Chaihu, Zhike, and Yujin Decoction

Category: Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea Name: Chaihu, Zhike, and Yujin Decoction

Chinese Name: 柴胡枳壳郁金饮

Formula

3 g of bee pollen, 6 g of Bupleurum, 10 g of Fructus Aurantii, 10 g of Curcuma, and 3 g of Licorice.

Main Ingredients

How To Make

Place the last four ingredients in a pot with an appropriate amount of water, decoct twice for 20 minutes each time, combine and strain the liquid, then let it cool before stirring in the bee pollen to complete the preparation.

Efficacy

Relieves liver stagnation and regulates qi; harmonizes the stomach and alleviates pain. Indicated for peptic ulcers caused by liver qi invading the stomach.

Usage

Take one dose daily, divided into two servings. One course of treatment lasts 7 days.

Commentary

Taking bee pollen (Hua-fen) as the leading herb, the formula draws on its sweet flavor and neutral property: its action follows the Spleen, Lung meridians and works to tonify qi and nourish. Bupleurum (Chai-hu) takes the deputy (minister) role, bitter, pungent-slightly cold in property, acting through the Liver, Gallbladder, Lung meridians to soothe the liver, raise yang and disperse exterior heat. Fructus Aurantii (Zhi-shi) reinforces this deputy action, working to break qi, reduce distension and transforms phlegm. Additionally, Curcuma (Yu-jin) takes an assisting (adjuvant) role, working to activate blood, move qi and relieve pain. Licorice (Gan-cao) rounds out the formula as the envoy herb, working to tonify qi, harmonize all herbs, moderate the formula and moderate the overall properties. The overall effect is to relieve liver stagnation and regulate qi, harmonize the stomach and alleviate pain, restoring balance within the liver qi and qi framework.

Chaihu, Zhike, and Yujin Decoction，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Relieves liver stagnation and regulates qi; harmonizes the stomach and alleviates pain. Indicated for peptic ulcers caused by liver qi invading the stomach.

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