Chái Gé Jiě Jì Tāng

(Bupleurum and Kudzu Decoction to Release the Muscle Layer)

Sub-Category:

• Formulas that Release Early-Stage Exterior Disorders

Pattern:

• Wind-Cold (Tai Yang) transforming into Interior Heat (Yang Ming)

Actions:

• Releases pathogens from the muscle layer
• Clears internal heat.
• Relieves pain.

Indications:

• Increasing fever with decreasing chills and aversion to cold
• Eye Pain, dry nasal passages, insomnia, irritability, and a bitter taste in the mouth
• Muscle aches and pains.
• Aching and stiffness in the extremities.

Possible Tongue Appearance:

• Red tongue with a thin yellow tongue coat

Possible Pulse Patterns:

• Floating, rapid, and slightly forceful pulse
• Slippery and rapid

Western Uses:

• Common Cold
• Toothache
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Influenza

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

• Do not use in cases of external Wind Heat, exterior Wind Cold in the Tai Yang stage, or Yang Ming organ heat with constipation

Originally Appeared In:

• Six Texts of Cold Induced Disorders (Shang Han Liu Shu)

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

• Pericardium, Gall Bladder, Liver, Stomach, Spleen, Kidneys, Lungs, Large Intestine, Heart

Substances in this Formula (11 Total):

	Chai Hu (Thorowax Root , Bupleurum) Qty: 3-9 grams Chan: GB, LIV, PER, TB Prop: Bitter, Spicy, Cool Latin: Radix Bupleuri Cat: Cool, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Ge Gen (Pueraria, Kudzu Root) Qty: 6-12 grams Chan: SP, ST Prop: Sweet, Spicy, Cool Latin: Radix Puerariae Cat: Cool, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Qiang Huo (Notopterygium Root) Qty: 3-6 grams Chan: BL, KI Prop: Spicy, Bitter, Aromatic, Warm Latin: Radix Et Rhizoma Notopterygii Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Bai Zhi (Angelica Root) Qty: 3-6 grams Chan: LU, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: Radix Angelicae Dahuricae Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Huang Qin (Baical Skullcap Root) Qty: 6-9 grams Chan: GB, LI, LU, ST Prop: Bitter, Cold Latin: Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis Cat: Herbs that Clear Heat and Dry Dampness
	Shi Gao (Gypsum) Qty: 4.5-15 grams Chan: LU, ST Prop: Sweet, Spicy, Very Cold Latin: Gypsum Fibrosum Cat: Herbs that Drain Fire
	Jie Geng (Root of the Balloon Flower) Qty: 3-6 grams Chan: LU (ST) Prop: Bitter, Spicy, Neutral Latin: Platycodi Radix Cat: Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
	Bai Shao (White Peony Root) Qty: 6-9 grams Chan: LIV, SP Prop: Bitter, Sour, Cool Latin: Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Blood
	Gan Cao (Licorice Root) Qty: 3-6 grams Chan: All 12 (Primarily the LU, HT, SP, ST) Prop: Sweet, Neutral Latin: Radix Glycyrrhizae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) Qty: 3-6 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Da Zao (Date, Jujube) Qty: 2-3 pieces Chan: SP, ST Prop: Sweet, Warm Latin: Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi

References

Formulas

• 15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition)
  - Qiao Yi

Herbs

• 13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article)
  - Fugh-Berman A.
• 17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition)
  - John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen
• 26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition)
  - Max Wichtl

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist.
Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.