Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
柴胡清肝湯 · Chái Hú Qīng Gān Tāng
A liver-clearing formula for liver fire with sores, irritability, and rib-side pain.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Liver Fire
- Primary Function
- Clear liver heat, resolve toxin, soothe the liver
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear liver fire and resolve toxin
- Classical Source
- Yi Zong Jin Jian (Wu Qian, Qing dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A liver-clearing formula for liver fire with sores, irritability, and rib-side pain.
Therapeutic Principle
Selected for liver fire with sores or rib-side heat rather than qi stagnation or damp-heat.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
連翹Lian Qiao6g
Forsythia Fruit- resolves toxin
生地黃Sheng Di Huang6g
Raw Rehmannia Root- cools blood and nourishes yin
當歸Dang Gui3g
Chinese Angelica Root- nourishes blood
川芎Chuan Xiong3g
Chuanxiong Rhizome- moves blood
桔梗Jie Geng3g
Platycodon Root- diffuses and guides upward
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Bupleuri Radix (Chai Hu)
- Scutellariae Radix (Huang Qin)
- Gardeniae Fructus (Zhi Zi)
- Forsythiae Fructus (Lian Qiao)
- Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di Huang)
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui)
- Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong)
- Platycodi Radix (Jie Geng)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix (Gan Cao). A liver-clearing formula from Yi Zong Jin Jian.
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears liver fire and resolves toxin.
Indications
- Liver fire rising.
- Irritability, rib-side pain, facial sores, red eyes, bitter taste, red tongue, wiry rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Liver fire rises.
- Heat disturbs the head, skin, or rib-side.
Treatment strategy
- Clear liver fire, resolve toxin, soothe the liver.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang and Xiao Yao San address the liver. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang drains liver-gallbladder damp-heat. Xiao Yao San soothes qi stagnation. This formula clears liver fire and resolves toxin.
Clinical Differentiation
- Used for liver fire with sores or rib-side pain.
- Distinct from liver qi stagnation formulas that move qi without clearing fire.
Tongue & pulseKey points: irritability, bitter taste, red tongue.
Safety notes: Cold formula; not appropriate for spleen yang deficiency or cold patterns.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang? Are Long Dan Xie Gan Tang and Chai Hu Shu Gan San the same?
Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang (柴胡清肝汤) is a classic formula from the Wai Ke Zheng Zong, centered on nourishing blood, clearing fire, soothing the Liver and dispersing nodules for blood deficiency with fire stirring and Liver qi constraint causing initial-stage temple carbuncle before pus formation. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang clears the Liver, drains fire and drains dampness, leaning to Liver-Gallbladder excess fire and damp-heat. Chai Hu Shu Gan San soothes the Liver, regulates qi and moves blood, leaning to Liver constraint with qi stagnation. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang. Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold and after pus has formed.
What is the composition and traditional use of Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang?
Classic composition: Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Sheng Di Huang, Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Shan Zhi, Tian Hua Fen, Fang Feng, Niu Bang Zi, Lian Qiao, Gan Cao Jie each 3 g. It acts to nourish blood, clear fire, soothe the Liver and disperse nodules. It is used for blood deficiency with fire stirring and Liver qi constraint causing initial-stage temple carbuncle before pus formation. Chai Hu soothes the Liver; Huang Qin and Shan Zhi clear fire; Dang Gui, Bai Shao and Sheng Di nourish blood; Lian Qiao and Niu Bang Zi disperse nodules; Fang Feng dispels wind; Tian Hua Fen generates fluids; Chuan Xiong moves blood; Gan Cao harmonizes the center.
How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Long Dan Xie Gan Tang replace it?
Sheng Di is raw; Gan Cao uses the nodes. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang leans to draining excess fire and dampness; it cannot replace nourishing blood and clearing fire by equal weight. Commercial products follow regulated compounding; do not self-modify.
Related Products
Han's Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang (Bupleurum & Clearing the Liver Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.