Chai Hu Zhi Jie Tang
Star柴胡枳桔汤 (Bupleurum, Bitter Orange, and Platycodon Decoction)
Source: Chong Ding Tong Su Shang Han Lun — Yu Gen-Chu (Qing, 1695)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Chai Hu Zhi Jie Tang (Bupleurum, Bitter Orange, and Platycodon Decoction), from the Chong Ding Tong Su Shang Han Lun (Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Yu Gen-Chu — a variation of Xiao Chai Hu Tang.
Actions: Harmonizes shaoyang, releases the exterior, and regulates the chest and diaphragm (as described).
Presentation: Shaoyang syndrome weighted slightly toward the exterior: alternating fever and chills, headache especially at the two corners of the forehead, deafness, vertigo, hypochondriac fullness and pain, white slippery tongue coating, wiry slippery right pulse and wiry, superficial, big left pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 215.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
dose printed as 3-4.5g; as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 3-4.5g
|
g | — | — | |
|
Zhi Ke
as printed: Zhi Qiao (Fructus Citri Aurantii) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 20% | — | |
|
Ban Xia
zhu (boiled) with ginger; as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 20% | — | |
|
Sheng Jiang
fresh; as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 3g
|
3g | 13.33% | — | |
|
Huang Qin
dose printed as 3-4.5g; as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 3-4.5g
|
g | — | — | |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 3g
|
3g | 13.33% | — | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 20% | — | |
|
Lu Cha
as printed: Cha Ye (Folium Camelliae) 3g
|
3g | 13.33% | Enhances heat-clearing and damp-dispelling |
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 (+0.20)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 33%, neutral 13%, warm 53%.
Pairs warm and cool. 53% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 33% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 57%
- sweet 7%
- sour 7%
- bitter 30%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Spleen 73%
- Stomach 67%
- Large intestine 20%
- Heart 13%
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: Chai Hu, Huang Qin.
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.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Ju Pi Tang + Xiao Ban Xia Tang + Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Jie Geng, Lu Cha and Zhi Ke
- This formula = Xiao Ban Xia Tang + Ju Pi Tang + Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Jie Geng, Lu Cha 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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