Formula Formulas that clear Wind-Heat

Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang

柴葛解肌汤

Also known as:

Bupleurum and Kudzu Decoction to Release the Muscle Layer

Formula Composition

Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Ge Gen
Ge Gen
Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Shi Gao
Shi Gao
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Da Zao
Da Zao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Releases pathogenic evils from the muscle layer
  2. Clears Interior Heat
  3. Dispels Wind-Cold

Historical Origin

Six Texts on Cold Damage (1445 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang

Main Actions

Releases pathogenic evils from the muscle layer
Clears Interior Heat
Dispels Wind-Cold

Key TCM Concepts

Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) and Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1445 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Wind-Heat. Its main actions are: 1) releases pathogenic evils from the muscle layer and 2) clears Interior Heat .

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, influenza or gingivitis for instance.

Ingredients in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Chai Hu
Chai Hu

Bupleurum roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
Chai Hu is cool, acrid. It releases the Pernicious Influencer from the muscle layer while concurrently clearing Heat.
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Ge Gen
Ge Gen

Kudzu roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
Ge Gen is cool, acrid. It releases the Pernicious Influencer from the muscle layer while concurrently clearing Heat.
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Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo

Notopterygium roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried rhizome and root
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
Qiang Huo , together with Angelica root, helps the key herbs to release the Exterior and alleviate pain. Both herbs enter into the Greater Yang and Yang Brightness Channels and thereby assist in focusing the formula on this territory.
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Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi

Angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
Bai Zhi , together with Notopterygium root, helps the key herbs to release the Exterior and alleviate pain. Both herbs enter into the Greater Yang and Yang Brightness Channels and thereby assist in focusing the formula on this territory.
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Huang Qin
Huang Qin

Baikal skullcap roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Lungs, Small Intestine, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
In general Huang Qin's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome."

In the context of Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang, it is used because it clears Heat from the Lungs and Upper Burner.
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Shi Gao
Shi Gao

Gypsum

Temperature Cold
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
Shi Gao clears Heat from the Yang Brightness Channel. Its dosage is fairly modest as the Pernicious Influencer has just entered the Yang Brightness Channel.
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Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
In general Jie Geng's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Burner. "

In the context of Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang, it is used because it facilitates the Lung Qi circulation and helps scatter the Pernicious Influencer from the Exterior.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
Bai Shao is sour and cold. It preserves the Yin by preventing the Exterior-releasing herbs from causing excessive sweating.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
Gan Cao harmonizes the actions of the other herbs. Together with Platycodon root, it also helps clear Heat from the Upper Burner, especially from the throat.
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Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."

In the context of Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang, it is used because it regulates the Protective and Nutritive Qi to facilitate the release of the Pernicious Influences.
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Da Zao
Da Zao

Jujube dates

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
In general Da Zao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula."

In the context of Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang, it is used because it regulates the Protective and Nutritive Qi to facilitate the release of the Pernicious Influences.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

This formula is not suitable for simple Exterior Wind-Heat disorders.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.