桂枝　味甘、辛，氣香，性溫，入足厥陰肝、足太陽膀胱經。入肝家而行血分，走經絡而達營郁，善解風邪，最調木氣，升清陽脫陷，降濁陰沖逆，舒筋脈之急攣，利關節之壅阻，入肝膽而散遏抑，極止痛楚，通經絡而開痹澀，甚去濕寒，能止奔豚，更安驚悸。

Guìzhī: 

Sweet and acrid flavour, with a fragrant qi and warm nature. Enters the foot Jueyin liver and foot Taiyang bladder channels. [By] entering the liver domain it moves the blood layer and the channels and network vessels, as well as outthrusts depressed nutritive [qi]. [It is] excellent at resolving wind pathogens, and most excellent at regulating wood qi. It ascends clear yang, which has fallen and deserted, as well as downbears turbid yin, which has resulted in turbid counterflow. Guìzhī soothes tension and hypertonicity in the sinews and disinhibits congestion and obstruction in the joints. By entering the liver and gallbladder it dissipates and restrains, which results in the resolution of pain. It frees the channels and network vessels thereby opening impediment, excels at eliminating damp-cold, is able to alleviate running piglet, and calms fright palpitations. 

The above short little ditty on this beautiful herb, is an example of some of the rich textual works we’ll be covering in my upcoming class on the Guìzhī formula family. For anyone interested in being notified about these classes and any upcoming ones, please feel free to add yourself to my newsletter list by clicking here!