Chai Ling Tang
Star柴苓汤 (Bupleurum and Poria Decoction)
Source: Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu — Shen Jin-Ao (1773)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Chai Ling Tang (Bupleurum and Poria Decoction), from the Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu (Master Shen's Book for Revering Life) by Shen Jin-Ao.
Actions: Harmonizes the exterior and interior to relieve shaoyang syndrome; Dispels water stagnation and phlegm accumulation.
Presentation: Shaoyang syndrome with water accumulation: alternating chills and fever, thirst, bitter taste, anorexia, edema, chest and hypochondriac fullness and oppression, vomiting and diarrhea with water intake, white tongue coating.
Composition: Herbs listed without doses; formula combines Xiao Chai Hu Tang and Wu Ling San.
Herb–drug interactions:
- CYP inhibition: competitive inhibitor of CYP3A4 (Ki 0.1 mg/mL), CYP2C9 (Ki 0.7-0.8 mg/mL) and CYP1A2 (>68% inhibition), not CYP2D6; caution with concurrent drugs
- Ofloxacin: no significant effect on bioavailability in 7 volunteers
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Diuretic: 10x normal dose in rats markedly increased water and sodium excretion over 24 h; one month of use reduced weight without adverse reactions; mediated by nitric oxide
- Endocrine: 0.01-1.0 g/kg in rats raised plasma ACTH and lowered corticotropin-releasing factor
- Nephroprotective: suppressed proteinuria in passive Heymann nephritis in rats, lowering serum albumin, total protein and cholesterol
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 222.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri)
|
g | — | Xiao Chai Hu Tang component: harmonizes shaoyang | |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae)
|
g | — | Xiao Chai Hu Tang component | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae)
|
g | — | Xiao Chai Hu Tang component | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng)
|
g | — | Xiao Chai Hu Tang component | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae)
|
g | — | Xiao Chai Hu Tang component | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae)
|
g | — | Wu Ling San component: resolves dampness | |
|
Zhu Ling
as printed: Zhu Ling (Polyporus)
|
g | — | Wu Ling San component | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria)
|
g | — | Wu Ling San component | |
|
Ze Xie
as printed: Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis)
|
g | — | Wu Ling San component | |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi)
|
g | — | Wu Ling San component: promotes the flow of yang qi |
Preparation
Combination of Xiao Chai Hu Tang and Wu Ling San; refer to those formulas.
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 Ling Tang.
No notes yet.