Prescriptions for Mediating Shaoyang Channel
Xiao Chai Hu Tang (小柴胡汤): Classic TCM Formula
Name
Minor Decoction of Bupleurum
The Prescription of 小柴胡汤
Source
The book Shang Han Lun
Ingredients
Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 12 g,Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 9 g,Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) 6 g,Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 9 g,Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) 5 g,Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 9 g,Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 4 dates.Explanation
Chai Hu: The principal drug, 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 小柴胡汤
Effect
Mediating Shaoyang channel
Indications
Syndrome due to the attack of exogenous pathogens on Shaoyang channel and the struggle between pathogens and vital Qi, marked by bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, dizziness, alternate attacks of chills and fever, fullness and discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium, languor, loss of appetite, restlessness with strong desire for vomiting, thin whitish tongue coating, and taut pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as chronic cholecystitis, chronic hepatitis, chronic pelvic inflammation, exudative pleurisy and fever due to cold in the menstrual period.
Administrations
Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken twice.
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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