Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang — Bupleurum Clear the Liver Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang — the “Bupleurum Clear the Liver Decoction” — is from the Qing-dynasty Yi Zong Jin Jian (Golden Mirror of Medicine). It addresses Liver-Gallbladder Fire affecting the head, ears and skin: chronic recurrent inflammation in the channels of the head that follow the Shao Yang path (ear, side of head, jaw, neck) combined with Blood-Heat presenting as inflammatory skin conditions. The formula combines Chai Hu (Liver Qi mover), the cooling Liver-Heat herbs (Sheng Di, Mu Dan Pi, Chi Shao), and surface herbs (Niu Bang Zi, Bo He, Lian Qiao) for skin and head.

I prescribe Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang is prescribed for Liver-Gallbladder Fire with Blood-Heat in the channels of the head and skin:

• Chronic recurrent ear infection or discharge
• Chronic sinusitis with side-of-head pressure
• Recurrent jaw, cervical or scalp inflammation
• Inflammatory acne on cheeks and jawline
• Irritability, bitter taste
• Symptoms flare with stress
• Tongue — red edges, thin yellow coat
• Pulse — wiry, slightly rapid

Key herbs

1. Chai Hu (Rx. Bupleuri, 6–12g) — chief; spreads Liver Qi; releases the Shao Yang
2. Sheng Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae, 9–15g) — cools Blood; nourishes Yin
3. Mu Dan Pi (Cx. Moutan, 6–9g), Chi Shao (Rx. Paeoniae Rubra, 6–9g) — cool and move Blood
4. Dang Gui (Rx. Angelicae Sinensis, 6–9g) — nourishes Blood; prevents the cold herbs from injuring Blood
5. Chuan Xiong (Rz. Chuanxiong, 6–9g) — moves Blood; relieves head pain
6. Niu Bang Zi (Fr. Arctii, 6–9g), Lian Qiao (Fr. Forsythiae, 6–9g) — clear Heat-toxin from head and skin
7. Bo He (Hb. Menthae, 3–6g) — vents Heat through the surface
8. Tian Hua Fen (Rx. Trichosanthis, 6–12g) — clears Heat; resolves nodules
9. Fang Feng (Rx. Saposhnikoviae, 6–9g) — releases Wind from the surface
10. Gan Cao (Rx. Glycyrrhizae, 3–6g) — harmonises and resolves toxin

Formula actions

1. Clears Liver-Gallbladder Fire
2. Cools and moves Blood
3. Releases Heat-toxin from head and skin channels

Conditions treated

1. Chronic recurrent otitis media or otitis externa
2. Chronic sinusitis with stress-aggravated pattern
3. Inflammatory acne on cheeks, jawline and neck
4. Chronic adenoid hypertrophy with recurrent inflammation
5. Recurrent boils/furuncles on face and neck
6. Chronic scalp folliculitis with stress trigger

Cautions

Not appropriate for cold-deficient or pure Yin-deficient patterns — the cold and dispersing herbs aggravate cold and damage Yin.

Acute severe infections require urgent medical care.

Best used in courses with rest periods rather than continuously.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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