinal fungus

• Radix Polygalae (Yuan Zhi): Polygala Root

• Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (Suan Zao Ren): Sour Jujube Seed

• Arillus Longan (Long Yan Rou): Longan Fruit

• Radix Aucklandiae (Mu Xiang): Aucklandia Root

• Fructus Jujubae (Da Zao): Jujube/Chinese Date

Method of Administration:

This medicine is taken orally with warm boiled water or ginger soup. The dosage varies depending on the form:

• Water-honeyed pills: 6 grams per dose.

• Small honeyed pills: 9 grams per dose.

• Large honeyed pills: 1 pill per dose.
  The recommended frequency is 3 times a day.[1]

Functions:

The primary functions of Gui Pi Wan are to tonify Qi and Blood, strengthen the spleen, and nourish the heart.[2] It is a well-known formula for treating conditions arising from a deficiency in both the Heart and Spleen, often caused by overthinking or excessive mental strain.[3]

The formula works by addressing the root cause in the Spleen to aid in the production of blood, which in turn nourishes the Heart, calming the spirit.[4]

Indications:

Gui Pi Wan is used for a pattern known as “Heart-Spleen Two Deficiency” (心脾两虚), which can manifest in a variety of physical and mental symptoms, including:

• Palpitations and anxiety.[3]

• Insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, and forgetfulness.[1]

• Poor appetite and abdominal bloating.[4]

• Fatigue, lack of strength, and a sallow or pale complexion.[4]

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.[3]

• Certain bleeding disorders due to the Spleen’s failure to “govern” the blood.[3][4]

Contraindications:

• Avoid in cases of excess: This formula is a tonic and should not be used by individuals with conditions of excess, such as external pathogenic influences (like the common cold), phlegm-damp accumulation, blood stasis, or internal heat.[5][6]

• Dietary precautions: It is recommended to avoid raw, cold, greasy, and hard-to-digest foods while taking this medication.[7]

• Lifestyle: Avoid excessive worry, overthinking, and overwork, as these can exacerbate the underlying condition.

• Caution: Individuals with chronic conditions like hypertension, heart disease, liver disease, or diabetes should consult a physician before use.[1][8]

Source:

The original formula, known as Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction), first appeared in the classic medical text Ji Sheng Fang (《济生方》), “Formulas to Aid the Living,” from the Song Dynasty.[4][9] It was later modified in the Ming Dynasty to include Dang Gui and Yuan Zhi, forming the version commonly used today.