MINOR BUPLEURUM
Xiao Chai Hu Tang

 

 ‘Small Bupleurum Decoction’
Source: Treatise on Febrile Diseases Caused by Cold (Shang Han Lun, 200)

Keywords
post viral syndrome, mastitis, ear disorders, shooing syndrome

Ingredients
Bupleurum chinense (Chai Hu, bupleurum)
Pinellia ternata (Ban Xia, pinellia)
Scutellaria baicalensis (Huang Qin, scute)
Panax ginseng (Ren Shen, ginseng)
Zingiber officinalis (Sheng Jiang, ginger)
Zizyphus jujuba (Da Zao, Chinese dates)
Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gan Cao, liquorice)

Major therapeutic action
Harmonises, clears Heat, benefits the Liver, tonifies energy.


 Biomedical action
Improves liver function, reduces aST and aLT, enhances immunity, aids clearance of residual pathogens (in areas other than the gut).

Indications
*  This is the base harmonising formula, that is, it eliminates pathogens lurking in the aftermath of a pathogenic invasion that was never completely cleared from the body. It can, however, be used for a wide variety of conditions not associated with a lingering pathogenic invasion.
*  With the appropriate key symptoms this formula can be used to treat disorders such as chronic or persistent viral, parasitic, or otherwise mysterious low grade infection (include Epstein Barr, Ross River Fever and glandular fever), symptoms that occur in the post acute stage of a febrile illness, acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis C infection, acute mastitis, recurrent glue ear or ear infections in small children, post acute upper respiratory tract infection, malaria, postpartum fever, acute pyelonephritis and cystitis, intercostal neuralgia, pleurisy, gallstones, cholecystitis and otitis media.

Key symptoms for use
*  alternating fever and chills (or ‘flu like’ hot and cold feelings when fatigued)
*  loss of appetite, nausea
*  fatigue and dizziness
*  bitter taste in the mouth
*  incomplete recovery following a severe flu, gastroenteritis or other infection

Combinations
*  For glue ear in children, combine with Wu Ling San or Cang Zhu/Zao Jiao Ci/Bai Zhi.
*  With deeply lodged pathogens, add Qing Hao.
*  With constipation, add Da Huang (Da Chai Hu Tang).
*  For chronic hepatitis C infection, add Wu Wei Zi & Dan Shen.
*  For acute cystitis with fever and chills: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
*  With gallstones, add Da Huang (Da Chai Hu Tang).
*  For acute hepatitis, combine with Yin Chen Hao Tang. 		Dosage
The typical dose is three grams twice daily, before meals. In severe or acute cases, or the early stages of treatment (the first two weeks), a 50-100% increase in dose may be used, then reduced as the treatment takes effect.

Cautions and contraindications
This is a very safe formula, but can cause energy to rise in some patients causing headaches or dizziness, especially when used long term. any side effects stop when the formula is stopped.
Patients with chronic fatigue or post viral patterns may experience a recurrence of the symptoms of the initial disorder as the pathogen is eliminated from the body.
Contraindicated for acute infection still on the surface without modification. Not suitable for patients on Interferon (typically patients with chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis C) as clinical reports from Japan suggest the possibility of iatrogenic bronchiolitis when used together.