Fu Fang Da Chai Hu Tang复方大柴胡汤

Augmented Major Bupleurum Decoction

Harmonizing 和解剂Harmonize Shaoyang 和解少阳

Ingredients10 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

柴Chai Hu柴胡Bupleuri Radix君 ChiefFrees the shaoyang pivot and courses constrained Liver-Gallbladder qi 黄Huang Qin黄芩Scutellariae Radix君 ChiefClears Gallbladder heat, paired with Chai Hu as in the parent formula 大Da Huang大黄Rhei Radix et Rhizoma臣 DeputyDrains yangming heat binding downward and unblocks the bowel 枳Zhi Ke枳壳Aurantii Fructus臣 DeputyBreaks up qi stagnation and relieves distension, assisting Da Huang 白Bai Shao白芍Paeoniae Radix Alba臣 DeputySoftens the Liver and relaxes spasmodic abdominal pain 川Chuan Lian Zi川楝子Toosendan Fructus佐 AssistantCourses Liver qi and clears heat while stopping pain 延Yan Hu Suo延胡索Corydalis Rhizoma佐 AssistantMoves qi and blood — the principal analgesic addition 木Mu Xiang木香Aucklandiae Radix佐 AssistantMoves qi in the intestines and eases distending pain 蒲Pu Gong Ying蒲公英Taraxaci Herba佐 AssistantClears heat and resolves toxicity in an inflamed abdomen 甘Gan Cao甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma使 EnvoyModerates the harsh herbs and, with Bai Shao, relieves cramping

Indications

Harmonizes shaoyang and drains yangming heatMoves qi and relieves abdominal painClears heat-toxin and unblocks the bowels

Shaoyang and yangming heat combined with qi stagnation and binding in the abdomen, the presentation of an acute inflammatory abdomen in which pain, fever and constipation appear together.

Clinical Manifestations

Acute epigastric or right rib-side pain with fever
Biliary colic with a bitter mouth and nausea
Abdominal distension with constipation in an acute illness
Jaundice appearing in an acute obstructive picture

TongueRed with a yellow, often greasy coat

PulseWiry and rapid, or slippery and rapid

Health Categories

Digestive HealthLiver Health & DetoxUrinary & Bladder Health

Modern Applications

Acute cholecystitis Biliary colic Gallstones Acute pancreatitis Acute abdomen

Common adjustments

Jaundice prominent — add Yin Chen 茵陈 and Zhi Zi 栀子
Heat-toxin marked with high fever — increase Pu Gong Ying 蒲公英 and add Huang Lian 黄连
Constipation stubborn — increase Da Huang 大黄, added near the end of the decoction

Contraindications

This is a formula for an acute, hot, excess presentation and is not for weak, cold or deficient abdominal pain. An acute abdomen requires urgent medical assessment — surgical causes must be excluded before or alongside any herbal treatment.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy — it contains Da Huang and several strongly qi-breaking and downward-draining herbs.

References

Source Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Zhi Liao Ji Fu Zheng 《中西医结合治疗急腹症》 (modern clinical text)

Modern clinical source as recorded in the standard formula-studies chapter (appended-formula note).
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — comparison with the parent formula.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— composition 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.