Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng

小柴胡汤

Minor Bupleurum

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Category: Harmonize ⌕ 
Subcategory: Lesser Yang-Stage Disorders  Source: Shang Han Lun 
Actions: Harmonize Shaoyang, Regulate Stomach and Gallbladder [31]
Diagnosis
Tongue: white coat      Pulse: wiry    Other: 
Patterns: Shao Yang Disorder 
Indications: Shaoyang syndrome [35] • Alternate chills and fever, chest and hypochondria distention pain, depressed, dry throat, vertigo, restlessness, bitter taste and nausea, poor appetite; thin, white tongue coating, wiry pulse; Gynecology Shang Han with heat enters uterus, malaria, jaundice [31]
Contraindications: liver enzyme disorders
Description
Name Variations: Xiao Chai Hu Tang, 小柴胡汤, Minor Bupleurum,
Herb List: Chai Hu(K) • Huang Qin(M) • Ban Xia(A) • Ren Shen(A) • Sheng Jiang(A) • Da Zao(A) • Gan Cao(E) • 柴参夏芩加甘姜枣
Commentary: Shao Yang: half interior/ half exterior. Alternating chills and fever. Dry throat, bitter taste. Fullness in the chest. Can be wind cold, wind heat that has gone past the Tai Yang level. Middle stage of a head cold. Body in plateau stage of recovery. Some times they feel cold and sometimes they feel hot. Regulates the ST and GB so that the disease does not go deeper into the Yang Ming stage, at which point, Da Chai Hu Tang would be needed. • Modifications • Severe fever: Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao • Hypochondria pain: Qing Pi, Zhi Ke, Mu Xiang – Dosage : Chai Hu> Ren Shen, Gan Cao
Related Formulas:
NCCAOM: The 2 NCCAOM formulas for harmonizing Shao Yang are Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng and Dà Chái Hú Tāng • Xiao Chai Hu Tang is Shao Yang syndrome manifesting in alternate chills and fever, chest and hypochondria distention pain, poor appetite, bitter taste, nausea, and thin white coat. • Da Chai Hu Tang is Shao Yang + Yang Ming syndrome (constipation, epigastric pain, yellow coat). Commonly used for Gall Bladder heat and Qi obstruction leading to cholecystitis and pancreatitis.
Herbs Cat/Dosage Actions Attributes
Chai Hu • Thorowax • 柴胡  Release Exterior Wind Heat Harmonize interior and exterior • Reduce fevers • Reduce chills • Soothe liver Qi • Clear muscle layer heat • Tonify stomach Qi • Guide herbs to Shao Yang Jing Antibiotic • Antipyretic • Anti-inflammatory • Antibaterial • Antiviral • Analgesic • Hepatoprotective • Immunemodulatory • Chemoprotective • Anti-tumor • Cholagogic • Sedative • Immunostimulate
Huang Qin • Baical Skullcap Root • 黄芩  Clear Heat Dry Dampness Clear heat • Dry dampness • Stop bleeding • Calm fetus • Calm liver yang rising • Clear damp heat • Guide herbs to Shao Yang Jing Antibiotic • Anti-inflammatory • Antioxidative • Antipyretic • Cholagogic • Hepatoprotective • Hypoglycemic • Hypotensive • Neuroprotective • Sedative
Ban Xia • Pinellia Root • 半夏  Phlegm Cold Transforms damp-phlegm • Direct stomach Qi downward• Stop cough/ wheezing • Relieve nausea & vomiting • Dissolve nodules and swellingsFan Ban Xia - deep fried with vinegar, Ming Fan, and Sheng Jiang • Jiang Ban Xia - fried with ginger juice reprotoxic, warming, drying, antitussive, antiemetic
Ren Shen • Ginseng • 人参  Tonify Qi Tonify yuan qi • Tonify lung qi • Tonify heart qi • Calms Shen • Stop thirst • Helps impotence • Treats qi collapse • Tonify Spleen • Generate fluid • Stop thirst • Strengthen anti-pathogenic qi • Can go to all 5 zang organsUnlike Huang Qi, Ren Shen is adaptogenic and may be used by people with autoimmune disorders. adaptogen • anti-aging • anticoagulant • antiplatelet • antioxidant • adrenalcortical • immunity booster • anti-inflammatory • antidepressant • hepatoprotective • stimulant
Da Zao • Jujube • 大枣  Tonify Qi Tonify spleen • Tonify qi • Calm the spirit • Harmonize other herb's properties • Nourish blood  antibaterial • antidepressant • anti-inflammatory • anodyne • antifungal • hepatoprotective • hypotensive • sedative
Gan Cao • Licorice Root • 甘草  Tonify Qi Tonify Spleen Qi • Tonify Heart qi • Clear heat • Resolve toxicity • Stop cough • Dispel phlegm • Lubricate lungs • Stop wheezing • Reduce spasm • Relieve pain • Harmonize other herb effects • enters 12 channelsEnters all 12 channels, often serve as envoy in a formula. Hypoglycemic • Antiarrhythmic • Hypertensive • Expectorant • Antidiarrheal • Antiulcer • Hepatoprotective • Immunostimulant • Antitussive • Antiviral • Detox • Demulcent • Anti-inflammatory • Laxative • Emmenagogue • Antimicrobial • Spasmolytic • Corticosteroidal
Sheng Jiang • Ginger (Raw) • 生姜  Release Exterior Wind Cold Release exterior • Stops vomiting • Relieve Nausea • Stops cough • Reduce herb toxicity • Regulate central flow of Qi Expectorant • Cough Suppressant • Digestive • Hypotensive • Antiplatelet • Stimulant • Analgesic • Anti-inflammatory • Antipyretic • Cholagogic • Antiemetic • Antimutagenic
♠ King/Chief    ♥ Minister/Deputy     ♣ Assistant     ♦ Envoy
Directions:
Modifications For
+ Jin Yun Hua + Lian Qiao Severe fever 31
+ Qing Pi + Zhi Ke + Mu Xiang Hypochondriac pain 31

Caution

ALERT: Contraindications of each herb - use with caution under these conditions:
Chai Hu: Dries Yin and can exacerbate the Yin deficiency • Do not use as intramuscular injections • Liver fire • Hyperactive liver yang • Cytochrome P450, 2C9, 2E1, 2D6, and 3A4 • Greater than 19g may lead to liver injury
Huang Qin: Pregnancy • Children • Breast feeding • Deficiency heat in lungs • Middle burner cold • Restless fetus from cold • Edema • Blood deficiecy abdominal pain • Spleen deficiency • Kidney deficiency diarrhea • Poor appetite • Blood deficiency • High risk pregnancy • Fetal heat
Ban Xia: Yin deficiency cough • Bleeding • Dehydration • Heat • Pregnancy • Incompatible with Wu Tou and Fu Zi • Antidepressant drugs • Blood pressure medication • Terfenadine (antihistamine) • Foods: lamb, goat
Ren Shen: Blood thinner medication • Diabetes medication • Blood pressure medication • Caffeine • Yin deficiency • Stagnant fire • Hypertension • Bleeding disorders • Pain in chest • Excess heat • food: onion, garlic, radishes, tea, turnips
Da Zao: Epigastric discomfort and bloating • Food stagnation • Damp excess • Damp Phlegm • Intestinal worms
Gan Cao: High blood pressure • Low potassium • Seaweed • Medications: Gan Cao can interact with various medication. See Pharma Interaction section.
Sheng Jiang: Lung heat • Dry cough • Phlegm heat • Full heat • Yin deficiency with heat • Vomiting from stomach heat • Gallstones • Exterior deficiency with unexplained sweating • Horse meat
Notes

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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