Formula Formulas that vent membrane source

Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang

柴胡桂姜汤

Also known as:

Bupleurum , Cinnamon Twig , and Ginger Decoction , Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang

Formula Composition

Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Mu Li ke
Mu Li ke
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang
Tian Hua Fen
Tian Hua Fen
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
  2. Removes Stagnation
  3. Warms the Interior
  4. Dispels Cold

Patterns Treated

Interior Cold

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang

Main Actions

Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
Removes Stagnation
Warms the Interior
Dispels Cold

Key TCM Concepts

Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) and Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that vent membrane source. Its main actions are: 1) harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang and 2) removes Stagnation .

 

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.

 

In this case Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Interior Cold. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, malaria or hepatitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Interior Cold

Common Applications

Common cold Malaria Hepatitis Meningitis Pulmonary tuberculosis Pneumonia Urinary tract infection Bacillary dysentery Allergic colitis Chronic hepatitis Cholecystitis Gastritis Peptic ulcers Fibrocystic breast disease Cirrhosis Scrofula Perimenopausal syndrome Postpartum fever Leukorrhea Erectile dysfunction Sinus tachycardia Gastric ptosis Insomnia Meniere's disese Diabetes Postcholecystectomy diarrhea

Ingredients in Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Chai Hu Gui Jiang 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 Hu Gui Jiang Tang
In general Chai Hu's main actions are as follows: "Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang."

In the context of Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang, it is used because it removes Qi Stagnation in the Exterior. Bupleurum root vents the Lesser Yang.
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Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang
In general Gui Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood."

In the context of Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang, it is used because it removes Qi Stagnation in the Exterior. Cinnamon twigs disperse newly-contracted Wind-Cold.
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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 Hu Gui Jiang Tang
Huang Qin assists the action of the key herbs by focusing on the lurking Heat in the Interior. It also drains Heat from the Lesser Yang.
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Mu Li ke
Mu Li ke

Oyster shells

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Gallbladder, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The shell
Role in Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang
Mu Li ke assists the action of the key herbs by focusing on the lurking Heat in the Interior. It has a long history in the treatment of malarial disorders. Its cooling action is of undoubted importance, its ability to soften and thereby remove constraint is equally useful. It is also recommended for expelling pathogens from the Greater Yang, Lesser Yang, and Terminal Yin Channels.
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Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang

Dried ginger

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang
Gan Jiang promotes Qi circulation in the Middle Burner. It also warms the Yang Qi of the Spleen, and enables it to transform accumulated Body Fluids.
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Tian Hua Fen
Tian Hua Fen

Snake gourd roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang
Tian Hua Fen promotes Qi circulation in the Middle Burner. Snake gourd root enriches the Fluids of the Stomach, which have been damaged by Heat constraint.
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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 Hu Gui Jiang Tang
Gan Cao harmonizes the opposing flavors and qualities of the herbs in the formula, enabling them to disperse the pathogens that are at the root of this disorder while replenishing the body's own true Qi.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula treats a pattern of mixed Excess and Eeficiency. It should not be prescribed for patterns of pure Excess or Eeficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Chai Hu Gui Jiang 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.