HERB FORMULAS

SHU GAN TANG

English: Dredge the Liver Decoction
Also Known As: Spread the Liver Decoction
Bupleurum and Evodia Combination

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Rz. Coptidis fried in Fr. Evodiae Wu Zhu Yu Yu Huang Lian 6g Clears Damp-Heat at the Qi Level with diarrhea and nausea or Liver Stomach Disharmony causing Liver Fire with acid regurgitation, belching or nausea.
Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu 3-6g Spreads Liver Qi and relieves Stagnation.
With Bai Shao, for Liver Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation and vertigo, dizziness, thoracic and costal pain, and menstrual irregularity due to Liver Qi Stagnation.
With Bai Shao, Dang Gui and Chuan Xiong, harmonizes the Blood for irregular menstruation.
With Zhi Ke, for a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal pain, poor appetite, and irregular bowel movements.
With Bai Shao, Chuan Xiong and Zhi Ke, for Liver Qi Stagnation with hypochondriac fullness and pain.
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui 3-6g Tonifies Blood, regulates the menses, invigorates and harmonizes the Blood and disperses Cold (stops pain due to Blood Stasis).
With Tao Ren and Hong Hua, for amenorrhea, pain, swelling and other symptoms associated with Blood Stasis.
With Bai Shao, regulates and harmonizes Qi and Blood.
With Chai Hu and Bai Shao, for dysmenorrhea from Liver Qi Stagnation and Blood Deficiency.
With Chuan Xiong, harmonizes, nourishes and invigorates the Blood, disperses Blood Stasis and treats abdominal pain.
Per. Citri Reticulatae Viride Qing Pi 3-6g Spreads Liver Qi and breaks up Stagnant Qi.
With Chai Hu, restores the Qi circulation between the Upper and Lower Jiaos to treat long-term Qi Stagnation moving to Blood Stasis with fixed pain and occasional palpable lumps.
Sm. Persicae Tao Ren 3-6g Breaks up Blood Stasis and invigorates Blood circulation.
With Hong Hua, invigorates the Blood for all types of Blood Stagnation such as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea with abdominal pain, clotting and scanty flow, swollen painful sores and chest pain due to Blood Stasis.
Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke 3-6g Promotes the movement of Qi, reduces distention and pressure and resolves hardenings.
Rz. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong 2.1-6g Invigorates the Blood and promotes the movement of Qi.
With Dang Gui, Tao Ren and Hong Hua, for abdominal pain accompanying menstruation, pain due to trauma and headache from Blood Stagnation.
With Dang Gui, Tao Ren, Bai Shao and Hong Hua, for dysmenorrhea due to Blood Stasis.
With Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Chai Hu and Dang Gui, for sharp stabbing pains in the chest and hypochondriac area due to Blood Stagnation.
Rx. Paeoniae Alba Bai Shao 2.1-6g Nourishes Blood, softens the Liver and relieves pain.
With Chai Hu, for flank pain due to Liver Qi Stagnation.
With Dang Gui, nourishes Yin and Blood.
Flos Carthami Hong Hua 1.5-3g Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, opens the channels, unblocks menstruation and alleviates pain.
With Chuan Xiong, for chest and abdominal pain due to Qi and Blood Stasis.

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Dredges the Liver
  • Regulates the Qi
  • Dispels Stasis
  • Opens the channels and collaterals
  • Relieves pain
  • Invigorates the Blood
  • Clears Heat

SYNDROMES

  • Pain in the Liver channel due to Qi and Blood Stagnation

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Pain beneath the left side of the rib cage
  • Rib pain from trauma
  • Alternating chills and fever
  • Hypochondriac fullness and pain
  • P: Wiry

TREATS

  • Intercostal neuralgia
  • Pancreatitis
  • Traumatic injury to the ribs

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Do not use this formula for those who do not present with Liver Stagnation or pain from Blood Stasis.
  • Use caution if Internal bleeding is suspected.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

  • The symptoms may be brought on by internal damage from emotions or as the result of trauma.

MODIFICATIONS

For severe pain: For constipation or acute traumatic pain:
+ Rz. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo + Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang