DA CHAI HU TANG

Shao Yang & Yang Ming Harmonizing • Heat-Draining & Stagnation-Clearing Formula

Symptoms

Alternating chills and fever with a predominance of heat.

Severe fullness and pain in the chest and hypochondrium.

Continuous vomiting or intense nausea (often with bitter fluid).

Constipation or burning diarrhea (due to internal heat accumulation).

Abdominal distension and pain that worsens with pressure.

Irritability and a feeling of oppression.

Tongue: Red body with a thick, dry, yellow coating.

Pulse: Wiry (Xian) and forceful (Shi).

Ingredients

Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense)
Raw Herbs 24g Granules 22.2g

Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis)
Raw Herbs 9g Granules 8.4g

Zhi Shi (Citrus aurantium)
Raw Herbs 9g Granules 8.3g

Da Huang (Rheum palmatum)
Raw Herbs 6g Granules 5.6g

Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora)
Raw Herbs 9g Granules 8.3g

Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata)
Raw Herbs 24g Granules 22.2g

Sheng Jiang (Zingiber officinale)
Raw Herbs 15g Granules 13.9g

Da Zao (Ziziphus jujuba)
Raw Herbs 12g Granules 11.1g

Posology

Granules: 3 to 9g per day, usually divided into two doses, after main meals.

Raw Herbs: Boil in 1000ml of water and drink 1 to 2 cups per day (ajustar conforme a resposta intestinal).

Description

Da Chai Hu Tang is a powerful strategy that acts as a bridge between the Shao Yang and Yang Ming stages. Unlike the Xiao Chai Hu Tang, it removes the tonifying herbs (Ren Shen and Gan Cao) to focus entirely on clearing excess and moving stagnation.

Chai Hu and Huang Qin focus on harmonizing the pivot and clearing gallbladder heat.

Da Huang and Zhi Shi are the "purgative team"; they break up abdominal accumulation, move the bowels, and drain heat downwards through the intestines.

Bai Shao is added to soothe the Liver, alleviate pain, and prevent the moving herbs from being too harsh on the body's Yin.

Ban Xia and Sheng Jiang address the "rebellious Qi" (vomiting and nausea).

Contraindications

Strictly contraindicated in cases of Spleen/Stomach Deficiency or patterns of Cold.

 Do not use in patients with weak digestion or chronic diarrhea.

Contraindicated during pregnancy due to the strong purgative action of Da Huang and the moving nature of Zhi Shi.

Use with caution in the elderly or very weakened patients.