Category: Digestion, respiration, gynaecology, psyche, nerves, insomnia, senses, acute attack, hidden pathogen, fatigue, urology, metabolism, oncology, prevention, anti-ageing, detox, liver system, spleen system, lung system, immunity.

Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• harmonises and releases the Shao Yang section
• harmonises the liver and spleen
• relaxes the liver and clears heat
• supports "proper" Qi, especially spleen Qi
• expels pathogens, including "hidden" ones
• transforms phlegm

Description:

This is a classic formula by Zhang Zhong Jing from the beginning of the 3rd century AD, which is one of the most frequently used in Chinese medicine. Why? It influences both acute conditions from external attacks and chronic conditions concerning internal organs. It even addresses a special group of diseases caused by a so-called "hidden pathogen". The formula supports "proper Qi" and eliminates pathogenic Qi, ranging from the common cold to conditions involving impaired immunity, inflammation, or fever of unknown origin.

• harmonises and releases the Shao Yang section attacked by an external pathogen. Shao Yang represents the gallbladder and triple burner meridians. It is interesting that it is located exactly in the middle between the significant layer of defensive energy on the surface and the Yang Ming, or the layer of Qi in the depths. It is therefore said that a Shao Yang affliction is "neither internal nor external." It manifests with both surface symptoms – chills, shivering, aching all over the body – and high fever up to 40 °C caused by the struggle in that largest and richest layer. States of persistent cold and persistent heat alternate regularly. Other symptoms include pain in the hypochondrium, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, or a bitter taste in the mouth. This is how inflammation of the bile ducts, renal pelvis, lower part of the lungs, or even jaundice or malaria manifests. This also includes acute flare-ups of certain infections, for example in small children who suffer from recurrent ear infections (this can be classified under the so-called hidden pathogen, see point 3). In general, Xiao Chai Hu Tang is widely used in the treatment of children, especially for recurrent infections.
• relaxes liver Qi stagnation, which, together with a weak spleen, causes digestive problems such as fullness in the epigastrium and hypochondrium, loss of appetite, nausea, or even fatigue and blood sugar fluctuations. In terms of modern diagnoses, these can be gastritis, ulcers, or oesophageal reflux. For these problems, it is used mainly in men because it excellently influences the mechanism of Qi. It is actually a "male" variant of Xiao Yao San, which influences blood better and is administered mainly to women. In women, the formula is used primarily to regulate menstruation, where liver Qi constraint causes irregularity, the development of premenstrual tension, and painful blockages. It is especially indicated for heat in the uterus and Chong Mai with chills and fever, which arise regularly during the period around menstruation. In connection with liver blockage, it is also used for mood swings, irritability, and various nervous disorders, where insomnia, anxiety, headaches, and nerve pain, or other seemingly "inexplicable" symptoms, are added to the Shao Yang symptoms.
• A hidden pathogen is a chapter in itself. A person is attacked by some acute infection (viruses, bacteria, chlamydia, borrelia, etc.), part of it is cured, but part retreats into deeper layers. The Shao Yang is the section where the pathogen likes to "hide" – the courses of its meridians are also "very winding". It depends very much on the state of our energy and immunity. Exhaustion or stress is enough – and the pathogen manifests as a new flare-up of infection, or as chronic fatigue, aching all over the body, a feeling of elevated temperature – in short, a feeling "like something is coming on...". Western diagnostics often cannot detect a hidden pathogen and the patient is sent home as healthy. Xiao Chai Hu Tang can "pull out" the pathogen, or vent it to the surface, where it can manifest as a common cold. We can handle that without problems and the "hidden pathogen" will never return.

Recently, Xiao Chai Hu Tang has also been used in the treatment of allergies.

Indications:

• chronic inflammation anywhere in the body (mainly in the digestive system)
• recurring or repeating problems
• recurrent ear infections
• tonsillar plugs
• acute infectious diseases
• cough, especially in children, long-lasting and/or recurring
• alternating heat and cold (fever and chills)
• feeling of elevated temperature and/or fever of unknown origin
• dry throat, thirst
• "hidden pathogen"
• autoimmune problems
• liver protection and regeneration
• support of bile production
• pain, fullness and/or distension in the chest and sides (rib and hypochondrium area)
• distension (abdominal bloating) in the epigastrium
• reflux and heartburn
• nausea and vomiting
• bitter taste in the mouth
• jaundice
• abdominal pain
• difficult urination
• constipation
• irritability and restlessness
• mood swings
• feeling of despondency
• frequent yawning or difficulty taking a deep breath
• fatigue and exhaustion
• reduced intake of food and drink, lack of interest in food
• migraine and/or dizziness
• tinnitus
• palpitations

Modern use:

• hepatitis, chronic and acute
• hepatic fibrosis and liver carcinoma
• jaundice
• cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
• gallstones
• pancreatitis
• nephritis
• tonsillitis
• common cold
• influenza
• stomatitis
• bronchitis
• pneumonia
• cough
• allergic rhinitis
• asthma
• reflux oesophagitis
• gastritis
• constipation
• morning sickness in pregnant women
• postpartum fever and infection
• premenstrual syndrome
• painful menstruation
• chlamydia infections
• malaria
• chronic fatigue syndrome and immune stimulation
• depression
• migraine
• dizziness
• Meniere's syndrome
• anti-tumour effects and radioprotective effects
• elevated cholesterol and blood fats

Tongue:

• various colour and coating

Pulse:

• xian (string-like)

Contraindications:

• in those who have excess above (e.g. heat) and deficiency below (e.g. empty cold – kidney yang deficiency)
• liver fire or bleeding gums
• use with caution in cases of rising liver yang, hypertension, or vomiting blood due to yin deficiency, and generally in people with yin and/or blood deficiency

Note:

A widely used and, when indicated correctly, very safe and useful formula; it can be combined with others according to symptoms and complaints.

The formula excellently supports the organism in the fight against infection, both acute and chronic. Very useful even when we have not cured it properly or have "walked it off", and we still do not feel well, or the infection returns after the reactivation of a "hidden pathogen".

Formula composition: