Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
Star柴葛解肌汤 (Bupleurum and Kudzu Decoction to Release the Muscle Layer)
Source: Shang Han Liu Shu — Tao Hua (Ming, 1445)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang (Bupleurum and Kudzu Decoction to Release the Muscle Layer), from the Shang Han Liu Shu (Six Texts on Cold-Induced Disorders) by Tao Hua.
Actions: Clears heat and releases the muscles.
Presentation: Wind-cold syndrome turning into heat: gradual decrease of aversion to cold with gradual increase of fever, headache, absence of perspiration, painful eyes and eye sockets, dry nose and throat, irritability, insomnia, a thin, yellow tongue coating, and a superficial and slightly surging pulse.
Cautions:
- Not suitable when exterior cold has not moved deeper and there is no interior heat; using it while wind-cold is still at the superficial taiyang level drives the disease deeper
- Do not use once heat has attacked the yangming organs (abdominal pain, constipation)
- Avoid acrid, spicy, oily or greasy foods while taking it
Note: the book also describes a formula of the same name from Yi Xue Xin Wu (p. 110). This record follows the Shang Han Liu Shu version.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 107, 110.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
one of two chief herbs; as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) [6g]
|
6g | 13.64% | Jun (Chief) | dispels heat in the muscle layer and relieves exterior symptoms |
|
Ge Gen
one of two chief herbs; enters yangming; as printed: Ge Gen (Radix Puerariae Lobatae) [9g]
|
9g | 20.45% | Jun (Chief) | dispels heat in the muscle layer and relieves exterior symptoms |
|
Qiang Huo
enters taiyang; as printed: Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii) [3g]
|
3g | 6.82% | Chen (Deputy) | dispels wind-cold, releases muscles, relieves headache |
|
Bai Zhi
enters yangming; as printed: Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) [3g]
|
3g | 6.82% | Chen (Deputy) | dispels wind-cold, releases muscles, relieves headache |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) [6g]
|
6g | 13.64% | Chen (Deputy) | clears interior heat |
|
Shi Gao
listed in preparation text, not in composition table; as printed: Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 3g [5g]
|
5g | 11.36% | Chen (Deputy) | clears interior heat |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) [3g]
|
3g | 6.82% | Zuo (Assistant) | ventilates the Lung to dispel exterior factors |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) [6g]
|
6g | 13.64% | Zuo (Assistant) | with Gan Cao harmonizes ying and protects yin from drying herbs |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) [3g]
|
3g | 6.82% | Shi (Envoy) | with Bai Shao harmonizes ying and protects yin |
|
Sheng Jiang
listed in preparation text, not in composition table; printed dose 3 slices (no single modern dose); as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 3 slices
|
g | — | Shi (Envoy) | with Da Zao harmonizes ying/wei and exterior/interior |
|
Da Zao
listed in preparation text, not in composition table; printed dose 2 pieces (no single modern dose); as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 2 pieces
|
g | — | Shi (Envoy) | with Sheng Jiang harmonizes ying/wei and exterior/interior |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net cool (-0.84)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 25%, cool 48%, neutral 14%, warm 14%.
Taste
- pungent 36%
- sweet 23%
- sour 7%
- bitter 34%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 59%
- Spleen 55%
- Lung 46%
- Gallbladder 27%
- Liver 27%
- Large intestine 21%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
2 herbs without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Sheng Jiang, Da Zao.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Cook the herbs with 3 slices Sheng Jiang, 2 pieces Da Zao and 3g [5g] Shi Gao in 2 large bowls of water. Source gives no herb doses; bracketed doses are suggestions.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Huang Qin Tang + Jie Geng Tang + Chai Hu, Ge Gen, Bai Zhi, Qiang Huo, Shi Gao and Sheng Jiang
- This formula = Jie Geng Tang + Huang Qin Tang + Chai Hu, Ge Gen, Bai Zhi, Qiang Huo, Shi Gao and Sheng Jiang
- This formula = Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Huang Qin Tang + Jie Geng Tang + Chai Hu, Ge Gen, Bai Zhi, Qiang Huo, Shi Gao and Sheng Jiang
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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