Shu Gan Li Pi Tang
Star疏肝理脾汤 (Dredge the Liver and Regulate the Spleen Decoction)
Source: New Explanations of Medical Formulas (1980)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Shu Gan Li Pi Tang (Dredge the Liver and Regulate the Spleen Decoction), from New Explanations of Medical Formulas (1980).
Associated formula of Xiao Yao San.
Actions: Dredges the Liver qi; Regulates the Spleen; Nourishes and invigorates the blood
Indications: Intense hypochondriac pain, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, stifling sensation in the epigastrium, reduced appetite, and loose stools
Pattern: Severe Liver qi constraint with clumping and Spleen deficiency leading to blood deficiency and stasis
Usage: Commonly used for chronic hepatitis and early cirrhosis.
Category: Formulas that Regulate and Harmonize the Liver and Spleen.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 125.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Bupleuri Radix (chai hu) 12g
|
12g | 14.29% | — | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma (bai zhu) 12g
|
12g | 14.29% | — | |
|
Xiang Fu
as printed: Cyperi Rhizoma (xiang fu) 9g
|
9g | 10.71% | — | |
|
Dang Shen
as printed: Codonopsis Radix (dang shen) 15g
|
15g | 17.86% | — | |
|
Ze Xie
as printed: Alismatis Rhizoma (ze xie) 9g
|
9g | 10.71% | — | |
|
He Shou Wu
as printed: Polygoni multiflori Radix (he shou wu) 12g
|
12g | 14.29% | — | |
|
Dan Shen
as printed: Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix (dan shen) 12g
|
12g | 14.29% | — | |
|
San Qi
powdered; as printed: Notoginseng Radix (san qi) [powdered] 3g
|
3g | 3.57% | — |
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 (-0.18)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 11%, cool 29%, neutral 29%, warm 32%.
Pairs warm and cool. 32% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 39% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 11%
- sweet 43%
- bitter 41%
- bland 5%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 57%
- Spleen 43%
- Pericardium 29%
- Kidney 25%
- Lung 18%
- Stomach 18%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
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 = Ze Xie Tang + Chai Hu, Dan Shen, Dang Shen, He Shou Wu, San Qi and Xiang Fu
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.
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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