Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Chinese: 柴胡桂枝汤
Pinyin: Chái Hú Guì Zhī Tāng
Other names: Bupleurum & Cinnamon Twig Decoction, Bupleurum and Cinnamon Combination
Ingredients: 9 herbs
Category: Formulas that harmonize lesser Yang-warp disorders
Mother formula: Xiao Chai Hu Tang
- Harmonizes the Lessor Yang and Greater Yang Stage
- Releases the Exterior and muscle layer
- Harmonizes the Liver, Spleen and Intestines
- Dispels Water Accumulation
Contraindications: This formula is used used when the external pathogenic factors are between the... This formula is used used when the external pathogenic factors are between the Interior and Exterior. For external pathogenic diseases that are either at the surface or have already entered the interior, this formula is generally not recommended. If it must be used, appropriate modifications should be made. When treating malaria with this formula, it is advisable to add antimalarial medications for concurrent use. see more
Source: Discussion of Cold Damage (220 AD)
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) and Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that harmonize lesser Yang-warp disorders. Its main actions are: 1) harmonizes the Lessor Yang and Greater Yang Stage and 2) releases the Exterior and muscle layer.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Lesser Yang stage. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, influenza or pancreatitis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the nine ingredients in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang helps treat.
The nine ingredients in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Chai Hu is a king ingredient in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu)
Chai Hu disperses and releases the pathogenic factors from the Lesser Yang Stage (according to the 6 Stage Theory of Zhang Zhong Jing) to Exterior. It also remove the Qi Stagnation.
Gui Zhi is a king ingredient in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi)
Gui Zhi , together with Bai Shao (white peony root), releases the Exterior without damaging Yin (the cooling elements) and consolidate Yin to harmonize the Nutritive Level. Additionally, the pairing of Bai Shao and Gan Cao allows the sour and sweet flavors to generate Yin, thereby assisting in nourishing Yin. Gui Zhi combined with Gan Cao uses the pungent and sweet flavors to generate Yang (warming energy), thereby assisting in nourishing Yang. The combination of Bai Shao and Da Zao (jujube) benefits Yin and consolidates the Nutritive Level for harmonious Ying. Gui Zhi paired with Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger) allows for pungent dispersion to release the muscles and regulate the Defensive (wei) level.
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
Huang Qin is a deputy ingredient in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLungSmall intestineSpleen
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Huang Qin assists Chai Hu in clearing the pathogenic Heat from the Shao Yang (Lesser Yang). Chai Hu ascends and disperses, and with Huang Qin descending and purging, it prevents the adverse effect of raising Yang and depleting Yin.
Ban Xia is an assistant ingredient in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Part used: Dried rhizome and tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Ban Xia warms and transforms Phlegm and turbidity in the Middle Burner. When combined with another assistant herb in this formula, Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang), it harmonizes the Middle Burner, directs Rebellious Qi downward, and stops nausea and vomiting.
Sheng Jiang is an assistant ingredient in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."
In the context of Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the Middle Burner, directs Rebellious Qi downward, and stops nausea and vomiting.
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Ren Shen works together with Liquorice (Gan Cao) and Jujube dates (Da Zao) to support the normal Qi and thereby prevent the pathogenic influence from penetrating to the Interior.
Gan Cao is an assistant ingredient in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao , together with Da Zao, supports the normal Qi and thereby prevent the pathogenic influence from penetrating to the Interior. Gao Cao and Da Zao also moderates the acrid, dry properties of Ban Xia and Sheng Jiang.
Da Zao is an assistant ingredient in Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Jujube Dates (Da Zao)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Da Zao supports the normal Qi and thereby prevent the pathogenic influence from penetrating to the Interior. The combination of Sheng Jiang and Da Zao mildly regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi, and assists Chai Hu in releasing the half-Exterior aspects of this condition. Da Zhao helps Bai Shao nourish and harmonize the Nutritive Qi and the Blood.
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang is used to treat Lesser Yang stage
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang is mostly used to treat the pattern "Lesser Yang stage" which we describe below.
But before we delve into Lesser Yang stage here is an overview of the Western conditions it is commonly associated with:
Common cold Influenza Pancreatitis Acute gastritis Chronic gastritis Chronic hepatitis Edema Gallstones Epilepsy Intercostal neuralgia Gastric ulcers Duodenal ulcers Malaria Neuralgia Pediatric anorexia Fever of unknown origin Postpartum fever
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang treats common cold" for instance. Rather, Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang is used to treat Lesser Yang stage, which is sometimes the root cause behind common cold.
Now let's look at Lesser Yang stage, a pattern that TCM practitioners commonly treat with Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang.
'Yang' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Yang in Chinese Medicine
Lesser Yang stage
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi)
Symptoms: Dry throat No appetite Irritability Blurred vision Nausea or vomiting Hypochondrium fullness Hypochondrial distention Bitter taste in the mouth Alternating fever and chills
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Lesser Yang stage. This pattern leads to symptoms such as alternating fever and chills, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat and blurred vision. Patients with Lesser Yang stage typically exhibit wiry (Xian) or fine (Xi) pulses.
This is the pattern of the Lesser Yang stage, the third stage of the Six Stages theory.
At this stage the External Pathogen has penetrated to the level of the Gallbladder Channel.
Its main characteristic is that it's a stage that oscillates between the Bright Yang and Greater Yang stages and... read more about Lesser Yang stage
Formulas similar to Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Xiao Chai Hu Tang is 78% similar to Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Da Chai Hu Tang is 67% similar to Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang is 58% similar to Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang is 56% similar to Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang is 56% similar to Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang is 56% similar to Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang