Skip to content
Cura x Cura

Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang柴胡加龙骨牡蛎汤

Bupleurum plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction (Bupleurum & Dragon Bone Combination)

Harmonizing 和解剂

Ingredients11 herbs

柴Chai Hu柴胡12 g君 ChiefCourses the shao yang and reopens the obstructed pivot龙Long Gu龙骨4.5 g臣 DeputyHeavy and settling: anchors the startled spirit and quiets palpitations牡Mu Li牡蛎4.5 g臣 DeputySettles the spirit with Long Gu and softens what has hardened in the chest and flanks黄Huang Qin黄芩4.5 g臣 DeputyClears the heat in the shao yang that is disturbing the spirit半Ban Xia半夏6 g佐 AssistantTransforms phlegm and descends rebellious qi so the chest fullness eases桂Gui Zhi桂枝4.5 g佐 AssistantFrees the yang and moves the surface, easing the heavy immovable body茯Fu Ling茯苓4.5 g佐 AssistantPromotes urination and quiets the heart, addressing the scanty urine and unrest together大Da Huang大黄6 g (added late; omitted in the rhubarb-free version)佐 AssistantDrains the accumulated heat out through the stool, which is what quiets the delirium人Ren Shen人参4.5 g佐 AssistantRestores the qi damaged by the premature purging in the classical case生Sheng Jiang生姜4.5 g佐 AssistantHarmonizes the Stomach with Ban Xia and protects the middle from the cold herbs大Da Zao大枣4 pieces佐使 Assistant–EnvoyNourishes the middle and harmonizes a prescription that mixes minerals, purgatives and tonics

Indications

Harmonizes shao yangSettles and calms the spiritClears heat, unblocks yang, promotes urination

Shao yang obstruction with heat harassing the spirit: in the classical narrative a shao yang pattern was purged too early, after which fullness, fright, delirious speech, scanty urine and a heavy immovable body appear together — the pathogen scattered across the exterior, interior and spirit at once.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Irritability with palpitations and being easily startled
  • Insomnia and vivid dreaming under sustained stress
  • Chest and flank fullness with a heavy, hard-to-move body
  • Anxiety accompanied by constipation and scanty urine
  • Stress-related presentations with a wiry pulse
TongueRed with a yellow, often greasy coating
PulseWiry and rapid

Health Categories

Digestive HealthHeart & CirculationSleep SupportStress & Emotional Balance

Modern Applications

AnxietyInsomniaPalpitationsStress-related disordersConstipation with agitation

Common adjustments

  • No constipation, purging not wanted — omit Da Huang 大黄 — the version sold as 'Minus Rhubarb'
  • Insomnia prominent — add Suan Zao Ren 酸枣仁, Ye Jiao Teng
  • Phlegm-heat with a thick greasy coating — add Huang Lian 黄连, Zhu Ru 竹茹
  • Frail or elderly patient — omit Da Huang and increase Ren Shen 人参

Contraindications

The standard version contains Da Huang: unsuitable in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and not for chronic loose stools or a cold, weak middle burner — use the rhubarb-free version there. Not for insomnia and palpitations of pure deficiency, blood or yin, with no heat or fullness. The mineral ingredients are heavy and hard to digest, so long uninterrupted courses should be reviewed by the prescribing practitioner. Qian Dan, in the classical ingredient list, is a lead compound and must never be added.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy in its standard form — Da Huang is a purgative avoided during pregnancy, and Gui Zhi and Ban Xia add further caution. Even the rhubarb-free version should only be used in pregnancy on a practitioner's explicit decision.

References

Source Shang Han Lun 《伤寒论》 · Eastern Han

「伤寒八九日，下之，胸满烦惊，小便不利，谵语，一身尽重，不可转侧者，柴胡加龙骨牡蛎汤主之。」
— 《伤寒论》(classical source, public domain)
  1. 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）— 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.