Dà Chái Hú Tāng

大柴胡汤

Major Bupleurum Decoction

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

AboutChinese MedicineCaution/Notes
Health Benefits
For: Cholecystitis • Pancreatitis • Gastroenteritis • Gastritis • Hypertension • Diabetes • Alternating fever and chills • Vomiting • Nausea • Constipation
Atributes:
Products
 

Tablets

 

Pills

 

Capsules

 

Granules

Other Names:
Research

Category: Harmonize ⌕ 
Subcategory: Lesser Yang-Stage Disorders  Source: Shang Han Lun 
Actions: Harmonize Shaoyang, purge interior heat [31] Harmonizes lesser yang • Drains clumping from heat
Diagnosis
Tongue: yellow coat      Pulse: wiry, rapid    Other: 
Patterns: Shao Yang Disorder + Yang Ming Disorder 
Indications: Concurrent Shaoyang with Yangming syndromes [35] • Shaoyang + Yangming: Alternate chills and fever, fullness in chest and hypochondria, vomiting, slight restlessness, distention or pain in epigastria, constipation or diarrhea, yellow tongue coating, wiry rapid forceful pulse. Commonly used for GB heat, GB Qi stagnation, and GB obstruction. Cholecystitis, pancreatitis [31]
Contraindications: 
Description
Name Variations: Da Chai Hu Tang, 大柴胡汤, Major Bupleurum Decoction,
Herb List: Chai Hu(K) • Huang Qin(K) • Da Huang(M) • Zhi Shi(M) • Ban Xia(A) • Bai Shao(A) • Sheng Jiang(A) • Da Zao(E)
Commentary: This is for shao yang and yang ming syndrome where the pathogenic invasion that was in Shao Yang starts to show GI symptoms (stomach ache, constipation, diarrhea, but not fever). Shao Yang/Yang Ming 和病(having both) Heat starts to move from shao yang to yang ming)
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 QinBaical 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
Da Huang • Rhubarb • 大黄  Downward Draining Strongly purges heat accumulations (yangming organ heat, treats “shi” aka hardness) • Drain damp heat • Invigorate and cool blood • Promote menstruation • Promote urination • Stop bleeding • Clear heat, reduce toxicity (used topically for fire toxin sores, hot skin lesions, carbuncles, boils and burns) Anti-inflammatory • Antibiotic • Antipyretic • Choleretic • Cholagogic • Hemostatic • Immunity booster • Laxative • Nephroprotective
Zhi ShiImmature Bitter Orange • 枳实  Regulate Qi Breaks up Qi stagnation, move Qi downward, clear accumulation, resolve phlegm obstruction, unblock bowelsFor moving Qi: from epigastric all the way to the abdominal area - Zhi Shi and Zhi Ke hypertensive, acidic, enhances circulation, diuretic, increase intestinal peristalsis, uterine stimulant
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
Ban XiaPinellia Root • 半夏  Phlegm Cold Transforms damp-phlegm • Direct stomach Qi downward• Stop cough/ wheezing • Relieve nausea & vomiting • Dissolve nodules and swellings reprotoxic, warming, drying, antitussive, antiemetic
Bai ShaoWhite Root Peony • 白芍  Tonify Blood Tonify Liver blood - regulate menses • Tonify Liver Yin • Relief pain and spasms • Harmonize Ying and Wei QiDao Di: Zhe Jiang • AKA Shao Yao analgesic • antibacterial • anti-inflammatory • hepatoprotective • immune system boost • sedative
Da ZaoJujube • 大枣  Tonify Qi Tonify Spleen Qi • Calm the spirit • Harmonize other herb's properties • Nourish blood  antibaterial • antidepressant • anti-inflammatory • anodyne • antifungal • hepatoprotective • hypotensive • sedative
King/Chief    ♥ Minister/Deputy      Assistant     ♦ Envoy
Directions:
Modifications For
+ Ban Lan Gen + Jin Yin Hua + Lian Qiao Severe Gallbladder heat 31
+ Yin Chen Hao + Zhi Zi Severe Gallbladder damp heat 31
+ Mu Xiang + Hou Po or Jin Ling Zi San Qi stagnation 31
+ Jin Qian Cao + Ji Nei Jin (+ Bai Shao + Yang Hu Suo + Yu Jin if severe pain) Gallbladder stones/obstruction 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
Da Huang: Qi deficiency • Blood deficiency • Stomach deficiency cold • Spleen deficiency cold • Normal or loose stool • Normal blood flow • Postpartum • Caution with pregnancy, lactation, menstruation [21]
Zhi Shi: pregnancy, Spleen and Stomach deficiencies, gastric or duodenal peptic ulcers[18]
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
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
Bai Shao: Deficiency cold • Breast feeding • Pregnancy • Bleeding Disorder • Scheduled Surgery
Da Zao: Epigastric discomfort and bloating • Food stagnation • Damp excess • Damp Phlegm • Intestinal worms

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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