When you are stuck between two states
Feeling hot one moment and chilly the next, a bitter taste in the mouth on waking, a dry throat, discomfort under the ribs, a flagging appetite, an irritable mood, a vague tiredness… In TCM, these signs may be associated with a disturbance of the Shao Yang, the “half-exterior, half-interior” level described in the classics: perverse Qi has passed the surface without reaching the depths, and lodges between the two. The Shao Yang is the pivot between outside and inside; when it gets stuck, the balance of the whole wavers.
Xiao Chai Hu Tang, the “Minor Bupleurum Decoction”, appeared around the year 200, at the end of the Eastern Han, in the Shang Han Lun (《伤寒论》) by Zhang Zhongjing (张仲景). It is the formula cited most often in the book, in around eighteen passages. It heads the harmonising formulas and is the mother of a whole family: Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang takes up half of it, and Xiao Yao San continues its logic, adding herbs to nourish the Blood. Our version does not contain pinellia (Ban Xia).
Neither outside nor inside: harmonise
At this stage, tradition says, neither pushing outwards nor moving downwards is appropriate: the answer is to harmonise. The bupleurum and Baikal skullcap pair forms its framework. Light bupleurum raises and releases outwards, and frees the Liver Qi; Baikal skullcap, bitter and cold, clears Heat from the “interior” half. Ginseng, jujube and licorice support the centre, following the principle of supporting the upright Qi so that perverse Qi does not go deeper.
Harmonises the Shao Yang: Bupleurum, by far the most heavily dosed herb, and Baikal skullcap act on both sides of the pivot: one raises, the other lowers.
Looks after your energy balance: By supporting the Qi of the centre, ginseng keeps the whole stable while bupleurum and Baikal skullcap restore the balance between outside and inside.
Supports the flow of Qi: Bupleurum frees the Qi of the Liver and Gallbladder, and pungent ginger helps the Stomach Qi resume its movement.
Supports the Spleen and overall balance: Ginseng, jujube and licorice nourish the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. The Shang Han Lun itself describes the intended effect: the upper part opens up, the Fluids can descend, and the Stomach Qi is harmonised.
