Plant Herbal Treasures®

Minor Bupleurum Decoction

Chinese Prescription: Xiao Chai Hu Tang

English Translation: Minor Bupleurum Decoction

Formula Type: Harmonize Lesser-Yang Stage Disorder

Actions: Harmonizes & releases lesser yang-warp disorders.

Indications: This formula promotes the spreading out of yang qi, which can cause headache, dizziness, & bleeding of the gums if taken long term. These side effects can be reduced or eliminated if the formula is prepared according to the directions in the source text. For the same reason, unless considerably modified, it is contraindicated in patients with excess above & deficiency below, Liver fire, or bleeding of the gums. Use with caution in cases of ascendant Liver yang, hypertension, or vomiting of blood due to yin deficiency. Patients with relatively weak normal qi may experience fever & chills while taking this formula because the pathogenic influence is vented from the lesser yang warp via the greater yang.

Contraindications: Contraindicated for ascendant yang or fire, & for deficiency below & excess above. For short-term use only.

Chai Hu / Bupleurum Root
Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Cool • Category: Exterior Releasing - Cool • Sub Category:
Dosage 3-12g	Actions 1. Resolves lesser yang disorders & reduces fever: for alternating chills & fever accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth, flank pain, irritability, vomiting, & a stifling sensation in the chest associated with the lesser yang stage of externally contracted disorders. 2. Spreads Liver qi & relieves constraint: for constrained Liver qi with such symptoms as dizziness, vertigo, chest & flank pain, emotional instability, or menstrual problems. Also used for disharmonies between the Liver & the Spleen with such symptoms as epigastric & flank pain, a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal bloating, nausea, & indigestion. 3. Raises the yang qi in patterns of Spleen or Stomach deficiency: for hemorrhoids, anal or uterine prolapse, & diarrhea due to collapse of the Spleen qi.	Meridians Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium, Triple Burner	Cautions Contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency cough or Liver fire ascending to the head. May occasionally cause nausea or vomiting; should this occur, use only a very small dose.

Huang Qin / Scute or Baical Skullcap Root
Huang Qin - Scutellaria Baicalensis - Yellow Huang Qin - Scutellaria Baicalensis - Green
Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Damp
Dosage 6-15g	Actions 1. Clears heat & drains fire, especially from the upper burner: for heat patterns with high fever, irritability, thirst, cough, & expectoration of thick, yellow sputum, or hot sores & swellings. In treating the latter it can be applied topically or taken internally. 2. Clears heat & dries dampness: a major herb for damp-heat in the Stomach or Intestines, which manifests as diarrhea or dyenteric disorder; damp warm-febrile disease, which presents with fever, stifling senstaion in the chest, & thirst but inability to drink; or for damp-heat in the lower burner with painful urinary dysfunction. Used as a an auxiliary herb for damp-heat jaundice.	Meridians Gallbladder, Large Intestine, Lung, Stomach	Cautions Contraindicated in cases of heat from deficiency in the Lungs, cold diarrhea o any other condition with cold in the middle burner, & restless fetus due to cold in the blood. May counteract mu dan pi & li lu.

Ban Xia / Pinellia (Prepared)
Ban Xia - Pinellia - Brown (Southern) Ban Xia Jiang - Pinellia prepared with Ginger Ban Xia - Pinellia prepared with Licorice
Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Warm & Transform Phlegm Cold
Dosage 4.5-12g	Actions 1. Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, & causes rebellious qi to descend: for cough with copious sputum, as in conditions of phlegm-cold in the Lungs. Especially effective in transforming phlegm due to dampness of the Spleen. 2. Harmonizes the Stomach & stops vomiting: for lingering phlegm-dampness in the Stomach that rebels upward, causing nausea & vomiting. 3. Dissipates nodules & reduces distention: for nodules, pressure, distention, or pain due to phlegm lingering in the chest, phlegm nodules in the neck (such as those of goiter & scrofula), or obstructions caused by phlegm anywhere in the body. Also for focal distention in the chest & epigastrium.	Meridians Lung, Spleen, Stomach	Cautions Contraindicated in all cases of bleeding, cough due to yin deficiency, or depleted fluids. Use with caution in all cases with heat. May be incompatible with wu tou. Toxic: overdosage symptoms include feeling of burning & numbness in the throat, lips, queasy stomach & nausea, & a feeling of pressure in the chest. For recovery, administer raw ginger orally.

Sheng Jiang / Ginger (market fresh) Rhizome
Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category:
Dosage 3-9g	Actions 1. Releases the exterior & disperses cold: for exterior cold patterns. 2. Warms the middle burner & alleviates vomiting: for cold in the Stomach, especially where there is vomiting. 3. Disperses cold & stops coughing: for coughing due to both acute wind-cold cough patterns & chronic Lung disorders with phlegm. 4. Reduces the toxicty of other herbs: for detoxifying or treating overdoses from other herbs such as fu zi or ban xia. 5. Adjusts the nutritive & protective qi: for patients suffering from exterior deficiency who sweat without an improvement in their condition.	Meridians Lung, Spleen, Stomach	Cautions Contraindicated in cases of Lung heat, or Stomach heat with vomiting.

Ren Shen / Panax Ginseng
Ren Shen (Hong) - Red Panax Ginseng Root Sliced Ren Shen (Bai) - White Panax Ginseng Root Sliced Xi Yang Shen - American Ginseng Root Sliced
Taste: Sweet, Slightly Bitter • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi
Dosage 1-9g, up to 30 grams (hemorrhagic shock)	Actions Ren Shen / Panax Ginseng is used in treating patterns of qi, yang & yin deficiency. 1. Strongly tonifies the basal qi: for extreme collapse of the qi or abandoned conditions that manifest in shallow respiration, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, & a minute or weak pulse. The herb is used alone for this condition after severe loss of blood. 2. Tonifies the Lungs & augments the qi: for wheezing, shortness of breath, & labored breathing with exertion caused by Lung qi deficiency. There is usually also a concurrent failure of the Kidneys to grasp the qi. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & tonifies the Stomach: for lethargy, lack of appetite, chest & abdominal distention, chronic diarrhea, & in severe cases, prolapse of the stomach, uterus, or rectum. 4. Generates fluids & stops thirst: for wasting & thirsting disorders, as well as in cases when the qi & fluids have been injured by high fever & profuse sweating. 5. Benefits the Heart qi & calms the spirit: for palpitations with anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, & restlessness due to qi & blood deficiency. Notes: Red Ginseng is more warming than White Ginseng. American Ginseng is considered cool and is better suited for those patients having a tendency towards heat signs.	Meridians Lung, Spleen	Cautions Contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, heat excess, or in the absence of significant qi deficiency. Contraindicated for hypertensive patient with ascendant Liver yang, & in cases of very high blood pressure (systolic over 180mmHg). Overdose can lead to headache, insomnia, palpitations, & a rise in blood pressure. The traditional antidote is mung bean soup. This herb may antagonize wu ling zhi & may be incompatible with li lu. Patients taking this herb are advised to abstain from drinking tea & eating tunips, as this may reduce the effect of the herb.

Zhi Gan Cao / Licorice Root, honey-baked
Zhi Gan Cao - Honey-baked Licorice Root Gan Cao - Licorice Root - Large Gan Cao - Licorice Root - Medium Gan Cao - Licorice Root - Small
Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi
Dosage 2-12g	Actions 1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations. 2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs. 3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically. 4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs. 5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels. 6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically. 7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms.	Meridians All 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach)	Cautions Contraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate.

Da Zao (Hong / Hei) / Red or Black Jujube Date
Hong Zao - Red Date Hei Zao - Black Date
Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Tonic / Harmonize • Sub Category: Tonify Qi
Dosage 3-12 pieces (10-30 grams)	Actions 1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: for weakness, shortness of breath, lassitude, reduced appetite, & loose stools due to Spleen & Stomach deficiency. 2. Nourishes the blood & calms the spirit: for wan appearance, irritability, & severe emotional lability due to restless organ disorder. 3. Moderates & harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs.	Meridians Spleen, Stomach	Cautions Since hong zao aids dampness, generates heat, & may readily induce fullness in the middle burner, it is contraindicated in cases of excess dampness, food stagnation, intestinal parasites, or damp-phlegm disorders with such symptoms as epigastric distention & bloating.

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