Chai Hu Shu Gan San柴胡疏肝散

Bupleurum Powder to Course the Liver (Bupleurum & Cyperus Combination)

Regulating Qi 理气剂调和肝脾

Ingredients7 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

柴Chai Hu柴胡Bupleuri Radix6gCourses the Liver and releases the constraint at its root 陈Chen Pi陈皮醋炒Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium6gRegulates qi in the middle burner; vinegar-frying directs it to the Liver 川Chuan Xiong川芎Chuanxiong Rhizoma4.5gMoves the qi within the blood so the stagnation is relieved at both levels 香Xiang Fu香附Cyperi Rhizoma4.5gMoves Liver qi and regulates the menses, reinforcing the chief 枳Zhi Ke枳壳麸炒Aurantii Fructus4.5gLoosens the chest and epigastrium, gentler than Zhi Shi

芍Bai Shao芍药Paeoniae Radix Alba4.5gNourishes blood and softens the Liver, restraining the dispersing herbs

甘Zhi Gan Cao甘草炙Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata1.5gHarmonizes the formula and, with Bai Shao, eases spasmodic pain

Indications

Courses the Liver and resolves constraintMoves qi and invigorates the bloodRelieves pain

Liver qi constraintwith the stagnation beginning to reach the blood: unresolved emotion blocks the Liver's coursing, qi no longer moves smoothly through the flanks, and pain follows. The pain tracks the mood — that is the diagnostic point.

Clinical Manifestations

Distending pain of the flanks and ribs
Chest oppression with frequent sighing
Epigastric fullness, belching and poor appetite from the Liver overacting on the Stomach
Premenstrual breast distension and irritability
Pain that shifts and worsens with emotional strain

TongueThin white coating

PulseWiry

Health Categories

Women's HealthDigestive HealthLiver Health & DetoxUrinary & Bladder HealthStress & Emotional Balance

Modern Applications

Functional dyspepsia Irritable bowel syndrome Intercostal neuralgia Chronic cholecystitis Premenstrual syndrome Stress-related gastritis

Common adjustments

Severe flank pain — add Yu Jin 郁金 and Yan Hu Suo 延胡索
Constraint has turned to heat (bitter taste, red tongue edges) — add Zhi Zi 栀子 and Mu Dan Pi 牡丹皮
Belching with acid reflux — add Huang Lian 黄连 with a little Wu Zhu Yu 吴茱萸
Blood deficiency with irregular menses — combine with Si Wu Tang 四物汤

Contraindications

The acrid aromatic qi-movers consume qi and yin, so this is not the formula for flank pain arising from Liver-yin or blood deficiency, and it is not taken continuously without modification. If the pain becomes fixed, stabbing and steadily worse, the pattern has moved to blood stasis and needs a different strategy.

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

Pregnancy

Use in pregnancy only under practitioner supervision — Chuan Xiong, Xiang Fu and Zhi Ke all move qi and blood, and this is not a formula for a pregnant patient to select for herself.

Related Formulas

Si Ni San四逆散

References

Source 《证治准绳》引《医学统旨》方 · Ming dynasty

「治胁肋疼痛，寒热往来。」
— 《景岳全书》(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）— 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.