Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Star柴胡桂枝汤 (Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang (Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Dispels pathogenic factors from taiyang and shaoyang stages; Harmonizes the exterior and interior.
Presentation: Combined taiyang and shaoyang syndromes six to seven days after onset: fever, chills, joint pain, nausea, distention and obstruction beneath the heart, abdominal pain.
Cautions:
- Avoid cold, raw, oily and greasy foods during use
Toxicology: Relatively low toxicity; four weeks of continuous dosing in rats showed no abnormalities of liver, spleen, kidney or adrenal glands.
Herb–drug interactions:
- Benzodiazepines: synergistic antiepileptic effect; formula acts as a partial GABA-A agonist activating chloride current
- Pentobarbital: shortened sleeping time in mice via upregulation of CYP2B, CYP3A1 and CYP4A1
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Antiulcer: prevented cysteamine-induced gastric ulcers in rats by lowering acid output
- Immunostimulant: long-term use increased lymphocytes in mice
- Anti-inflammatory: marked effect in acute and chronic inflammation in rats
- Analgesic: effective for trigeminal neuralgia in rats via local action on ligated nerves
- Pancreas: inhibited pancreatic fibrosis by suppressing TGF-beta1; delayed chronic pancreatitis and suppressed pancreatitis-associated protein expression in rats
- Hepatoprotective: suppressed N-nitrosomorpholine liver lesions via reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 219.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 12g
|
12g | 32% | Xiao Chai Hu Tang component: harmonizes shaoyang | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 12% | Xiao Chai Hu Tang component | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 12% | Xiao Chai Hu Tang component | |
|
Ban Xia
xi (washed); dose printed as 6-9g; as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 0.25 cup [6-9g]
|
g | — | Xiao Chai Hu Tang component | |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 12% | Gui Zhi Tang component: releases the exterior for taiyang | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 12% | Gui Zhi Tang component | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 3g
|
3g | 8% | Shared component of both base formulas | |
|
Sheng Jiang
qie (sliced); as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 12% | Shared component of both base formulas | |
|
Da Zao
bo (opened); printed dose 6 pieces (no single modern dose); as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 6 pieces
|
g | — | Shared component of both base formulas |
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 slightly cool (-0.32)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 12%, cool 44%, neutral 8%, warm 36%.
Pairs warm and cool. 36% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 56% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 34%
- sweet 20%
- sour 6%
- bitter 40%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 56%
- Spleen 56%
- Heart 44%
- Gallbladder 44%
- Liver 44%
- Stomach 32%
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: Ban Xia, 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
Source: cook in 7 cups [1,400 mL] water down to 3 cups [600 mL]; take 1 cup [200 mL] strained three times daily.
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
Formula family
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.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang.
No notes yet.