Chaihu Decoction，From *The Complete Works of Jingyue*, Volume 51.，For yin deficiency with external pathogenic factors, internally complicated by fire pathogens, characterized by alternating chills and fever, dryness and thirst in the mouth; for women with heat entering the blood chamber; and for those with yin deficiency following a recent illness, presenting with tidal fever.This formula is indicated for conditions caused by exposure to abnormal seasonal pathogens—manifesting as fever, alternating chills and fever, or symptoms resulting from overwork or anger—as well as for women with heat invading the blood chamber, or postpartum or postmenstrual conditions where exposure to wind-cold leads to malaria-like symptoms of alternating chills and fever, provided there is external pathogenic factor combined with internal fire. It is also indicated for cases of yin deficiency following a recent illness that has not yet recovered, with residual pathogenic factors causing tidal fever.Abnormal seasonal influences, with signs of fire both internally and externally, causing the malaria pathogen to persist. Dryness in the liver and thirst in the stomach.
Chaihu Decoction
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Formulas Name : Chaihu Decoction
Chinese Name : 一柴胡饮
Drug Formulation
2–3 qian of Bupleurum, 1.5 qian of Scutellaria, 2 qian of Paeonia, 1.5 qian of Raw Rehmannia, 1.5 qian of Tangerine Peel, and 0.8 fen of Licorice.
Source
From *The Complete Works of Jingyue*, Volume 51.
Benefits
For yin deficiency with external pathogenic factors, internally complicated by fire pathogens, characterized by alternating chills and fever, dryness and thirst in the mouth; for women with heat entering the blood chamber; and for those with yin deficiency following a recent illness, presenting with tidal fever.This formula is indicated for conditions caused by exposure to abnormal seasonal pathogens—manifesting as fever, alternating chills and fever, or symptoms resulting from overwork or anger—as well as for women with heat invading the blood chamber, or postpartum or postmenstrual conditions where exposure to wind-cold leads to malaria-like symptoms of alternating chills and fever, provided there is external pathogenic factor combined with internal fire. It is also indicated for cases of yin deficiency following a recent illness that has not yet recovered, with residual pathogenic factors causing tidal fever.Abnormal seasonal influences, with signs of fire both internally and externally, causing the malaria pathogen to persist. Dryness in the liver and thirst in the stomach.
Instructions for Use
1.5 zhong of water; decoct until reduced to 7–8 fen; take while warm.
Copyright: Excerpt from From *The Complete Works of Jingyue*, Volume 51., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 31, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 31, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 31, 2026
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Chaihu Decoction,For yin deficiency with external pathogenic factors, internally complicated by fire pathogens, characterized by alternating chills and fever, dryness and thirst in the mouth; for women with heat entering the blood chamber; and for those with yin deficiency following a recent illness, presenting with tidal fever.This formula is indicated for conditions caused by exposure to abnormal seasonal pathogens—manifesting as fever, alternating chills and fever, or symptoms resulting from overwork or anger—as well as for women with heat invading the blood chamber, or postpartum or postmenstrual conditions where exposure to wind-cold leads to malaria-like symptoms of alternating chills and fever, provided there is external pathogenic factor combined with internal fire. It is also indicated for cases of yin deficiency following a recent illness that has not yet recovered, with residual pathogenic factors causing tidal fever.Abnormal seasonal influences, with signs of fire both internally and externally, causing the malaria pathogen to persist. Dryness in the liver and thirst in the stomach.