气平。味苦。无毒。主心腹肠胃中结气。饮食积聚。寒热邪气。推陈致新。久服轻
身。明目益精。
柴胡气平。禀天中正之气。味苦无毒。得地炎上之火味。胆者中正之官。相火之腑。所
以独
入足少阳胆经。气味轻升。阴中之阳。乃少阳也。其主心腹肠胃中结气者。心腹肠胃。五脏
六腑也。脏府共十二经。凡十一脏皆取决于胆。柴胡轻清。升达胆气。胆气条达。则十一脏
从之宣化。故心腹肠胃中。凡有结气。皆能散之也。其主饮食积聚者。盖饮食入胃散精于肝
。肝之疏散。又借少阳胆为生发之主也。柴胡升达胆气。则肝能散精。而饮食积聚自下矣。
少阳经行半表半里。少阳受邪。邪并于阴则寒。邪并于阳则热。柴胡和解少阳。故主寒热之
邪气也。春气一至。万物俱新。柴胡得天地春升之性。入少阳以生气血。故主推陈致新也。
久服清气上行。则阳气日强。所以身轻。五脏六腑之精华上奉。所以明目。清气上行。则
阴气下降。所以益精。精者阴气之英华也。
制 方
柴胡同人参、半夏、黄芩、甘草、大枣、生姜。名小柴胡汤。治少阳寒热。同白芍、甘
草、
枳实。名四逆散。治胸胁痛。四肢厥冷。同人参、升麻、黄 、甘草、归身、白术、广皮、
生姜、大枣。名补中益气汤。治劳伤倦怠。同人参、黄 、白术、甘草、升麻、白茯、泽泻、
葛根、神曲。治暑伤元气。同升麻、葛根等。能升阳散火。同白芍、丹皮、山栀、甘草、
白茯、白术、广皮、归身。名逍遥散。治肝胆郁火。
Nature: Neutral. Flavor: Bitter. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Indications: Primarily treats qi stagnation in the heart, abdomen, and intestines/stomach; accumulation of food and fluids; pathogenic cold and heat. It pushes out the old and brings forth the new. Long-term use makes the body light and agile, improves vision, and benefits essence (Jing).
Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) has a neutral nature, inheriting the central and upright Qi of Heaven and Earth. Its bitter flavor and non-toxicity derive from the fiery upward nature of Earth's Fire. The Gallbladder is referred to as the "Official of Uprightness" and is the Fu-organ of Ministerial Fire. Therefore, Chai Hu specifically enters the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Its medicinal properties are light and ascending, representing Yang within Yin, which corresponds to Shaoyang. Regarding its ability to treat qi stagnation in the heart, abdomen, and intestines/stomach: the heart, abdomen, and intestines/stomach encompass the Zang and Fu organs. There are twelve meridians connecting these organs, and it is said that all eleven Zang-Fu organs depend on the Gallbladder for decision-making. Chai Hu is light and clear, capable of ascending and unblocking Gallbladder Qi. When Gallbladder Qi flows freely, the other eleven organs follow suit in their dissemination and transformation. Thus, any qi stagnation in the heart, abdomen, and intestines/stomach can be dispersed. Regarding its ability to treat food accumulation: when food enters the Stomach, its refined essence is distributed to the Liver. The Liver's dispersing function relies on the Shaoyang Gallbladder as the master of growth and generation. By ascending and unblocking Gallbladder Qi, Chai Hu enables the Liver to distribute essence, causing food accumulations to descend and dissipate naturally.
The Shaoyang Meridian travels through the half-exterior and half-interior regions. When Shaoyang is affected by pathogens, if the pathogen merges with Yin, chills occur; if it merges with Yang, fever occurs. Chai Hu harmonizes Shaoyang, thus treating pathogenic chills and fevers. When Spring Qi arrives, all things renew themselves. Chai Hu possesses the ascending nature of Spring Qi from Heaven and Earth, entering Shaoyang to generate Qi and Blood, thereby primarily promoting the removal of the old and the generation of the new. Long-term use causes Clear Qi to ascend, strengthening Yang Qi daily, which results in a light and agile body. The essence of the Zang and Fu organs ascends to nourish the eyes, resulting in clear vision. As Clear Qi ascends, Yin Qi descends, thereby benefiting Essence. Essence is the brilliant essence of Yin Qi.
Formulation Applications:
When combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Banxia (Pinelliae Tuber), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Gancao (Licorice Root), Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), it is named Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). It treats Shaoyyang syndrome characterized by alternating chills and fever.
When combined with Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Gancao (Licorice Root), and Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), it is named Sini San (Reverse Extremities Powder). It treats chest and hypochondriac pain and cold extremities.
When combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Gancao (Licorice Root), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Guangpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), it is named Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction). It treats fatigue and lassitude due to labor injury.
When combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Gancao (Licorice Root), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), and Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), it treats Yuanqi (Original Qi) damaged by summerheat.
Combined with Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) and Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), etc., it can raise Yang Qi and disperse fire.
When combined with Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Gancao (Licorice Root), Fuling (Poria), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Guangpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), it is named Xiaoyao San (Free Wanderer Powder). It treats stagnant fire in the Liver and Gallbladder.