Formula Formulas that promote Qi movement

Chai Hu Shu Gan San

柴胡疏肝散

Also known as:

Bupleurum Powder to Dredge the Liver

Formula Composition

Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Ju He
Ju He
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula
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Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
  2. Alleviates pain
  3. Harmonizes Blood

Patterns Treated

Rebellious Qi, Liver Blood Stagnation, Heart Vessel obstructed, Rebellious Liver Qi, Small Intestine Qi Pain, Large Intestine Qi Stagnation, Qi And Blood Stagnation, Liver Qi Stagnation, Qi Stagnation

Historical Origin

Indispensable Tools for Pattern Treatment (1602)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Chai Hu Shu Gan San

Main Actions

Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
Alleviates pain
Harmonizes Blood

Key TCM Concepts

Chai Hu Shu Gan San is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1602, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement. Its main actions are: 1) disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood and 2) alleviates pain.

 

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 Shu Gan San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Rebellious Qi, Liver Blood Stagnation or Heart Vessel obstructed. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as late menstruation, hepatitis or chronic gastritis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Rebellious Qi
  • Liver Blood Stagnation
  • Heart Vessel obstructed
  • Rebellious Liver Qi
  • Small Intestine Qi Pain
  • Large Intestine Qi Stagnation
  • Qi And Blood Stagnation
  • Liver Qi Stagnation
  • Qi Stagnation

Common Applications

Late menstruation Hepatitis Chronic gastritis Chronic cholecystitis Peptic ulcers Intercostal neuralgia

Ingredients in Chai Hu Shu Gan San

Detailed information about each herb in Chai Hu Shu Gan San 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 Shu Gan San
Chai Hu enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians to facilitate the Liver's out thrusting functions by clearing Stagnation.
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Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Chuan Xiong is a powerful herb that can enter the Qi and Blood aspects of the Liver to remove stagnation and stop pain.
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Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu

Coco-grass rhizomes

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Chai Hu Shu Gan San
In general Xiang Fu's main actions are as follows: "Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain."

In the context of Chai Hu Shu Gan San, it is used because it enters the Liver meridian to regulate its Qi.
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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 Hu Shu Gan San
Bai Shao acts to nourish the Blood, together with Liquorice another assistant. This softens the Liver (which, according to Chinese medicine, stores the Blood) which helps stop the pain.
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Ju He
Ju He

Bitter orange seeds

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Ju He works together with Tangerine peel, another assistant, to regulate the Qi of the Stomach and the Intestines. Also they together direct Qi downward to help remove the excess buildup of it in the chest and th Middle Burner (what creates the symptoms of distention and a sensation of fullness).
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Chen Pi
Chen Pi

Tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the ripe fruit
Role in Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Chen Pi works together with Bitter orange seeds , another assistant, to regulate the Qi of the Stomach and the Intestines. Also they together direct Qi downward to help remove the excess buildup of it in the chest and th Middle Burner (what creates the symptoms of distention and a sensation of fullness).
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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 Shu Gan San
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Chai Hu Shu Gan San, it is used because it is used as an envoy to harmonize the various actions of the other herbs.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Chai Hu Shu Gan San

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for long-term use or for patients with Liver Qi stagnation type pain due to Qi or Yin Deficiency, because his formula is aromatic, acrid, and drying and it injures the Qi and Yin.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Chai Hu Shu Gan San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.