Cinnamon twig 9 gm (peeled), Peony root 9 gm, Licorice root 6 gm (roasted), Fresh ginger 9 gm (cut), Jujube 12 pieces (split).

bubble_chart Preparation and Dosage

The above 5 ingredients, finely chewed, and the 3 ingredients. Boil with 700 ml of water over low heat until reduced to 300 ml, then remove the dregs. Adjust to a suitable temperature and take 100 ml. Shortly after taking, consume 100 ml of hot thin porridge to aid the medicinal effect. Administer while warm, and it is best to have a slight, pervasive sweat all over the body for about an hour; do not allow profuse sweating, as the illness will not be cured. If sweating occurs after one dose and the illness improves, no further doses are needed, and the full prescription need not be completed. If no sweating occurs, take another dose following the same method. If still no sweating, shorten the interval between doses, aiming to complete three doses within half a day. For severe cases, take the medicine day and night, observing the condition over 24 hours. If the symptoms persist after finishing one dose, take another. If sweating still does not occur, continue taking up to two or three doses.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Releasing sweat, harmonizing nutrient and defensive aspects.

bubble_chart Indications

External contraction wind-cold, fever with aversion to wind, headache, stiff neck, body pain, sweating, nasal congestion, retching, white tongue coating without thirst, floating and slow or floating and weak pulse.

bubble_chart Formula Principles

This syndrome is characterized by the insecurity of the striae and interstices, the external invasion of wind-cold, and the disharmony between nutrient and defensive qi. The treatment should focus on releasing the flesh with acrid warmth and harmonizing the nutrient and defensive aspects. In the formula, Cinnamon Twig serves as the monarch herb to dispel cold and release the flesh; Peony Root acts as the minister herb to astringe yin and harmonize the nutrient aspect; Fresh Ginger Rhizome assists Cinnamon Twig in releasing the flesh and expelling pathogens, while Chinese Date aids Peony Root in harmonizing the interior nutrient aspect, both serving as assistant medicinals; Liquorice Root tonifies qi and harmonizes the middle, acting as the envoy to regulate and harmonize the various herbs. Combined, these ingredients work together to achieve the effects of releasing the flesh, promoting sweating, and harmonizing the nutrient and defensive aspects.

During the medication period, avoid consuming raw and cold, sticky, meat, flour, pungent foods, alcohol, dairy, and foul-smelling foods. It is contraindicated for those with exterior excess without sweating, external contraction of dampness, or habitual alcohol consumption with internal dampness-heat.

bubble_chart Modern Application

Currently used for the common cold, epidemic common cold, and the aforementioned symptoms.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

1. Antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects. "Research on Chinese Patent Drugs" 1983(3):25, the antipyretic test showed that 75% Cinnamon Twig Decoction could reduce the rectal temperature of feverish rabbits by 0.71, and the skin temperature test also showed that it could reduce the normal skin temperature of mice by 8.13%. The results of the analgesic experiment showed that at 120 minutes, 37.5% and 75% Cinnamon Twig Decoction increased the basic pain threshold of mice by 64.82% and 105.35%, respectively; this effect was similar to that of 0.1% morphine (20mg/kg); the inhibition rate of 75% Cinnamon Twig Decoction on the writhing response of mice was 90%. In addition, Cinnamon Twig Decoction has a strong anti-formaldehyde inflammatory effect, with inhibition rates of 37.5% and 84.77% at 1 hour after inflammation induction. The experiment showed that Cinnamon Twig Decoction could inhibit the free activity of mice and enhance the hypnotic effect of barbiturates.
2. Promotion of macrophage function. "Fujian Chinese Medicine" 1983(1):61, this formula has a significant promoting effect on the function of macrophages in mice. The phagocytosis rate of the Cinnamon Twig Decoction group was 24.4%, and the phagocytosis index was 42.2%; the control group was 21.0% and 36.4%, respectively (P<0.05) which shows significant difference. The experiment also referenced the observations by Ashman and Ellinggon that macrophage activity increases with rising body temperature, confirming the scientific basis of the original prescription's "drinking warm porridge and covering up." Additionally, by grouping observations based on different administration times, it was found that the optimal effect was achieved by taking 2–3 doses per day or continuous administration over several days, which aligns with Zhongjing's records of "subsequent doses at shorter intervals" and "repeat if not cured."