Kan Traditionals Calm Dragon Formula is a classical Chinese herbal formula recommended by holistic veterinarians to harmonize the Shao Yang level, anchor and subdue rising liver yang, calm the Ethereal Soul (Hun) and Spirit (Shen), clear liver heat, and support emotional and behavioral equilibrium in animals presenting with liver yang rising and unsettled Shen with heat. Also known by its classical name Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Bupleurum, Dragon Bone, and Oyster Shell Decoction), this twelve-herb formula is a classical modification of Minor Bupleurum Decoction (Xiao Chai Hu Tang) with Long Gu (dragon bone) and Mu Li (oyster shell) added to anchor and pull downward the Shao Yang-harmonizing properties of the base formula to the level of primal yin and yang, and with Gui Zhi replacing the original formula's Tai Yang-releasing strategy and Zhi Zi replacing Da Huang to clear heat from all three burners through the urine rather than through strong purgation. The formula addresses a range of liver qi stagnation and constraint patterns marked by an uprising of liver yang affecting all three yang channels simultaneously: the Tai Yang level (where Yang qi circulation is disrupted), the Shao Yang level (where the liver-gallbladder pivot is blocked and heat accumulates), and the Yang Ming level (where heat and dampness accumulate in the stomach and intestines). Calm Dragon Formula drains and disperses the uprising qi while supporting the middle burner and tonifying the normal qi through Bai Ren Shen; it clears heat, settles the emotions, supports healthy fluid metabolism through Ban Xia and Fu Ling, dredges the liver, resolves constraint, harmonizes the Shao Yang pivot, and unblocks and opens up the three burners. Its combination of warm and cold, supplementing and draining ingredients restores equilibrium to body and mind by regulating the Triple Burner (San Jiao) mechanisms. This formula is indicated for excess patterns only and is not appropriate for deficiency patterns; a TCVM veterinarian must confirm the pattern. Available as a liquid extract and tablet. Dosing varies by species and body weight, and your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
What It Supports
- Shao Yang harmonizing and liver qi stagnation resolving through Chai Hu as the chief herb: Harmonizes the Shao Yang level, courses and releases the liver qi, removes stagnation at the half-interior and half-exterior Shao Yang level, and restores the smooth pivoting function of the Shao Yang that liver qi constraint has blocked through Chai Hu (bupleurum root, Bupleurum chinense). Chai Hu's bitter, acrid, and slightly cold nature enters the liver and gallbladder channels to directly release the liver qi stagnation and harmonize the Shao Yang pivot that is the formula's primary target pattern, restoring the Shao Yang's smooth transition between interior and exterior and between the liver and gallbladder. As the formula's chief herb, Chai Hu provides the primary Shao Yang-harmonizing and liver qi-coursing action that the formula's supporting strategies build upon. Mild saikosaponin content; monitoring warranted at high doses in animals with pre-existing liver conditions.
- Phlegm transforming and rebellious qi descending through Jiang Ban Xia: Transforms phlegm, descends rebellious qi, dries dampness in the middle jiao, and addresses the phlegm-heat that liver qi stagnation generates when qi constraint creates heat that congeals fluids into phlegm through Jiang Ban Xia (ginger-cured pinellia rhizome, Pinellia ternata). Jiang Ban Xia's acrid and warm nature enters the spleen, stomach, and lung channels to dry dampness, transform phlegm, and descend the rebellious stomach qi that the liver, overacting on the stomach, is driving upward, addressing the phlegm-heat obstruction that complicates the Shao Yang pattern. The ginger-curing reduces pinellia's inherent toxicity and enhances its stomach-harmonizing action. Generally well tolerated at standard doses in the ginger-cured form.
- Spleen qi tonifying and formula moderating through Hong Zao: Tonifies spleen qi, nourishes blood, moderates the actions of the formula's harsher herbs, and protects the middle jiao from the draining and dispersing strategy of the formula's chief herbs through Hong Zao (red jujube fruit, Ziziphus jujuba). Hong Zao's sweet and warm nature enters the spleen and stomach channels to strengthen the middle jiao, nourish blood and yin to support the normal qi that the formula's strong draining herbs could injure, and harmonize the formula's contrasting warm and cold, draining and tonifying ingredients. As a harmonizing and moderating herb, Hong Zao ensures the formula's strong liver-coursing and heat-clearing strategy does not deplete the normal qi. Generally well tolerated.
- Three-burner heat clearing through Zhi Zi: Clears heat from all three burners, drains fire, calms restlessness associated with heat disturbing the Shen, and provides the heat-clearing and fire-draining function that guides the heat out through the urine rather than through strong downward purgation through Zhi Zi (gardenia fruit, Gardenia jasminoides). Zhi Zi replaces Da Huang (rhubarb) from the classical base formula to clear heat from all three burners through the urine rather than through strong purgation, making the formula's heat-clearing strategy gentler and better suited for the chronic Shao Yang heat patterns common in veterinary patients. Cold nature; monitor animals with spleen yang vacuity or loose stools.
- Liver yang anchoring and Shen calming through Mu Li: Anchors the liver yang, calms the Shen, softens hardness, and provides the heavy downward-anchoring action that pulls the rising liver yang back toward its proper lower residence through Mu Li (oyster shell, calcined, Ostrea gigas). Mu Li's salty, slightly cold nature enters the liver and kidney channels to heavily anchor liver yang through the weight and saltiness of this mineral-category herb, working alongside Long Gu to provide the formula's dual yang-anchoring strategy. Mu Li and Long Gu together constitute the formula's defining modification from Xiao Chai Hu Tang, providing the downward-anchoring force that drives the liver yang rising pattern back to its root. High calcium content; monitoring is warranted in animals on medications that affect calcium and mineral absorption.
- Spleen dampness draining and Shen calming through Fu Ling: Drains dampness from the spleen, strengthens spleen function, quiets the heart, and calms the Shen through Fu Ling (poria, Poria cocos). Fu Ling's sweet and neutral nature enters the heart, spleen, and kidney channels to drain dampness and support the spleen's transforming and transporting function, complementing Ban Xia's phlegm-transforming and dampness-drying action at the middle jiao level and adding a direct Shen-calming effect through the heart channel. Generally well tolerated.
- Tai Yang Yang qi restoring and channel unblocking through Gui Zhi: Restores the flow of yang qi, unblocks the channels, harmonizes ying and wei, warms and supports the heart yang, and addresses the Tai Yang level blockage from yang qi constraint through Gui Zhi (Chinese cinnamon twig, Cinnamomum cassia). Gui Zhi's acrid and warm nature enters the heart, lung, and urinary bladder channels to restore the flow of yang qi through the channels and restore the Tai Yang's smooth yang qi circulation, addressing the yang qi constraint at the Tai Yang level that accompanies the Shao Yang pattern in this formula. Coumarin content with mild anticoagulant effects; monitoring warranted in animals on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Contraindicated in pregnant animals; use with caution in animals with excess heat patterns where the warm nature could amplify heat.
- Shao Yang heat clearing and fire draining through Huang Qin: Clears heat, drains fire, dries dampness in the stomach and intestines, and addresses the heat accumulation at the Shao Yang level through Huang Qin (Chinese skullcap root, Scutellaria baicalensis). Huang Qin's bitter and cold nature enters the lung, gallbladder, spleen, large intestine, and small intestine channels to clear heat and drain the fire generated by liver qi stagnation and Shao Yang constraint at the half-interior level, complementing Chai Hu's Shao Yang-releasing and Zhi Zi's three-burner heat-draining strategy. In the classical Xiao Chai Hu Tang structure, Chai Hu and Huang Qin form the core Shao Yang-harmonizing pair, with Chai Hu releasing the constraint and Huang Qin clearing the heat generated by that constraint. Baicalin content; monitoring warranted with hepatically metabolized medications and anticoagulant medications.
- Yuan qi tonifying and middle jiao supporting through Bai Ren Shen: Tonifies the yuan qi, strengthens the spleen and lung, supports overall vitality, and ensures the formula's strong draining strategy does not deplete the normal qi through Bai Ren Shen (white Asian ginseng root and rhizome, Panax ginseng). Bai Ren Shen's sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly warm nature enters the spleen, lung, and heart channels to tonify the yuan qi and strengthen the middle jiao, providing the qi-supplementing counterbalance to the formula's strong liver-coursing, heat-clearing, and yang-anchoring strategy. Without Bai Ren Shen's tonifying presence, the formula's draining herbs could deplete the normal qi; with it, the formula drains excess while preserving the body's own qi. Ginsenoside content: monitoring warranted in animals on anticoagulant medications (mild antiplatelet effect), stimulant medications, immunosuppressive drugs, and antidiabetic medications.
- Liver yang anchoring and Shen settling through Dai Zhe Shi: Anchors the liver yang, subdues liver yang rising, calms the Shen, and provides a second heavy mineral-category yang-anchoring force alongside Mu Li and Long Gu through Dai Zhe Shi (hematite, Haematitum). Dai Zhe Shi's bitter and cold nature enters the liver, heart, and stomach channels to anchor liver yang through its heavy descending quality and to cool blood-level heat from rising liver yang, providing the formula's most powerfully downward-directing yang-anchoring action through its iron oxide content and mineral weight. High iron and mineral content; monitoring is warranted in animals on medications that affect mineral absorption and in animals with iron metabolism concerns.
- Liver yang anchoring and Shen calming through Long Gu: Anchors the liver yang, calms the Shen, prevents leakage of fluids, and provides the foundational heavy mineral yang-anchoring action that defines this formula's modification from the base Xiao Chai Hu Tang through Long Gu (dragon bone, fossilized bone, Os Draconis). Long Gu's sweet and astringent nature enters the heart, liver, and kidney channels to calm the Shen and anchor the liver yang through the downward-directing and consolidating action of fossilized mineral bone, working alongside Mu Li to provide the dual yang-anchoring and Shen-calming strategy at the core of this formula's modification. High calcium and mineral content; monitoring is warranted in animals on medications that affect calcium and mineral absorption.
- Middle jiao warming and formula harmonizing through Gan Jiang: Warms the middle jiao, disperses cold from the stomach, and harmonizes the formula's contrasting cold and warm herbs, ensuring the cold-natured heat-clearing herbs (Zhi Zi, Huang Qin, Dai Zhe Shi) do not injure the middle jiao yang through Gan Jiang (dried ginger rhizome, Zingiber officinale). Gan Jiang's acrid and hot nature enters the spleen, stomach, heart, and lung channels to warm the middle jiao and prevent the formula's cold-natured draining herbs from over-cooling the spleen and stomach, providing the thermal balancing function that allows the formula's combination of warm and cold ingredients to work together without creating a secondary cold injury to the middle jiao. Generally well tolerated at standard doses.
TCVM Principles
- Primary action - liver yang rising with unsettled Shen and heat pattern blocking all three yang levels, through the combined strategy of Shao Yang harmonizing (Chai Hu, Huang Qin), liver yang anchoring (Long Gu, Mu Li, Dai Zhe Shi), three-burner heat clearing (Zhi Zi), phlegm transforming and qi descending (Ban Xia, Fu Ling), Tai Yang Yang qi restoring (Gui Zhi), middle jiao supporting and normal qi tonifying (Bai Ren Shen, Hong Zao, Gan Jiang): Calm Dragon Formula addresses the liver yang rising with Shao Yang blockage and unsettled Shen pattern through the classical Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang structure. The core Shao Yang-harmonizing pair (Chai Hu, Huang Qin) releases the constraint and clears the heat at the Shao Yang level. The triple yang-anchoring strategy (Long Gu, Mu Li, Dai Zhe Shi) pulls the rising liver yang downward and settles the Shen and Hun. Zhi Zi clears heat from all three burners through the urine. Ban Xia and Fu Ling transform phlegm-heat and support fluid metabolism. Gui Zhi restores Tai Yang yang qi flow. Bai Ren Shen, Hong Zao, and Gan Jiang tonify the middle jiao and normal qi to prevent depletion from the formula's strong draining strategy. Treatment Principles: harmonize Shao Yang, anchor liver yang, clear heat, calm Shen and Hun, transform phlegm, and address liver yang rising with three-yang level blockage.
- Critical contraindication: this formula is indicated for excess patterns only and is not appropriate for deficiency patterns; pattern differentiation from kidney yin vacuity generating liver yang rising (where deep yin tonification is the primary strategy), from liver blood vacuity with internal wind (where blood tonification without the strong draining herbs is primary), or from simple anxiety from shen vacuity (where shen tonification is primary): Calm Dragon Formula's combination of strong draining, heat-clearing, and yang-anchoring herbs makes it inappropriate for deficiency patterns where the normal qi is already depleted. The key differentiating signs confirming the excess pattern: a red tongue body with a greasy, white or yellow coating and swollen edges (reflecting heat and dampness at the Shao Yang level); a wiry, rapid or tense, slippery and flooding pulse (confirming liver qi constraint, excess heat, and phlegm-dampness); and the behavioral-emotional signs of excess heat disturbing the Shen (restlessness, agitation, irritability, vivid dreaming, insomnia). A pale tongue with a weak, thin pulse indicates deficiency and contraindicates this formula. Your authorizing veterinarian must confirm the excess liver yang rising with Shao Yang heat pattern before initiating this formula.
Available Forms
- 1 oz Liquid: Concentrated liquid extract; mix into food or administer directly.
- 2 oz Liquid: Larger liquid supply for ongoing use.
- 8 oz Liquid: Bulk liquid supply for extended or multi-pet use.
- 60 Tablets - 500mg: Traditional small tablet format; can be hidden in food or a soft treat for easy administration.
- 120 Tablets - 500mg: Mid-size tablet supply for ongoing use.
- 300 Tablets - 500mg: Largest tablet supply for long-term management.
Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense, root), Jiang Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata, ginger-cured rhizome), Hong Zao (Ziziphus jujuba, red fruit), Zhi Zi (Gardenia jasminoides, fruit), Mu Li (Ostrea gigas, calcined shell), Fu Ling (Poria cocos), Gui Zhi (Cinnamomum cassia, twig), Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis, root), Bai Ren Shen (Panax ginseng, white root and rhizome), Dai Zhe Shi (Haematitum, hematite), Long Gu (Os Draconis, fossilized bone), Gan Jiang (Zingiber officinale, dried rhizome)
Inactive ingredients vary by form; liquid extracts contain alcohol and water; tablets may contain excipients standard to tablet manufacturing.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Active Ingredient TCVM Actions
Calm Dragon Formula (Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang) is a classical modification of Minor Bupleurum Decoction (Xiao Chai Hu Tang) with Long Gu and Mu Li added to anchor the liver yang and calm the Shen, and Gui Zhi, Dai Zhe Shi, and Zhi Zi incorporated to address the Tai Yang level and three-burner heat through the urine rather than purgation. The formula combines warm and cold, supplementing and draining ingredients across twelve herbs:
- Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense) - Bupleurum Root / Chinese Thoroughwax Root: Chief herb; harmonizes the Shao Yang level, courses and releases liver qi stagnation, and restores the Shao Yang pivot. Mild saikosaponin content; monitoring warranted in animals with pre-existing liver conditions.
- Jiang Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata, ginger-cured) - Ginger-Cured Pinellia Rhizome: Transforms phlegm-heat, descends rebellious qi, and dries dampness at the middle jiao. Ginger-curing reduces inherent toxicity. Generally well tolerated at standard doses in ginger-cured form.
- Hong Zao (Ziziphus jujuba) - Red Jujube Fruit: Tonifies spleen qi, nourishes blood, and moderates the formula's harsh draining herbs; protects the normal qi. Generally well tolerated.
- Zhi Zi (Gardenia jasminoides) - Gardenia Fruit / Cape Jasmine Fruit: Clears heat from all three burners and drains fire through the urine; replaces Da Huang from the classical base formula for gentler heat clearance. Cold nature; caution in animals with spleen yang vacuity.
- Mu Li (Ostrea gigas, calcined) - Oyster Shell / Calcined Oyster Shell: Anchors liver yang, calms the Shen, and softens hardness; forms the core dual yang-anchoring pair with Long Gu. High calcium content; monitoring warranted with medications affected by mineral absorption.
- Fu Ling (Poria cocos) - Poria / Hoelen / China Root: Drains dampness, strengthens spleen function, and calms the Shen through the heart channel. Generally well tolerated.
- Gui Zhi (Cinnamomum cassia, twig) - Chinese Cinnamon Twig: Restores Tai Yang yang qi flow, warms and unblocks the channels, and harmonizes ying and wei. Coumarin content with mild anticoagulant effects; monitoring warranted with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications. Contraindicated in pregnant animals.
- Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis) - Chinese Skullcap Root / Baical Skullcap Root: Clears Shao Yang heat, drains fire, and dries dampness in the stomach and intestines; forms the core Shao Yang-harmonizing pair with Chai Hu. Baicalin content; monitor when taken with hepatically metabolized and anticoagulant medications.
- Bai Ren Shen (Panax ginseng, white) - White Asian Ginseng Root and Rhizome: Tonifies yuan qi and strengthens the spleen and lung; provides the supplementing counterbalance to the formula's draining strategy. Ginsenoside content; monitoring warranted with anticoagulant, stimulant, immunosuppressive, and antidiabetic medications.
- Dai Zhe Shi (Haematitum) - Hematite / Iron Ore: Anchors liver yang and subdues rising yang through its heavy mineral downward-directing action; the formula's most powerfully descending yang-anchoring herb. High iron and mineral content; monitoring warranted with medications affected by mineral absorption.
- Long Gu (Os Draconis) - Dragon Bone / Fossilized Bone: Anchors liver yang and calms the Shen through the fossilized mineral bone's consolidating and downward-directing action; forms the core dual yang-anchoring pair with Mu Li. High calcium and mineral content; monitor medications affected by mineral absorption.
- Gan Jiang (Zingiber officinale, dried) - Dried Ginger Rhizome / Chinese Dried Ginger: Warms the middle jiao and harmonizes the formula's cold-natured herbs; prevents cold injury to the spleen and stomach from the formula's heat-clearing strategy. Generally well tolerated.
Potential Drug Interactions
Calm Dragon Formula has a notable drug interaction profile because of its combination of heavy mineral yang-anchoring herbs, the Shao Yang-harmonizing and hepatically active Chai Hu and Huang Qin, the anticoagulant-relevant Gui Zhi and Bai Ren Shen, and its overall strong draining strategy. The three heavy mineral herbs (Long Gu, Mu Li, Dai Zhe Shi) have significant calcium and iron mineral content that can interfere with the absorption of oral medications, including certain antibiotics (tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones), thyroid medications, and other medications where mineral binding affects bioavailability; these medications should be timed separately from this formula under veterinary guidance. Gui Zhi's coumarin content and Bai Ren Shen's ginsenoside antiplatelet effects together create a combined anticoagulant concern warranting review in animals on warfarin, heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel, or other anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Huang Qin's baicalin content warrants monitoring in animals on hepatically metabolized medications through CYP enzyme pathways. Bai Ren Shen warrants monitoring in animals on stimulant medications, immunosuppressive drugs, and antidiabetic medications. This formula is contraindicated in pregnant animals (Gui Zhi contraindication) and is not for use in deficiency patterns.
Medication categories warranting extra caution: anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (Gui Zhi coumarin and Bai Ren Shen ginsenoside combined effects), oral medications with mineral absorption sensitivity (Long Gu, Mu Li, Dai Zhe Shi combined mineral content - administer separately), hepatically metabolized medications (Huang Qin baicalin CYP interactions), stimulant and immunosuppressive medications (Bai Ren Shen ginsenoside interactions), sedatives and anxiolytics (coordinate with veterinarian given the formula's Shen-calming and yang-anchoring actions), and thyroid medications (mineral binding from heavy mineral herbs). Your authorizing veterinarian will determine appropriateness based on your pet's condition, current medications, tongue quality, and pulse character.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Calm Dragon Formula used for in TCVM, and what signs confirm the pattern it addresses?
In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Calm Dragon Formula (Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang) addresses liver yang rising with Shao Yang blockage and an unsettled Shen and Hun pattern, an excess pattern involving blockage at all three yang levels simultaneously. The formula is indicated for emotional and behavioral signs that reflect excess heat disturbing the Shen: occasional anxiety, agitation, irritability, or restlessness from heat disturbing the spirit; disturbed sleep with vivid dreaming from Shen and Hun unsettled by heat; occasional insomnia; occasional fullness or discomfort in the chest from qi constraint and phlegm-heat; and occasional fatigue or lethargy from the qi-blocking effect of the Shao Yang constraint. The confirming tongue and pulse signs are critical for pattern differentiation: a red tongue body with a greasy, white or yellow coating and swollen edges (confirming heat and dampness at the Shao Yang level) and a wiry, rapid or tense, slippery and flooding pulse (confirming liver qi constraint, excess heat, and phlegm-dampness). A pale tongue with a weak or thin pulse indicates a deficiency pattern and contraindicates this formula. This formula is for excess patterns only; your authorizing veterinarian must confirm the pattern before you begin using it.
How is Calm Dragon Formula administered?
Calm Dragon Formula is available in concentrated liquid extract (1 oz, 2 oz, or 8 oz) and 500 mg tablets (60, 120, or 300 count). You can mix the liquid directly into food or administer it with a dropper; you can give the tablets directly or hide them in food or a soft treat for easy administration. Dosing varies by species and body weight, and your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific dosing guidance. Because this formula contains Gui Zhi (mild anticoagulant effects) and Bai Ren Shen (antiplatelet effects) together, veterinary review of all current medications is important before use in animals on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Animals on medications sensitive to oral mineral absorption (antibiotics, thyroid medications) should take those medications separately from this formula, given the combined mineral content of Long Gu, Mu Li, and Dai Zhe Shi. This formula is not for use in pregnant animals and is not appropriate for deficiency patterns.
How long does it take to see results with Calm Dragon Formula?
As a formula addressing an excess liver yang rising and Shao Yang blockage pattern rather than a deep deficiency pattern, Calm Dragon Formula's strong draining, heat-clearing, and yang-anchoring strategy can provide relatively faster improvement in the acute excess signs compared to tonification formulas. You may see some improvement in emotional and behavioral signs (reduced agitation, improved sleep, decreased restlessness) within 2 to 4 weeks of consistent use as the liver yang is progressively anchored and the Shao Yang constraint is released. The formula's phlegm-transforming and heat-clearing components may also improve chest fullness and digestive signs within a similar timeframe. Because this is an excess pattern formula with strong draining herbs, long-term use requires ongoing veterinary monitoring to ensure the pattern has not shifted toward deficiency over time, at which point the formula would need to be modified or changed. Your authorizing veterinarian will monitor tongue quality, pulse character, and behavioral signs throughout the treatment course.
Can Calm Dragon Formula be used for anxiety in dogs and cats?
Calm Dragon Formula may be used for occasional anxiety in dogs and cats when the anxiety arises specifically from the Shao Yang or liver phlegm-heat pattern or internal blockage of yang qi - that is, when the anxiety is accompanied by the signs of excess heat disturbing the Shen: a red tongue with greasy coating, a wiry-rapid or slippery pulse, agitation or irritability alongside the anxiety, disturbed or vivid dreaming, and the constitutional profile of a reactive, high-energy animal whose anxiety manifests with heat signs rather than fearful withdrawal. This formula is not appropriate for anxiety arising from deficiency patterns, such as heart blood vacuity anxiety (pale tongue, thin pulse, timid and clingy behavior) or kidney yin vacuity with vacuity heat (red tongue with little coating, restless at night). Using an excess-pattern formula in a deficiency pattern can deplete the normal qi and worsen the condition. Because pattern differentiation is essential for selecting the correct formula, your authorizing veterinarian must confirm the liver yang rising with Shao Yang heat pattern through tongue and pulse examination before recommending Calm Dragon Formula for anxiety support.