SHU GAN TANG

Liver-Soothing & Qi-Regulating • Blood-Moving & Heat-Clearing Formula

Symptoms

Pain: Sharp or distending pain in the hypochondrium (under the ribs) or upper abdomen (Epigastrium).

Emotional: Pronounced irritability, mood swings, or frustration that triggers physical symptoms.

Digestive: Acid reflux, bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, and "stress-induced" bloating or indigestion.

Menstrual: PMS symptoms, breast distension, and painful periods with dark clots.

Signs of Heat: Feeling hot in the chest, occasional dry mouth, or red eyes.

Tongue: Red body or red sides with a thin yellow coating.

Pulse: Wiry (Xian) and slightly rapid (Shuo).

Ingredients

Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis)

Raw Herbs 6g Granules 21.4g

Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense)

Raw Herbs 4g Granules 14.3g

Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis)

Raw Herbs 4g Granules 14.3g

Qing Pi (Citrus reticulata)

Raw Herbs 3g Granules 10.7g

Tao Ren (Prunus pérsica)

Raw Herbs 3g Granules 10.7g

Zhi Ke (Citrus aurantium)

Raw Herbs 3g Granules 10.7g

Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong)

Raw Herbs 2g Granules 7.2g

Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora)

Raw Herbs 2g Granules 7.1g

Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius)

Raw Herbs 1g Granules 3.6g

Posology

Granules: 3 to 9g per day, divided into two doses.

Note: For emotional or menstrual stagnation, it is often most effective when taken warm, 30 minutes after meals.

Description

Shu Gan Tang addresses the "Liver Wood" when it becomes too stagnant and starts to "catch fire" (heat) or "bruise" the blood (stasis).

Chai Hu and Xiang Fu are the Chiefs; they work to "dredge" the Liver Qi, releasing the pressure that causes pain and irritability.

Huang Lian and Wu Zhu Yu (the Zuo Jin Wan pair) are crucial; Huang Lian clears the Liver-Heat that attacks the Stomach, while Wu Zhu Yu prevents the coldness of Huang Lian from hurting the digestion and stops vomiting/acid reflux.

Dang Gui, Bai Shao, and Chuan Xiong nourish and move the Blood; this ensures that as we "move the Qi," the Blood (the Liver's house) remains supported and free of clots.

Tao Ren and Hong Hua specifically target Blood Stasis, making this formula excellent for pain that is fixed or sharp.

Zhi Ke helps expand the chest and move the Qi downward.

Contraindications

STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED during Pregnancy (due to strong blood-moving herbs like Tao Ren and Hong Hua).

Not for use in cases of Extreme Yin Deficiency without modifications.