Gui Pi Tang

Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More
Gui Pi Tang

Common Names

  • Gui Pi Wan
  • Gui Pi Pian
  • Restore the Spleen decoction
  • Earth Restoring decoction
  • Decoction for replenishing Spleen and Stomach
  • Kihito

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For Patients & Caregivers

Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.

Gui Pi Tang (GPT) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula. It’s made up of 12 different herbs.  

Gui Pi Tang is used to:

  • Treat insomnia (trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early)
  • Treat anxiety (strong feelings of worry or fear)

Talk with your healthcare providers before taking herbal formulas. They can interact with some medications and affect how they work. For more information, read the “What else do I need to know?” section below.

Side effects of GPT may include:

  • Constipation (difficult or infrequent bowel movements)
  • Increase in blood pressure

For Healthcare Professionals

Gui Pi Tang (GPT) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula with a history of use as a treatment for insomnia and anxiety. Described in the 11th century book Ji Sheng Fang, this formula consists of 12 herbs: Ren Shen (Panax ginseng), Huang Qi (Astragalus henryi), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes ovata), Fu Shen (Poria Cocos), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus jujuba), Long Yan Rou (Euphoria longans), Mu Xiang (Inula racemosa), Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), Yuan Zhi (Polygala tenuifolia), Sheng Jiang (Zingiber officinale) and Da Zao (Zizyphus vulgaris).

Systematic reviews found GPT to be among the commonly used formulas for treating insomnia  (1) (2) and anemia  (3) (4). GPT and its modified version Jia Wei Gui Pi Tang also mitigated symptoms in patients with alzheimer’s disease  (5) and dementia  (6).

In cancer settings, findings suggest GPT may improve cancer-related cachexia  (7), and survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia  (8).

Large, methodologically-robust clinical trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base.

  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety

The mechanisms underlying the effects of GPT have yet to be elucidated. In a murine model, it was shown to improve stress-induced brain dysfunction by preventing adverse effects of corticosterone on cell survival, new-born immature neurons, spine density and neurotrophic factors (9).

Constipation and elevated blood pressure were reported in a study (7).

None known.

  1. Yeung WF, Chung KF, Poon MM, et al. Chinese herbal medicine for insomnia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Sleep Med Rev. Dec 2012;16(6):497-507. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2011.12.005
  2. Ni X, Shergis JL, Zhang AL, et al. Traditional Use of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Insomnia and Priorities Setting of Future Clinical Research. J Altern Complement Med. Jan 2019;25(1):8-15. doi:10.1089/acm.2018.0249
  3. Chen WD, Huang HS, Su YC, et al. The characteristics and prescription patterns of Chinese herbal medicine in clinical practice for the treatment of anemia. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. Aug 2018;57(4):570-577. doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2018.06.030
  4. Chiu ML, Hsu YL, Chen CJ, et al. Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy Reduces the Risks of Overall and Anemia-Related Mortalities in Patients With Aplastic Anemia: A Nationwide Retrospective Study in Taiwan. Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:730776. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.730776
  5. Watari H, Shimada Y, Matsui M, Tohda C. Kihito, a Traditional Japanese Kampo Medicine, Improves Cognitive Function in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:4086749. doi:10.1155/2019/4086749
  6. Nogami T, Iwasaki K, Kimura H, et al. Traditional Chinese medicine Jia Wei Gui Pi Tang improves behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and favourable positive emotions in patients. Psychogeriatrics. May 2023;23(3):503-511. doi:10.1111/psyg.12962
  7. Zhao N, Jin H, Liu Q, Ge S, Tian Y. Clinical observation on guipi decoction paste in treatment of advanced cancer Cachexia state. J Hubei Univ Chin Med. 2018;20(70-2)
  8. Fleischer T, Chang TT, Chiang JH, Sun MF, Yen HR. Improved Survival With Integration of Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study. Integr Cancer Ther. Jun 2017;16(2):156-164. doi:10.1177/1534735416664171
  9. Araki R, Tachioka H, Kita A, et al. Kihito prevents corticosterone-induced brain dysfunctions in mice. J Tradit Complement Med. Nov 2021;11(6):513-519. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.05.002
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