Formula

Da Chai Hu Tang

Major Bupleurum Decoction | 大柴胡汤

Da Chai Hu Tang

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Actions

Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang (Shao Yang), Drains internal clumping due to Heat

Category

Formulas that release the Exterior and purge the Interior

Key Ingredients

Chai Hu, Da Huang

Formula Details

Learn more about Da Chai Hu Tang's TCM properties

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$45.00 ($0.45/g)
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Product Overview

Detailed information about this formula product

Product Type

Granules

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Treasure of the East

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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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Usage & Safety

How to use this formula and important safety information

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. This formula is a dietary supplement and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any adverse reactions.

Recommended Dosage

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Modern Usage

Da Chai Hu Tang is classified as a formula for releasing both the Exterior and Interior. It has the effects of harmonizing the Shao Yang Stage (according to the 6 Stage Theory of Zhang Zhong Jing) and purging internal Heat accumulation. It is primarily used to treat combined Shao Yang and Yang Ming Stage disorders. Symptoms include alternating chills and fever, fullness and discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium, persistent vomiting, slight irritability, hardness and fullness below the heart (epigastric region), or fullness and pain below the heart, constipation, or diarrhea with heat, a yellow tongue coating, and a wiry, rapid, and forceful pulse. Clinically, this formula is often used to treat conditions such as acute pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, cholelithiasis (gallstones), and gastric and duodenal ulcers that present with combined Shao Yang and Yang Ming stage patterns.

Cautions & Warnings

Although this formula is typically safe for most individuals, it may cause side effects in some people. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, and those with liver disease should use the formula with caution.

As with any Chinese herbal remedy, it is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified TCM practitioner before beginning treatment.

TCM Properties

Traditional Chinese Medicine characteristics and actions of this formula

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. This formula is a dietary supplement and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any adverse reactions.

This is just partial information on the formula's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the formula's dedicated page

Formula Category

Formulas that release the Exterior and purge the Interior

Main Actions

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

Formula Origin

Discussion of Cold Damage (220 AD)

Formula Description

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.