Chai Hu Xian Xiong Tang柴胡陷胸汤

Bupleurum Sinking into the Chest Decoction

Dispelling Phlegm 祛痰剂Clear Heat and Transform Phlegm 清热化痰

Ingredients8 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

柴Chai Hu柴胡Bupleuri Radix3gReleases the Shao Yang and lifts the constrained qi out of the rib-sides 姜Jiang Ban Xia姜半夏Pinelliae Rhizoma praeparatum cum Zingibere Rhizoma et Alumine9gTransforms phlegm, dissipates the knot and stops the vomiting

小小川连2.5g

苦Jie Geng苦桔梗Platycodonis Radix3gOpens the Lung qi upward, so the chest is worked from both directions with Zhi Shi

黄Huang Qin黄芩Scutellariae Radix4.5gClears Gallbladder heat, the standard partner of Chai Hu

瓜Gua Lou Ren瓜蒌仁杵Trichosanthis Semen15gLoosens the sticky phlegm knot below the sternum and guides it downward

小小枳实4.5g

生Sheng Jiang Zhi生姜汁分冲Zingiberis Rhizoma recens (juice)Stops retching and curbs the harshness of the bitter cold herbs

Indications

Harmonizes the Shao YangClears heat and transforms phlegmOpens the chest and dissipates the knot

A Shao Yang pattern complicated by phlegm-heat knotted in the chest. Neither half is optional: the alternating fever and rib-side fullness mark the Shao Yang, and the tenderness below the sternum marks the phlegm-heat knot.

Clinical Manifestations

Alternating chills and fever with rib-side fullness
Fullness below the sternum, tender to pressure
Bitter taste, nausea, poor appetite in a febrile illness
Right rib-side discomfort with thick yellow sputum
Chest and epigastric oppression with a yellow greasy coating

TongueYellow greasy coating

PulseWiry and slippery, often rapid

Health Categories

Digestive HealthRespiratory HealthLiver Health & DetoxUrinary & Bladder HealthCold & Flu Relief

Modern Applications

Cholecystitis Biliary dyskinesia Gastritis Febrile illness Pleurisy

Common adjustments

Jaundice or marked right rib-side pain — Yin Chen 茵陈 and Yu Jin 郁金 are added
Constipation with an interior that has turned hot and dry — Da Huang 大黄 is added briefly
Vomiting severe — the ginger juice is increased and Zhu Ru 竹茹 added
Fever high with marked thirst — Shi Gao 石膏 and Tian Hua Fen 天花粉 are added

Contraindications

Not for a plain exterior pattern with no Shao Yang signs, and not for cold-phlegm fullness with a pale wet tongue. The formula is cooling and qi-moving, so it is unsuitable for a depleted patient with loose stools and no heat. Not combined with // preparations. A fever that persists, or jaundice, or severe upper abdominal pain, needs medical assessment rather than treatment by pattern alone.

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

Pregnancy

Use in pregnancy only on a practitioner's decision. Zhi Shi breaks qi downward, Gua Lou moves the bowel, Huang Lian and Huang Qin are bitter and cold, and Ban Xia is used in pregnancy only with a clear reason and in processed form. A fever or upper abdominal pain in pregnancy needs medical assessment first.

Related Formulas

Xiao Xian Xiong Tang小陷胸汤

References

Source Chong Ding Tong Su Shang Han Lun 《重订通俗伤寒论》 · Qing

Classical source — 《通俗伤寒论》, Qing dynasty, 俞根初; the received text is the 《重订通俗伤寒论》 revision.
2. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— listed as an appended formula (附方) to 小陷胸汤.
3. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
4. Chinese Pharmacopoeia monograph on 半夏 — toxicity of the raw drug and the 3–9 g range for processed forms.

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.