HERB FORMULAS

CHAI HU SHU GAN TANG

English: Bupleurum Powder to Spread the Liver
Also Known As: Powder to Disperse Vital Energy in the Liver

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Per. Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi 6-9g Regulates Qi, adjusts the middle, improves the transportive function of the Spleen, relieves the diaphragm and descends Qi.
Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu 6-12g Resolves Shao Yang, spreads Liver Qi and relieves Stagnation.
With Bai Shao, for vertigo, dizziness, rib pain and menstrual irregularity due to Liver Qi Stagnation.
With Xiang Fu and Bai Shao, for pain and distention in the chest and flanks.
Rx. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong 3-6g Invigorates Blood, promotes Qi movement, moves Qi upward and alleviates headache pain.
With Xiang Fu, for Qi Stagnation combined with Blood Stasis.
Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke 4.5-9g Moves Qi, disperses Heat and reduces distention and pressure.
Rx. Paeoniae Alba Bai Shao 4.5-9g Nourishes the Blood, regulates menses, sedates Liver Yang, alleviates pain, preserves the Yin and adjusts the Ying and Wei.
With Gan Cao, for abdominal pain due to disharmony between the Liver and Stomach.
Fried Rx. Glycyrrhizae Zhi Gan Cao 1-3g Tonifies the Spleen, augments Qi and harmonizes.
Rz. Cyperi Xiang Fu 4.5-9g Regulates Liver Qi, regulates menstruation, alleviates pain and relieves depression.
With Chai Hu, for Qi Stagnation and menstrual irregularity.

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Spreads Liver Qi
  • Promotes Qi circulation
  • Harmonizes the Blood
  • Alleviates pain

SYNDROMES

  • Liver Qi Stagnation
  • Liver Qi Stagnation: Liver Qi Invades the Stomach

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Hypochondriac pain and distention
  • Alternating fever and chills
  • Depression
  • Easily angered
  • Chest fullness
  • Bitter taste in mouth
  • Fidgeting
  • Abdominal pain and cramps
  • Breast distention and pain
  • Irritability
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Amenorrhea
  • T: Pink
  • C: Thin and white
  • P: Wiry or Tight

TREATS

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Do not use without modification for those with Yin Deficient Heat.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

MODIFICATIONS

For Liver Qi Stagnation that has transformed into Liver Fire:
For severe abdominal pain:
+ Fr. Gardeniae Zhi Zi + Rz. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo
+ Fr. Toosendan Chuan Lian Zi + Fr. Toosendan Chuan Lian Zi
For a bitter taste in mouth and a burning sensation in the Stomach:
 For chest pain:
+ Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
+ Rx. Curcumae
+ Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin + Rx. Aucklandiae Mu Xiang
For Liver cancer: + Bul. Lilii Bai He
+ Rx. Aucklandiae Mu Xiang
+ Rx. Linderae
+ Mylabris
For Spleen Deficiency:
+ Fr. Akebiae Ba Yue Zha + Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Bai Zhu
For fibrocystic breast disease: + Poria Fu Ling
+ Spica Prunellae Xia Ku Cao
For distending pain in the breast:
+ Sm. Vaccariae Wang Bu Liu Xing + Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Dan Shen
+ Per. Trichosanthis Gua Luo Pi + 30g Fr. Hordei Germ. Mai Ya
+ Fol. Citri Reticulatae Ju Ye
For alternating chills and fever:
+ 30 g. Baked Concha Ostreae Duan Mu Li - Rx. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong
+ Rx. Angelica Sinensis Dang Gui + Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin
For belching and acid reflux:
+ Hb. Artemesiae Annuae Qing Hao
+ Endoconcha Sepiae Hai Piao Xiao
For breast distention and pain due to Disharmony between the Stomach and Liver:
For Liver spots:
+ Ginseng, Poria and Atractylodes Macrocephalae Powder
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
+ Rx. Angelicae Dahuricae (topically) Bai Zhi
For severe hypochondriac pain:
For severe pain, add two or three of the following:
+ Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui
+ 9g Fr. Toosendan Chuan Lian Zi + Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin
+ 9g Rz. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo + Rx. Linderae Wu Yao
+ 6 g Myrrh Mo Yao
For nausea and vomiting:
+ 6g Olibanum Ru Xiang + 9g Flos Inulae Xuan Fu Hua
+ 6g per. Citri Reticulatae Viride Qing Pi + 9g Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia
+ 6g Sm. Sinapis Bai Jie Zi + 6g Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang
For belching and acid regurgitation:
For Liver Heat disturbing the Stomach with hypochondriac pain, indeterminate gnawing hunger, acid regurgitation, vomiting, belching and a bitter taste in the mouth:
+ Concha Arcae Wa Leng Zi
+ Endoconcha Sepiae Hai Piao Shao
or
 + Rz. Coptidis Huang Lian
+ Endoconcha Sepiae Hai Piao Xiao + Fr. Evodiae Wu Zhu Yu
+ Concha Ostreae Mu Li
For Qi stagnation generating Heat with increased hypochondriac pain, irritability, facial flushing, dry mouth, red and sore eyes, a yellow tongue coat and a wiry and rapid pulse, add two or three of the following:
For prostatic hypertrophy:
+ Aquilaria Decoction
Chen Xiang Tang
For prostatic hypertrophy with anxiety and a quick temper:
+ 9g Cx. Moutan Mu Dan Pi
+ Aquilaria Decoction
Chen Xiang Tang
 + 9g Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin
+ Cx. Moutan Mu Dan Pi + 9g Fr. Gardeniae Zhi Zi
+ Fr. Gardeniae Zhi Zi + 9g Fr. Toosendan Chuan Lian Zi
+ Rx. Gentianae Long Dan Cao + 9g Flos Chrysanthemi Ju Hua
For emotional stability:
+ 9g Ram. Uncariae cum Uncis Gou Teng
+ Cx. Albizziae He Huan Pi
+ Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin
For Heat due to Stagnation:
For Liver Heat:
+ Cx. Moutan Mu Dan Pi
+ Sp. Prunellae Xia Ku Cao + Fr. Gardeniae Zhi Zi
+ Rx. Scutellariae Huang Qin
For painful diarrhea during menstruation:
For mild diarrhea during menstruation without pain:
+ Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng
+ Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Bai Zhu + Per. Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi
For Liver Invading the Stomach:
For hepatitis C with costal pain:
+ Fr. Evodiae Wu Zhu Yu + Fr. Toosendan Chuan Lian Zi
+ Per. Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi
For hepatitis C with Blood Stagnation:
+ Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia + Rx. Curcumae Yu Jin
For hepatitis C with Blood Stagnation causing menstrual cramps:
or
+ Flos Carthami Hong Hua + Rz. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo
or
For hepatitis C with Blood Stagnation in the Luo channels:
+ Hb. Leonuri Yi Mu Cao + Hb. Lycopi Ze Lan
or
or
+ Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Dan Shen + Hb. Eupatorii Pei Lan
For obesity due to Qi and Blood Stagnation:
   
+ Four Substance Decoction with Safflower and Peach Pit
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang