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Herbs & Cultures

Kampo: Japanese herbal medicine →

Keishitō, cinnamon decoction

Cinnamon, peony root, jujube, liquorice and ginger: one of the basic formulas of Japanese Kampo.

Traditional use

Time
1 hour
Makes
For 1 day, divided over 3 cups
Cinnamon

Keishitō (桂枝湯) comes from the Shanghan lun, a Chinese work from around 200 CE that became the foundation of Kampo in Japan. The decoction is meant for the beginning of a cold in people who are somewhat weak, sweat easily and feel cold. In Japan keishitō is a registered medicine prescribed by doctors.

Ingredients

  • 4 g cinnamon bark (cassia)
  • 4 g dried white peony root
  • 4 g dried jujube
  • 2 g dried liquorice root
  • 1.5 g dried ginger
  • 600 ml water

Step by step

  1. Put the herbs with the cold water in a pan of glass, enamel or stainless steel.
  2. Bring to the boil and simmer uncovered until about half is left, 40–50 minutes.
  3. Strain and divide into three portions. Drink them warm, before meals.

Tips

  • The dried herbs are sold in shops for Chinese herbs; ask for gui zhi tang.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 38

    Cinnamon

    Cinnamomum verum

    A spice made from inner bark. Research on health effects is preliminary; cinnamon is not a treatment.

    Ayurveda+8Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 132

    Chinese peony (bai shao)

    Paeonia lactiflora en P. suffruticosa

    The peeled root (bai shao, white peony) is used in Chinese medicine for cramps, period pain and muscle pain. There are studies of combination formulas but few of peony alone.

    Chinese medical traditions+3
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 636

    Jujube (red date)

    Ziziphus jujuba

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet and strengthening in fatigue, anaemia and low energy; builds strength and blood and softens herbal dishes.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 18

    Licorice root

    Glycyrrhiza glabra

    A root with long use in several traditions; high-quality evidence does not support most health claims.

    Ayurveda+9Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.