Da Chaihu Tang: Classic TCM Formula

Name

Da Chaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction)

Source

Jin Gui Yao Lue

Ingredients

• Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 15 g
• Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 9 g
• Shao Yao (Radix Paeoniae) 9 g
• Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 9 g
• Zhi Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus Preparata) 9 g
• Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 6 g
• Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 15 g
• Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 5 dates

Explanation

• Chai Hu is the principal drug: bitter and acrid in flavor and slightly cold in nature, clearing away heat through the superficies of the body to relieve the exterior syndrome.
• Huang Qin works together with Chai Hu to clear away heat, mediate Shaoyang and expel pathogens from it.
• Da Huang and Zhi Shi purge accumulated pathogenic heat in Yangming.
• Shao Yao relieves spasm and pain; together with Da Huang it treats abdominal pain of excess type, and combined with Zhi Shi it resolves the incoordination between qi and blood.
• Ban Xia keeps the adverse flow of qi downward to arrest vomiting, and treats obstinate vomiting and hiccup in large doses; it is compatible with Sheng Jiang.
• Da Zao and Sheng Jiang work together to regulate ying and wei and temper the actions of all the other ingredients.

Nature and action

Mediates Shaoyang and purges accumulated heat in the interior.

Indications

Combined syndrome of Shaoyang and Yangming, marked by alternating attacks of fever and chills, fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, intractable vomiting, mental depression and mild restlessness, distending pain in the epigastrium or epigastric fullness and rigidity, constipation or diarrhea with heat, a yellow tongue coating and a wiry, forceful pulse.

Also indicated for diseases presenting the above symptoms, such as acute simple intestinal obstruction, acute pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis and biliary calculi.

Dose

Decocted in water and taken by mouth in two divided doses.