【Source】

Collected Works on Warm Diseases, Volume 3.

 【Composition】

Bupleurum, Scutellaria, Pinellia, Licorice, Aurantium, Platycodon, Trichosanthes seed
(7)

 【Classification】

<Regulate Qi>: Aurantium

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Qi>: Licorice

<Release Exterior with Acrid-Cooling>: Bupleurum

<Clear Heat and Dry Dampness>: Scutellaria

<Transform Phlegm>: Pinellia, Platycodon, Trichosanthes seed

【Rationale of the Formula】

Bupleurum disperses and regulates the exterior, Scutellaria clears the ministerial fire. These are the chief herbs for harmonizing the Shao Yang, specifically treating alternating chills and fever, thus serving as the ruler. When exterior pathogenic factors initially invade the Shao Yang and San Jiao, they inevitably lead to upward rebellious Qi in the chest and hypochondrium, causing fullness and blockage, and possibly pain, vomiting, or retching. Therefore, ministering herbs that promote Qi circulation, such as Aurantium, Platycodon, Tangerine, and Pinellia, are necessary to open the blockage in the upper and middle Jiao.

 【Functions】

Harmonize the exterior and interior.

 【Indications】

Cold damage with mild accumulation of phlegm and heat in the chest. String-taut and rapid pulse, bitter taste in the mouth, hardness and pain below the heart, fullness and hardness in the chest, or fullness and hardness in the hypochondrium with fever, or afternoon fever, or alternating chills and fever, or deafness and dizziness, or vexation with vomiting, or thirst due to phlegm-heat.

 【Mnemonic】

柴胡湯/’>Xiao Chai Hu Tang – Ginseng, Ginger, Jujube + Formula Name (Chai Hu Zhi Ju) Trichosanthes, Pinellia.