Shu Gan Tang
Star疏肝汤 (Spread the Liver Decoction)
Source: Wan Bing Hui Chun — Gong Ting-Xian (1587)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Shu Gan Tang (Spread the Liver Decoction), from the Wan Bing Hui Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian.
Actions: Regulates blood circulation and eliminates blood stasis; Opens the channels and collaterals and relieves pain.
Presentation: Liver qi stagnation with blood stasis: hypochondriac fullness and pain, and alternating spells of fever and chills.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 241.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 3g
|
3g | 11.24% | Jun (Chief) | treats shaoyang syndrome and spreads Liver qi |
|
Qing Pi
as printed: Qing Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride) 3g
|
3g | 11.24% | Chen (Deputy) | regulates qi, relieves hypochondriac pain and fullness |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 7.87% | Chen (Deputy) | moves blood |
|
Tao Ren
as printed: Tao Ren (Semen Persicae) 3g
|
3g | 11.24% | Zuo (Assistant) | moves blood, eliminates stagnation, relieves pain |
|
Hong Hua
as printed: Hong Hua (Flos Carthami) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 5.62% | Zuo (Assistant) | moves blood, eliminates stagnation, relieves pain |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 3g
|
3g | 11.24% | Zuo (Assistant) | nourishes and moves blood; with Bai Shao softens the Liver |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 7.87% | Zuo (Assistant) | softens the Liver, relaxes muscles, relieves spasms and pain |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis, chao (dry-fried)) 6g
|
6g | 22.47% | Zuo (Assistant) | clears heat and fire arising from Liver qi stagnation |
|
Zhi Ke
as printed: Zhi Qiao (Fructus Aurantii) 3g
|
3g | 11.24% | regulates qi, relieves hypochondriac pain and fullness |
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 (-0.39)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 23%, cool 30%, neutral 11%, warm 36%.
Pairs warm and cool. 36% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 53% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 34%
- sweet 11%
- sour 8%
- bitter 47%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 89%
- Spleen 53%
- Gallbladder 53%
- Heart 51%
- Large intestine 45%
- Stomach 45%
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.
Preparation
Dry-fry Huang Lian with Wu Zhu Yu juice first; grind all to powder and decoct; take warm after meals. Wu Zhu Yu acts as a guiding herb.
Relationships
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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.
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