Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
柴胡桂枝湯

 

 

Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction

AboutHerbsCaution/Notes
Health Benefits 
For: Epigastric pain • Onset of cold/flu symptoms • Epilepsy • Colitis • Hepatitis • Liver cirrhosis • Nephritis • Gastritis • Insomnia • Frozen shoulder • Chronic pancreatitis
Attributes: Immunostimulant • Anti-inflammatory • Analgesic • Hepatoprotective • Antiulcer
Products (online examples)

Extract

Tablets

Capsules

Granules

Research (sample)
Categories (Click on ⌕ for other formulas in the category)
Category: Harmonize ⌕     Subcategory: Harmonize Lesser Yang-Stage Disorders ⌕      Family: Chai Hu Lei Fang ⌕      Source: Shang Han Lun  ⌕       Related Formula: Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Actions
Clear heat • Release exterior • Dispel pathogens • Release muscle layer • Harmonize lesser yang stage disorder • Harmonize nutritive and protective qi
Indications and Contraindications
Appearance: Tongue -Dark red body with yellow or white greasy coat      Pulse -Superficial, forceless, or floating      Face/other 
Patterns: Yang deficiency • Disharmony of liver and spleen 
Indications: Epigastric pain • Onset of cold symptoms • General joint pain • Slight aversion to cold • Mild fever • Chills • Nausea • Agitation • Poor appetite • Unexplained sweating
Contraindications: Cold food • Greasy food • Raw food
Properties
Attributes: Immunostimulant • Anti-inflammatory • Analgesic • Hepatoprotective • Antiulcer
Characteristics: Data adapted from product found online.

HERBS Cat/Dose Actions Properties
Chai Hu • Thorowax • 柴胡 Release Exterior Wind Heat
12 g
Harmonize interior and exterior • Reduce fevers • Reduce chills • Soothe liver Qi • Clear muscle layer heat • Tonify stomach QiPungent and dispersing Antibiotic • Antipyretic • Anti-inflammatory • Antibaterial • Antiviral • Analgesic • Hepatoprotective • Immunemodulatory • Chemoprotective • Anti-tumor • Cholagogic • Sedative • Immunostimulate
Huang Qin • Baical Skullcap • 黄芩 ♥ Clear Heat Dry Dampness
4.5 g
Clear heat • Dry dampness • Stop bleeding • Calm fetus • Calm liver yang rising • Clear damp heat Antibiotic • Anti-inflammatory • Antioxidative • Antipyretic • Cholagogic • Hepatoprotective • Hypoglycemic • Hypotensive • Neuroprotective • Sedative
Ban Xia • Pinellia Root • 半夏 Phlegm Cold
6g -9g
Transforms damp-phlegm • Direct stomach Qi downward• Stop cough/ wheezing • Relieve nausea & vomiting • Dissolve nodules and swellingsFan Ban Xia - deep fried with vinegar, Ming Fan, and Sheng Jiang • Jiang Ban Xia - fried with ginger juice Warming • Drying • Antitussive • Antiemetic
Ren Shen • Ginseng • 人参 Tonify Qi
4.5 g
Tonify yuan qi • Tonify lung qi • Tonify heart qi • Calms spirit • Stop thirst • Helps impotence • Treats qi collapse • Tonify Spleen • Generate fluid • Stop thirst • Strengthen anti-pathogenic qi adaptogen • anti-aging • anticoagulant • antiplatelet • antioxidant • antiplatelet • immunity booster • anti-inflammatory • antidepressant • hepatoprotective • stimulant
Da Zao • Jujube • 大枣 Tonify Qi
6 Pieces
Tonify spleen • Tonify qi • Calm the spirit • Harmonize other herb's properties • Nourish blood  Antibacterial • Antidepressant • Anti-inflammatory • Expectorant • Hepatoprotective • Hypotensive • Sedative
Gan Cao • Licorice Root • 甘草 Tonify Qi
3 g
Tonify Spleen Qi • Tonify Heart qi • Clear heat • Resolve toxicity • Stop cough • Dispel phlegm • Lubricate lungs • Stop wheezing • Reduce spasm • Relieve pain • Harmonize other herb effectsEnters all 12 channels, often serve as envoy in a formula. Hypoglycemic • Antiarrhythmic • Expectorant • Antidiarrheal • Antiulcer • Hepatoprotective • Antiulcer • Immunostimulant • Antitussive • Antiviral • Detox • Demulcent • Anti-inflammatory • Laxative • Emmenagogue • Antimicrobial • Spasmolytic
Sheng Jiang • Ginger (Raw) • 生姜 Release Exterior Wind Cold
4.5 g
Release exterior • Stops vomiting • Relieve Nausea • Stops cough • Reduce herb toxicity • Regulate central flow of Qi Expectorant • Cough Suppressant • Digestive • Hypotensive • Antiplatelet • Stimulant • Analgesic • Anti-inflammatory • Antipyretic • Cholagogic • Antiemetic • Antimutagenic
Gui Zhi • Cinnamon Twig • 桂枝 Release Exterior Wind Cold
4.5 g
Unblock yang Qi • Warm channels • Expel Cold in muscle layer • Improve circulation • Relieve pain Antimicrobial • anticoagulant • teratogenic • emmenagogue • antiparasitic • antibiotic • hypoglycemic •analgesic • anti-inflammatory • antioxidant • free radical scavenging • sedative • memory enhancer
Bai Shao • White Root Peony • 白芍 Tonify Blood
4.5 g
Nourish blood • Regulate menses • Soothes liver • Relieve pain • Preserve yin • Reduce spasms • Harmonize Ying and Wei Qi analgesic • antibacterial • anti-inflammatory • hepatoprotective • immune system boost • sedative
King/Chief    ♥ Minister/Deputy      Assistant     ♦ Envoy
Decoction Directions:
Modifications For
+ Ge Gen + Sheng Ma Joint pain 22
+ Zhi Shi + Jie Geng Epigastric pain 22 

Caution
ALERT: Contraindications of each herb - use with caution under these conditions:
Chai Hu: Do not use as intramuscular injections • Liver fire • Hyperactive liver yang • Cytochrome P450, 2C9, 2E1, 2D6, and 3A4 • Greater than 19g may lead to liver injury
Huang Qin: Pregnancy • Children • Breast feeding • Deficiency heat in lungs • Middle burner cold • Restless fetus from cold • Edema • Blood deficiecy abdominal pain • Spleen deficiency • Kidney deficiency diarrhea • Poor appetite • Blood deficiency • High risk pregnancy • Fetal heat
Ban Xia: Yin deficiency cough • Bleeding • Dehydration • Heat • Pregnancy • Incompatible with Wu Tou and Fu Zi • Antidepressant drugs • Blood pressure medication • Terfenadine (antihistamine) • Foods: lamb, goat
Ren Shen: Autoimmune disorder • Blood thinner medication • Diabetes medication • Blood pressure medication • Caffeine • Yin deficiency • Stagnant fire • Hypertension • Bleeding disorders • Pain in chest • Excess heat
Da Zao: Epigastric discomfort and bloating • Food stagnation • Damp excess • Damp Phlegm • Intestinal worms
Gan Cao: High blood pressure • Low potassium • Pork • Seaweed • Chinese cabbage • Anti-diabetic drugs • Diuretic drugs
Sheng Jiang: Lung heat • Dry cough • Phlegm heat • Full heat • Yin deficiency with heat • Vomiting from stomach heat • Gallstones • Exterior deficiency with unexplained sweating • Horse meat
Gui Zhi: Pregnancy • Liver Wind • Measles • Open skin sores
Bai Shao: Deficiency cold • Breast feeding • Pregnancy • Bleeding Disorder • Scheduled Surgery
Notes
  • This formula is made by combining Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) with Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)

Formula Discussions: Easterncurrents.ca

 

Bibliography: [3], [8], [9], [14]

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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