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Pungent and bitter in flavor, it dries dampness, tonifies Yang, and invigorates blood.
Bitter enters the Heart, pungent travels through the Blood. It can guide blood circulation, induce sweating, transform pus, internally support the expulsion of toxins in carbuncles and sores (similar to Dingxiang [Caryophylli Flos], treating collapsed smallpox),
nourishes essence, brightens the eyes, eliminates stasis, generates flesh, tonifies labor injuries, warms the waist and knees, and reconnects sinews and bones.
Treats wind-bi with masses, dysphagia with abdominal fullness, cold pain in the abdomen, and nine types of heartache (namely worm, zhu [malaria-like pathogen], wind, palpitation, food, fluid, cold, heat, and wandering pain; all are caused by pathogens invading the collaterals of the Hand-Shaoyin [Heart] meridian, where pathogenic and righteous qi clash, thus causing heartache).

Light in nature, it releases the muscle layer and harmonizes Ying and Wei.
Pungent, sweet, and warm in flavor, its Qi is light, ascending, and floating. Enters the Taiyin Lung and Taiyang Bladder meridians. Warms the meridians, unblocks vessels, induces sweating, and releases the muscle layer (can benefit Lung Qi. The classic states: Pungent and sweet dispersing actions belong to Yang).
Treats wind-cold headache (induces sweating when there is no sweat), stroke with spontaneous sweating (stops sweating when present. "Zhong" [strike] is synonymous with "Shang" [injure], commonly used in ancient texts; spontaneous sweating belongs to Yang deficiency. Guizhi [Ramulus Cinnamomi] serves as the Sovereign herb, Shaoyao [Radix Paeoniae Rubra or Alba] and Gancao [Radix Glycyrrhizae] as ministers. Adding Shengjiang [Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens] and Dazao [Fructus Jujubae] forms Guizhi Tang [Cinnamon Twig Decoction], which can harmonize Ying and solidify the exterior), harmonizes Ying and Wei, allowing pathogens to exit via sweat, thereby stopping spontaneous sweating. Also treats gout in hands and feet, and wind affecting the hypochondrium (gout varies into wind-phlegm, wind-dampness, damp-phlegm, blood stasis, Qi deficiency, and Blood deficiency. Guizhi acts as a guiding herb. Hypochondriac wind belongs to the Liver; Cinnamomum can soothe the Liver. Li Dongyuan stated: Guizhi traverses the arms horizontally because it is a twig. He also said: Light Qi dissipates; Guizhi ascends to release the exterior. Dense Qi generates heat; Rougui [Cortex Cinnamomi] descends to tonify the Kidney. Wang Haogu stated: Someone asked why Guizhi stops irritability and induces sweating. Zhang Zhongjing used Guizhi Tang in many places for inducing sweating in Shanghan [Cold Damage]. He also said that Guizhi should not be used when there is no sweat, while Guizhi-Gancao Tang is used when sweat is excessive, which seems to close sweat pores. Are these two meanings consistent? The answer is: Zhang Zhongjing said that in Taiyang disease with fever and sweating, this indicates weak Ying and strong Wei. When Yin is deficient, Yang must gather there, so Guizhi is used to induce sweating. This actually harmonizes Ying Qi, so Wei Qi becomes balanced, leaving no room for wind pathogens, and they resolve with sweat. This is different from Mahuang [Herba Ephedrae], which opens the cou li [skin pores] to forcibly expel sweat. When sweat is excessive, Guizhi is used to harmonize Ying and Wei, allowing pathogens to exit with sweat, thus stopping the sweat; it does not close the sweat pores. It is suitable only for those with existing sweat. If Shanghan presents with no sweat, the primary treatment should be inducing sweating, not merely harmonizing Ying and Wei! Therefore, it is said that Guizhi should not be taken when there is no sweat, and Mahuang should not be taken when there is sweat. The Shanghan Li [Example of Cold Damage] states: If Guizhi is swallowed and Yang is excessive, death ensues; if Chengqi Tang [Gastro-Intestinal Purging Decoction] enters the stomach and Yin is excessive, death ensues).