dachaihu decoction + erzhiwan

Dachaihu Decoction + Erzhiwan is a combination of two classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas. Dachaihu Decoction (Da Chai Hu Tang, Major Bupleurum Decoction) is an ancient herbal formula originating from the "Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases" by Zhongjing Zhang during the Eastern Han Dynasty. It contains eight herbs including Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu), Rhubarb (Da Huang), Chinese Skullcap Root (Huang Qin), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi), Pinellia Rhizome (Ban Xia), White Peony Root (Bai Shao), Ginger (Sheng Jiang), and Jujube Fruit (Da Zao). Its main actions are to harmonize and release the Lesser Yang stage while draining internal clumping due to heat. Mechanistically, it targets multiple pathways involved in inflammation, liver protection, bile flow promotion, lipid metabolism regulation, and immune modulation—affecting signaling such as MAPK/ERK1/2 cascade and NF-κB activity[2][5][7]. Erzhiwan ("Two Ultimate Pill") is another classical TCM formula composed mainly of Ligustrum lucidum fruit ("Nu Zhen Zi") and Eclipta prostrata herb ("Han Lian Cao"). It is traditionally used for nourishing liver and kidney yin deficiency. The combination has been studied in clinical trials for conditions such as hypercholesterolemia[1], nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/metabolic associated fatty liver disease[2], acute cholecystitis[7], acute pancreatitis[5][8][9], type 2 diabetes mellitus, angina pectoris, cholecystitis/cholelithiasis/pancreatitis patterns in TCM theory. The mechanisms involve anti-inflammatory effects via reduction of cytokines like TNF-α/IL-6/IL-8/CRP; improvement of lipid metabolism; hepatoprotection; regulation of gut microbiota; antioxidative effects; modulation of glucose metabolism; angiogenesis inhibition; immunomodulation through various molecular targets including JUN/TNF/EGFR/MAPK3/SIRT1/HIF1A.

Other names

dachaihu decoction + erzhiwanda chai hu tang + erzhi wanmajor bupleurum decoction + erzhiwan