Chai Hu Gui Zhi Gan Jiang Tang柴胡桂枝干姜汤

Bupleurum, Cinnamon Twig and Dried Ginger Decoction

Harmonizing 和解剂Harmonize Shaoyang 和解少阳

Ingredients7 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

柴Chai Hu柴胡Bupleuri Radix24 g君 ChiefFrees the shaoyang pivot and vents the constrained pathogen 黄Huang Qin黄芩Scutellariae Radix9 g臣 DeputyClears the constrained heat of shaoyang 桂Gui Zhi桂枝Cinnamomi Ramulus9 g臣 DeputyWarms and unblocks yang qi so congealed fluids can move 干Gan Jiang干姜Zingiberis Rhizoma6 g臣 DeputyWarms the middle burner and disperses cold-fluid accumulation 天Tian Hua Fen天花粉Trichosanthis Radix12 g佐 AssistantGenerates fluids for the thirst left by sweating and purging 牡Mu Li牡蛎Ostreae Concha6 g佐 AssistantSoftens and disperses the slight clumping below the ribs 炙Zhi Gan Cao炙甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata6 g使 EnvoySupports the middle and harmonizes the warming and cooling halves

Indications

Harmonizes shaoyangWarms the middle and transforms congealed thin fluidsGenerates fluids and softens clumping below the ribs

A shaoyang pattern complicated by middle-burner cold and internally bound thin fluids. The pivot is still blocked, but sweating and purging have injured yang, so the pattern combines constrained heat above with cold and undispersed fluids below.

Clinical Manifestations

Alternating chills and fever that persists after wrong treatment
Fullness with slight clumping below the ribs
Thirst without vomiting
Sweating only on the head, with irritability
Scanty urination with loose stool and cold in the abdomen

TonguePale or normal body with a thin white, sometimes moist coat

PulseWiry and slow, or wiry and thin

Health Categories

Women's HealthDigestive HealthLiver Health & DetoxUrinary & Bladder HealthEnergy & FatigueStress & Emotional Balance

Modern Applications

Chronic hepatitis Irritable bowel syndrome Menopausal sweating Chronic fatigue Cholecystitis

Common adjustments

Middle-burner cold and loose stool pronounced — increase Gan Jiang 干姜 and add Bai Zhu 白术
Thirst and dryness marked — increase Tian Hua Fen 天花粉
Clumping below the ribs firm and painful — increase Mu Li 牡蛎 and add Yu Jin 郁金

Contraindications

Not for shaoyang patterns with vigorous heat, thirst and constipation — the warming pair would add to the heat. Not for vomiting patterns, since the anti-nausea Ban Xia of the parent formula has been removed.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Use with caution in pregnancy — Gui Zhi is warming and moves the blood, and Mu Li is a mineral. Prescribe only under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.

References

Source Shang Han Lun 《伤寒论》 · Eastern Han

「伤寒五六日，已发汗而复下之，胸胁满微结，小便不利，渴而不呕，但头汗出，往来寒热，心烦者，此为未解也，柴胡桂枝干姜汤主之。」
— 《伤寒论》(classical source, public domain)

Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— appended-formula note and pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.