Gui Pi Wan
Panax ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis and 9 other herbs
A classical 12-herb Chinese formula used to tonify qi and blood, for palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, poor appetite and tiredness. Small Chinese trials suggest it may help heart failure and anaemia alongside standard treatment.
What is Gui Pi Wan?
- Plant family
- A formula of 12 herbs from several plant families
- Parts used
- Ginseng, longan fruit, atractylodes, astragalus, dang gui, poria, polygala, ziziphus seed, aucklandia, licorice, fresh ginger and jujube dates, as pills or decoctions
- Genus
- Panax / Astragalus / Angelica / Ziziphus and others
- Species
- ginseng / membranaceus / sinensis / jujuba and others
Also called
Guipi Decoction, Restore the Spleen
Traditional names
Gui Pi Tang, Guipi
Traditionally used for
- Insomnia and palpitations (traditional)
- Tiredness (traditional)
- Heart failure and anaemia (studied)
Traditionally described as
Health topics
Where Gui Pi Wan appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Fatigue
Traditionally used for tiredness and poor appetite; Chinese trials in anaemia suggest it may help alongside iron.
- Heart Palpitations
Traditionally used for palpitations; small Chinese trials in heart failure suggest it may help heart function.
- Sleep Problems (Insomnia)
A classical Chinese formula for insomnia with palpitations and forgetfulness. Not tested on its own for sleep in these reviews.
Traditions that use it
Traditional Chinese Medicine
A classical formula that tonifies qi and blood and strengthens the spleen and heart; used for palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, poor appetite and tiredness.
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
Gui pi is a classical Chinese formula of 12 ingredients: ginseng, longan fruit, atractylodes, astragalus, dang gui, poria, polygala, ziziphus seed, aucklandia root, licorice, fresh ginger and jujube dates. It's used to "tonify qi and blood" and strengthen the spleen and heart, mainly for:
- Palpitations
- Forgetfulness
- Insomnia
- Poor appetite
- Tiredness
Research in people
A 2023 review combined 17 Chinese trials with 1,806 people with chronic heart failure. Adding gui pi to standard treatment was linked to better heart function, with few side effects. The trials were small, and the reviewers say more rigorous trials are needed.[1]
A 2025 review of 13 Chinese trials with 954 people with anaemia found that adding gui pi to standard treatment, such as iron tablets, improved haemoglobin, red blood cells and iron levels more than standard treatment alone.[2]
In short
Trials were small; more rigorous trials are needed.
Sources
- [1] Efficacy and safety of Guipi Decoction in the treatment of chronic heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis · DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000033181Review or clinical trial
- [2] Systematic review and meta-analysis of Guipi Decoction in the treatment of anemia · DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000043625Review or clinical trial
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.