Guizhi(Cinnamomi Ramulus), a traditional Chinese medicine herb with a long history, functions as a pungent-warm exterior-releasing agent, inducing sweating to releasing the exterior, warming meridians to dredge Yang, and dispersing cold to relieve pain. Its key components, including cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, polysaccharides, coumarins and tannins, are crucial in clinical therapy. This review summarized the usage and pharmacological actions of Guizhi(Cinnamomi Ramulus)alone and in combinations with herbs like Baishao(Paeoniae Radix Alba), Gancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Mahuang(Ephedrae Herba), Fuling(White Poria), Huangqi(Astragali Radix)and Fuzi(Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), based on literature analysis. Guizhi(Cinnamomi Ramulus)and its pairs show diverse pharmacological effects. Formulations containing these pairs exhibit significant effects in areas such as antipyresis, antiviral activity, anti-inflammation, analgesia, antitumor activity, hypoglycemia, hypolipidemia, anti-atherosclerosis, cardiomyoprotection and neurofunctional improvement. Comparative studies show the enhanced pharmacological effects when Guizhi(Cinnamomi Ramulus)is combined with other herbs. This research provided insights into the mechanisms of Guizhi(Cinnamomi Ramulus)and its pairs, contributed to the understanding of herbal compatibility, and opened new avenues for the development and clinical application of Guizhi(Cinnamomi Ramulus)and its herbal combinations.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |