Traditional Chinese Medicine Healing Herbs(TCMHH)

Diaphoretic Prescriptions Composed of Drugs Pungent in Flavor and Warm in Nature

Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang (柴胡桂枝汤)

柴胡桂枝汤 Chaihu Guizhi Tang
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

The Prescription of 柴胡桂枝汤

Source

The book Shang Han Lun

Ingredients

Gui Zhi 45 g,Huang Qin 45 g,Ren Shen 45 g,Zhi Gan Cao 30 g,Ban Xia 25 g,Shao Yao 45 g,Da Zao 6 dates,Sheng Jiang 45 g,Chai Hu 120 g.

Explanation

Gui Zhi: Being pungent and sweet in flavor and warm in nature, expelling pathogenic factors from the muscles and skin by means of diaphoresis, warming the channels to dispel pathogenic cold.

Bai Shao: Replenishing Yin and astringing Ying, uniting Gui Zhi to take a role in regulating Ying and Wei.

Chai Hu: Being bitter and pungent in flavor and slightly cold in nature, tending to distribute so as to disperse pathogenic factors from the superficies of the body.

Huang Qin: Being bitter in taste and cold in nature, being adept in removing pathogenic heat in Shaoyang channel.

Ban Xia: Regulating the function of the stomach to promote the descending of the stomach-Qi, resolving masses, relieving fullness.

Ren Shen, Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang and Da Zao: Invigorating the stomach-Qi, promoting the production of body fluid, coordinating Ying and Wei.

The Effect of 柴胡桂枝汤

Effect

Expel pathogenic factors from muscles and skin by means of diaphoresis, regulate Ying and Wei.

Indications

Cold, epilepsy, epidemic hemorrhagic fever.

Administrations

Decoct in water for oral dose to be taken twice.

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Sources and further reading

We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.

  • Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
  • Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
  • Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
  • NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.

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