CHAI GE JIE JI TANG

Exterior-Releasing • Muscle-Layer–Resolving • Heat-Clearing Formula

Symptoms

Fever and chills (with more pronounced fever)
Headache, especially frontal or temporal
Neck and upper back stiffness
Muscle aches
Dry eyes
Irritability
Mild thirst
Possible sore throat

Tongue: thin white or slightly yellow coating
Pulse: floating, slightly rapid

Ingredients

Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix)
Raw Herbs: 9g * Granulates: 8.8g

Ge Gen (Puerariae Radix)
Raw Herbs: 12g * Granulates: 11.8g

Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix)
Raw Herbs: 9g * Granulates: 8.8g

Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) - Raw Herb: 6g*
Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma) - Granulates: 5.9g

Bai Zhi (Angelicae dahuricae Radix)
Raw Herbs: 6g * Granulates: 5.9g

Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix alba)
Raw Herbs: 9g * Granulates: 8.8g

Jie Geng (Platycodi Radix)
Raw Herbs: 6g * Granulates: 5.9g

Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix)
Raw Herbs: 6g * Granulates: 5.9g

Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma recens)
Raw Herbs: 3g * Granulates: 2.9g

Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus)
Raw Herbs: 36g * Granulates: 35.3g

Posology

Granules
3 to 9g per day after main meals, diluted in hot water.

Raw Herbs
Boil in 1000–1200ml of water and drink 1 to 3 cups per day.

Description

Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang is a classical formula designed to release pathogens lodged in the muscle layer (Tai Yang and Yang Ming stages) while clearing emerging internal Heat. It is particularly indicated when an exterior Wind-Heat invasion has begun to penetrate deeper, creating pronounced fever, muscle stiffness, and headache.

Chai Hu acts as a key herb to harmonize and release pathogens from the Shao Yang layer while facilitating the outward resolution of Heat.

Ge Gen releases the muscle layer and relaxes stiffness, especially in the neck and upper back. It also helps generate fluids, addressing mild thirst.

Huang Qin clears Heat from the interior and prevents the pathogen from progressing deeper into the body.

Qiang Huo and Bai Zhi release the exterior and alleviate headache and body aches, guiding the formula to the upper body and muscle layer.

Bai Shao nourishes fluids and moderates tension, preventing excessive dispersion and protecting Yin.

Jie Geng opens and disseminates Lung Qi, guiding the formula upward and assisting in clearing Heat from the upper burner.

Gan Cao harmonizes the formula and moderates the intensity of dispersing herbs.

Sheng Jiang and Da Zao support the middle burner and ensure that the releasing action does not damage digestion.

Together, these herbs create a balanced strategy that releases the exterior, relaxes the muscles, and clears developing Heat. Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang is appropriate when the pathogen is transitioning inward but has not yet reached a full Yang Ming excess stage.

Contraindications

• Not indicated for pure interior Heat without exterior symptoms.
• Use with caution in cases of Yin deficiency or absence of muscle-layer tension.
• Not appropriate for cold-type exterior patterns without Heat signs.
• Best used in early-stage febrile disorders with combined exterior and mild interior Heat features.