Xiao Chai Hu Tang

Xiao Chai Hu Tang | Blue Poppy Herbs

Harmonizes the constructive and defensive, the liver and spleen, liver and stomach, stomach and spleen, and stomach and intestines; also transforms phlegm and eliminates dampness

This is the classical formula for the shao yang aspect of level of externally contracted wind evils such as a common cold after several days with alternating fever and chills, dry throat, a bitter or sour taste in the mouth, irritability, fatigue, chest and ductal oppression and fullness, nausea and vomiting, and/or poor appetite. However, it may also be used for any chronic disease associated with a liverspleen disharmony with heat in the lungs, livergallbladder, stomach, and/or intestines. Some diseases which commonly manifest this multipattern presentation include malaria, renal colic, cholecystitis, acute rheumatic fever, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, epidemic mumps, lymphadenitis, acute viral hepatitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, influenza, bronchitis, and postpartum fever.

Within this formula, Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) resolves the exterior and courses wind and/or courses the liver and rectifies the qi. Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) clears heat and eliminates dampness. It clears heat from the lungs, livergallbladder, stomach, and intestines. Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsis), Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae), and mixfried Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) fortify the spleen and supplement the qi. Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) and Sheng Jiang (uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis) transform phlegm and eliminate dampness, harmonize the stomach and downbear counterflow. Sheng Jiang also resolves the exterior and courses wind, while Sheng Jiang and Gan Cao harmonize and regulate all the other medicinals in the formula.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF LIVER DEPRESSION QI STAGNATION INCLUDE:

• Irritability
• Sighing
• A bowstring pulse
• Chest oppression
• Ribside pain

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF SPLEEN QI VACUITY INCLUDE:

• Fatigue
• Lack of strength
• A swollen tongue with teethmarks on its edges
• Possible cracks in the center of the tongue
• A forceless, possibly fine pulse

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF DAMP HEAT IN THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES INCLUDE:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea with foulsmelling stools
• Thick, slimy yellow tongue fur
• A rapid, slippery pulse

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF STOMACH HEAT INCLUDE:

• A large appetite and rapid hungering
• Dry, bound, constipated stools
• Bad breath

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF LUNG HEAT INCLUDE:

• Yellow phlegm which may or may not be profuse

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF LIVERGALLBLADDER DAMP HEAT INCLUDE:

• Juandice