Chai Hu Da Yuan Yin
Star柴胡达原饮 (Bupleurum Decoction to Reach the Membrane Source)
Source: Chong Ding Tong Su Shang Han Lun — Yu Gen-Chu (Qing)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Chai Hu Da Yuan Yin (Bupleurum Decoction to Reach the Membrane Source), from the Chong Ding Tong Su Shang Han Lun (Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Yu Gen-Chu.
Actions: Dispels dampness and dissolves phlegm; Reaches and vents the mo yuan (membrane source).
Presentation: Damp and phlegm obstruction at the mo yuan: chest and diaphragm distention and fullness, irritability, heartburn, dizziness, pasty sensation in the mouth, cough with sputum hard to expectorate, intermittent fever and chills, thick greasy tongue coating, wiry slippery pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 230.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 12.71% | Addresses the exterior-interior nature of the condition; with Huang Qin treats shaoyang | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 12.71% | Clears damp-heat | |
|
Zhi Ke
as printed: Zhi Qiao (Fructus Aurantii) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 12.71% | With Jie Geng regulates upper-jiao qi | |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 3g
|
3g | 8.47% | With Zhi Qiao regulates upper-jiao qi | |
|
Hou Po
as printed: Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 12.71% | With Cao Guo regulates middle-jiao qi | |
|
Cao Guo
as printed: Cao Guo (Fructus Tsaoko) 1.8g
|
1.8g | 5.08% | With Hou Po regulates middle-jiao qi | |
|
Qing Pi
as printed: Qing Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 12.71% | With Bing Lang regulates lower-jiao qi | |
|
Bing Lang
as printed: Bing Lang (Semen Arecae) 6g
|
6g | 16.95% | With Qing Pi regulates lower-jiao qi | |
|
He Ye
leaf and stalk; cun is a length unit of about an inch; dose printed as 9-15g; as printed: He Ye Geng (Folium et Caulis Nelumbinis) 5 cun [9-15g]
|
g | — | Regulates qi and relieves chest distention and fullness | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 5.93% | Harmonizes the formula |
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 neutral (-0.03)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 13%, cool 25%, neutral 14%, warm 48%.
Pairs warm and cool. 48% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 38% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 41%
- sweet 6%
- sour 4%
- bitter 49%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 79%
- Large intestine 55%
- Lung 53%
- Spleen 49%
- Gallbladder 38%
- Liver 25%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: He Ye.
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
Decoction. He Ye Geng 5 cun (about 5 inches); today 9-15g.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Jie Geng Tang + Bing Lang, Cao Guo, Chai Hu, He Ye, Hou Po, Huang Qin, Qing Pi and Zhi Ke
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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