Formula Formulas that release the Exterior and purge the Interior

Da Chai Hu Tang

大柴胡汤

Also known as:

Major Bupleurum Decoction

Formula Composition

Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Da Huang
Da Huang
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Zhi Shi
Zhi Shi
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Da Zao
Da Zao
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
  2. Drains internal clumping due to Heat

Patterns Treated

Liver Yang Rising

Historical Origin

Discussion of Cold Damage (220 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Da Chai Hu Tang

Main Actions

Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
Drains internal clumping due to Heat

Key TCM Concepts

Da Chai Hu Tang is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) and Rhubarb (Da Huang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that release the Exterior and purge the Interior. Its main actions are: 1) harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang and 2) drains internal clumping due to 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.

 

In this case Da Chai Hu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Yang Rising. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as cholecystitis, cholelithiasis or pancreatis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Liver Yang Rising

Common Applications

Cholecystitis Cholelithiasis Pancreatis Peptic ulcers Viral hepatitis Enteric fever Scarlet fever Diabetes Hypertension Hyperlipidemia Fatty Liver Obesity Acute pancreatitis Acute cholecystitis Gastric ulcers Duodenal ulcers

Ingredients in Da Chai Hu Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Da Chai Hu 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 Da Chai Hu 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 Da Chai Hu Tang, it is used because it dredges the Lesser Yang and releases the Exterior.
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Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Da Chai Hu Tang
In general Da Huang's main actions are as follows: "Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis."

In the context of Da Chai Hu Tang, it is used because it enters the Yang Brightness to remove Heat and open the bowels.
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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 Da Chai Hu Tang
Huang Qin bitter and cold. Together with the key herb Bupleurum root, it clears Heat from the Lesser Yang. It also assists the other key herb Rhubarb in draining Heat from the bowels.
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Zhi Shi
Zhi Shi

Immature Bitter Oranges

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sour
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried unripe fruit
Role in Da Chai Hu Tang
Zhi Shi strongly invigorates Qi so as to remove Qi Stagnation. It helps to reduce focal distention and fullness in the chest and abdomen.Together with the key herb Bupleurum, it strengthens Qi circulation. When combined with Rhubarb, it breaks upclumping in the bowels.
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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 Da Chai Hu Tang
Bai Shao relaxes urgency and stops pain. Together with Immature Bitter Orange and Rhubarb, it treats the abdominal pain from Excess.
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Ban Xia
Ban Xia

Crow-dipper rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome and tuber
Role in Da Chai Hu Tang
Ban Xia harmonizes the Middle Burner and directs the Rebellious Stomach Qidownward. Together with one of the envoys, Fresh ginger, it can stop vomiting effectively.
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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 Da Chai Hu Tang
Da Zao assists White peony root in softening the Liver and easing abdominal pain. Both herbs also protects the Yin from injury by pathogenic Heat and from the harsh draining character of Rhubarb and Immature bitter orange.
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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 Da Chai Hu Tang
Sheng Jiang , together with Jujube dates, gently invigorates the Nutritive and Defensive Qi. They also help to removing all the pathogenic influence.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Da Chai Hu Tang

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

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Da Chai Hu 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.