Xiao Chai Hu Tang He Yin Qiao San

This formula is a combination of Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), Yin Qiao San (Lonicera & Forsythia Powder), and Si Wu Tang (Four Materials Decoction) with additions and subtractions to resolve toxins and disinhibit the throat. Our version is a 10:1 extract in a glycerine base

RX:

Ban Lan Gen (Radix Isatidis/Baphicacanthi) 
Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) 
Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae) 
Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae) 
Sheng Di (uncooked Radix Rehmanniae) 
Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 
Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 
Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 
Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsitis) 
Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 
Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 
Sheng Jiang (uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis) 
Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii) 
Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Albae) 
Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 
Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 
Jie Geng (Radix Platycodi)

FUNCTIONS:

Clears heat and dispels wind, resolves toxins, scatters binding or nodulation, and disinhibits the throat, fortifies the spleen, transforms phlegm, and clears heat from the lungs, liver, and stomach

INDICATIONS:

Pediatric sore throat due to wind heat external contraction with or without heat toxins and an underlying defensive qi vacuity due to spleen vacuity

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF WIND HEAT EXTERNAL CONTRACTION INCLUDE:

• Sore throat

• Possible fever

• Possible cough

• Possible nasal congestion

• superficial or floating, red vein at the wind bar or gate on the ventral surface of the index finger

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT TOXINS AND PHLEGM BINDING INCLUDE:

• Worse sore throat

• Swollen glands

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SPLEEN QI/DEFENSIVE QI VACUITY INCLUDE:

• Age less than six or seven years

• Easy and/or recurrent catching of cold

• A blue vein between the eyebrows at the so-called root of the nose

• A tendency to loose stools

• A craving for sweets

• A history of antibiotics, especially recurrent courses of antibiotics

FORMULA EXPLANATION:

This formula is meant for the treatment of recurrent sore throats in children, including those diagnosed as “strep throat.” Because of inherent spleen qi vacuity, children’s defensive qi tends to be vacuous and insecure. The more vacuous the spleen, the more likely it is a child may suffer from recurrent catching cold and sore throats. Overeating sweets and overuse of antibiotics worsen this tendency. Therefore, within this formula, Chai Hu, Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, and Niu Bang Zi all clear heat and dispel wind, while Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Xuan Shen, Sheng Di, and Ban Lan Gen clear heat and resolve toxins. Among these heat-clearing medicinals, Xuan Shen, Niu Bang Zi, and Ban Lan Gen have the empirical function of disinhibiting the throat. Huang Qin clears any internal heat in the lungs, liver, and stomach which may exacerbate any heat in the exterior. Chai Hu also drains the liver based on the fact that, in children, “the liver commonly has a surplus.” Dang Shen, Ban Xia, Da Zao, Gan Cao, and Sheng Jiang fortify the spleen at the same time as the transform phlegm and eliminate dampness that congeals into phlegm. Jie Geng also transforms phlegm and, along with Chuan Xiong, guides all the other medicinals in the formula to the upper body, including the region the chest and neck. Because the blood is the mother of the qi, the addition of Dang Gui and Bai Shao help in the engenderment of the qi at the same time as relaxing the liver and harmonizing the defensive and constructive.

DOSING: 2 droppers full
 

MY PATIENT DOES HAVE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF:

Heat toxins and phlegm binding (not absolutely necessary): Q Yes Q No Spleen vacuity: Q Yes Q No Sore throat and/or a diagnosis of strep throat Q Yes Q No