Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang: Herbal Relief for Balancing Energy and Calming the Mind
Health Lab- Jan 30
- 3 min read
Updated: May 3
Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang is a classic Chinese herbal formula from the Treatise on Febrile Diseases. Known for balancing the body’s energy (Shaoyang), clearing heat, and calming the mind, it treats a range of conditions, from anxiety to heart issues. This guide explains its ingredients, effects, and modern uses in simple terms.
What’s in Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang?
This formula, based on a version with skullcap, combines herbs for a powerful effect:
Bupleurum Root: Clears heat and balances Shaoyang energy.
Skullcap: Cools the body and reduces irritability.
Ginseng: Boosts energy and strengthens the body.
Pinellia: Eases nausea and clears phlegm.
Ginger: Warms the stomach and reduces vomiting.
Jujube: Nourishes and supports digestion.
Cinnamon Twig: Promotes energy flow and reduces dampness.
Poria: Drains dampness and calms the mind.
Rhubarb: Clears heat and promotes bowel movements.
Dragon Bone: Soothes nerves and stabilizes emotions.
Oyster Shell: Calms the mind and anchors energy.
Lead Dan: Traditionally used to calm, but omitted in modern formulas due to toxicity.
What Does It Do?
This formula balances Shaoyang (a key energy pathway), clears excess heat, and calms the mind. It’s perfect for conditions with symptoms like:
Alternating chills and fever
Chest tightness or bitterness
Irritability or anxiety
Nausea or poor appetite
Restlessness, fear, or trouble urinating
Confusion or delirium
How It Works
Bupleurum and Skullcap: Balance Shaoyang and clear heat, easing irritability.
Ginseng and Jujube: Strengthen the body and boost vitality.
Pinellia and Ginger: Settle the stomach and stop nausea.
Cinnamon Twig and Poria: Improve energy flow and remove dampness.
Rhubarb: Clears internal heat through bowel movements.
Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell: Calm nerves and promote mental peace.
Customizing the Formula
The formula can be adjusted for specific needs:
Stagnant Energy or Blood: Add peach kernel, safflower, red peony, or tangerine peel.
Excess Liver Heat: Remove ginseng, cinnamon, ginger, and jujube; add gentian, plantain seed, or rehmannia.
Severe Mental Symptoms: Remove cinnamon and rhubarb; add coptis, donkey hide gelatin, or lily.
Modern Uses
Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang shines in treating:
Mental Health: Schizophrenia, anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, and neurosis by calming the mind.
Heart Conditions: Cardiac hypertrophy, valve issues, hypertension, and atherosclerosis by improving heart function and reducing stress.
Nervous System: Palpitations and epilepsy by stabilizing nerves.
Other Conditions: Diabetes, high cholesterol, hyperthyroidism, chronic hepatitis, Parkinson’s, asthma, eczema, cataracts, and shoulder pain.
It’s also used for concussion recovery, sleepwalking, obesity, and gallbladder or kidney issues, making it highly versatile.
Important Notes
Lead Dan: Omitted in modern recipes due to toxicity, but the formula remains effective with dragon bone and oyster shell for calming.
Consult a Professional: Always use under a practitioner’s guidance to ensure safety and proper customization.
Conclusion
Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang is a powerful Chinese herbal remedy for balancing energy, clearing heat, and calming the mind. From mental health to heart and nervous system issues, its blend of herbs like bupleurum, skullcap, and dragon bone offers wide-ranging benefits. Modernized to exclude toxic lead, it remains a trusted choice for many conditions when used with expert advice.
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