Bái Hǔ tāng

白虎汤

White Tiger Decoction

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

AboutChinese MedicineCaution/Notes
Health Benefits
For:
Atributes:
Products
 

Tablets

 

Pills

 

Capsules

 

Granules

Other Names:
Research 

Category: Clear Heat ⌕ 
Subcategory: Qi Level  Source: Shang Han Hun 
Actions: Clear heat and promote body fluid [31]
Diagnosis
Tongue: red, dry yellow coat      Pulse: Flooding, large[31] • surging, full, slippery, rapid[35]    Other:thirst 
Patterns: Qi-stage Heat 
Indications: Excess Heat in the Yangming channel or Qi level [35] • Excessive heat - Big 4: high fever, severe sweating, flooding pulse, severe thirst [31] • Yang Ming channel heat: high fever with aversion to heat, not to cold. Irritation, profuse sweating, red face, head aches, severe thirst, prefer cold drinks, bleeding gum, epistaxis[35]
Contraindications: 
Description
Name Variations: Bai Hu tang, 白虎汤, White Tiger Decoction,
Herb List: Shi Gao(K, 30-90g) • Zhi Mu(M, 9g-15g) • Jing Mi(A, 9-15g) • Zhi Gan Cao(E, 3-6g)
Commentary: YANG MING CHANNEL HEAT; 4 big, Qi level • ShiGao/ZhiMu–drain fire, moisten dryness, increase fluids; JingMi–protects stomach; ZhiGanCao–preserve stomach Yin • Gum bleeding, toothache, lots of acute inflammation in the Upper Jiao, and GI complaint after the fever; pure fire, more bacterial infection than virus infection • Compare it to antibiotics. Bai Hu Tang + Asprin = antibiotics used in the past. • This formula can handle high fever as high as 103 - especially with pediatric patients having a flu. This formula does NOT have constipation. If there is constipation, should use Da Chen Qi Tang.
Related Formulas: Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang (+Ren Shen) for generalized weakness • Bai Hu Jia Cang Zhu Tang (+Cang Zhu) for damp painful obstruction
NCCAOM: 2 NCCAOM formulas for clearing Qi level heat are Bái Hǔ Tāng and Zhú Yè Shí Gāo Tāng. • Bai Hu Tang is for excess heat in the Yangming or Qi level leading to high fever, severe sweating, flooding pulse and severe thirst, and bleeding gums. • Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang is for Qi Level heat injuring Qi and Fluid leading to fever, sweating, short of breath, fatigue, restlessness, thirst, nausea, red tongue with little coating, weak rapid pulse. Bai Hu Tang is for more severe symptoms and Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang seems to be more for milder symptoms or after the worst is over.
Herbs Cat/Dosage Actions Attributes
Shi Gao   Clear Heat Drain Fire
30g
Clear heat • Drain fire • Clear High fever • Stop thirst • Promote flesh healing [18] antipyretic • Immunostimulant
Bai Shao Tonify Blood
9g
Nourish blood • Regulate menses • Soothes liver • Relieve pain • Preserve yin • Reduce spasms • Harmonize Ying and Wei QiDao Di: Zhe Jiang • AKA Shao Yao analgesic • antibacterial • anti-inflammatory • hepatoprotective • immune system boost • sedative
Zhi Gan CaoLicorice Root • 甘草 Tonify Qi
3g
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
Jing Mi  
9g-15g
King/Chief    ♥ Minister/Deputy      Assistant     ♦ Envoy
Directions: Cook all ingredients until the rice is ready.  Strain the liquid.  Take 2 to 4 doses.  Sometimes only one dose is required.  If symptoms do not improve after 6-7 doses, stop using formula and get diagnosed again. 
Modifications For
+ Ling Yang Jiao + Shui Niu Jiao RQi and blood stage heat with Liver Wind 31
+ Da Huang + Mang Xiao With Yang Ming Fu organ excess 31
+ Tian Hua Fen + Lu Gen + Mai Men Dong Thirst, want water 31

Caution

ALERT: Contraindications of each herb - use with caution under these conditions:
Shi Gao: Cold and deficiency of Spleen and Stomach • Qi Deficiency • Yin Deficiency
Bai Shao: Deficiency cold • Breast feeding • Pregnancy • Bleeding Disorder • Scheduled Surgery
Gan Cao: High blood pressure • Low potassium • Seaweed • Medications: Gan Cao can interact with various medication. See Pharma Interaction section.
Jing Mi:

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. 

Go to Bibliography

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *