Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng (小柴胡汤, Minor Bupleurum Decoction) is a Chinese herbal formula from the Harmonise category, with Chái Hú as chief herb. It contains Chái Hú, Huáng Qín, Rén Shēn, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Bàn Xià, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Actions: harmonises Shao Yang; releases half-interior half-exterior pattern; regulates Liver-Spleen.
| Pinyin | Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng (Xiao Chai Hu Tang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 小柴胡汤 |
| English | Minor Bupleurum Decoction |
| Category | Harmonise |
| Chief | Chái Hú |
| Tongue | Thin white or yellow coat |
| Pulse | Wiry |
Ingredients
| Herb | Dose |
|---|---|
| Chái Hú | 24g |
| Huáng Qín | 9g |
| Rén Shēn | 9g |
| Zhì Gān Cǎo | 9g |
| Bàn Xià | 9g |
| Shēng Jiāng | 9g |
| Dà Zǎo | 12pc |
Actions
Harmonises Shao Yang; releases half-interior half-exterior pattern; regulates Liver-Spleen
Indications
Shao Yang syndrome: alternating chills and fever, fullness in chest and hypochondrium, nausea, bitter taste
Formulas with similar ingredients
- Bàn Xià Xiè Xīn Tāng shares Huáng Qín, Rén Shēn, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Bàn Xià and Dà Zǎo. Only Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng has Chái Hú and Shēng Jiāng; only Bàn Xià Xiè Xīn Tāng has Huáng Lián and Gān Jiāng.
- Xuán Fù Dài Zhě Tāng shares Rén Shēn, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Bàn Xià, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Only Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng has Chái Hú and Huáng Qín; only Xuán Fù Dài Zhě Tāng has Xuán Fù Huā and Dài Zhě Shí.
- Dà Chái Hú Tāng shares Chái Hú, Huáng Qín, Bàn Xià, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Only Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng has Rén Shēn and Zhì Gān Cǎo; only Dà Chái Hú Tāng has Bái Sháo, Zhǐ Shí and Dà Huáng.
- Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng shares Chái Hú, Rén Shēn, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Only Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng has Huáng Qín and Bàn Xià; only Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng has Huáng Qí, Bái Zhú, Dāng Guī, Chén Pí and Shēng Má.
Test yourself
What herbs are in Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng?
Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng contains Chái Hú 24g, Huáng Qín 9g, Rén Shēn 9g, Zhì Gān Cǎo 9g, Bàn Xià 9g, Shēng Jiāng 9g and Dà Zǎo 12pc.
What is Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng used for?
Shao Yang syndrome: alternating chills and fever, fullness in chest and hypochondrium, nausea, bitter taste.
What are the actions of Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng?
Harmonises Shao Yang; releases half-interior half-exterior pattern; regulates Liver-Spleen.
What tongue and pulse go with Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng?
Tongue: Thin white or yellow coat. Pulse: Wiry.
Use Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng in a case
Shen Study cases ask you to name the pattern, then choose the formula and points, and explain why.
Practise a TCM caseShen Study is a study tool. Doses are as taught in standard formula texts; they are not prescribing advice.