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Herbsmith Rx Xiao Chai Hu San for Cats, Dogs and Horses

$70.00

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Herb Type

Herb Size

Herbsmith Rx Xiao Chai Hu San for Cats, Dogs and Horses rx lineup

Herbsmith Rx Xiao Chai Hu San for Cats, Dogs and Horses

Veterinary Authorization Required for TCVM Herbal Formulas - TCVM Pet Supply

Herbsmith Rx Xiao Chai Hu San is a classical Chinese herbal formula recommended by holistic veterinarians to support harmonization of the lesser yang stage and resolution of half-exterior, half-interior disorders in dogs, cats, and horses. Based on the traditional formula Xiao Chai Hu Tang (also known as Minor Bupleurum Powder), it harmonizes and releases lesser yang-stage disorders. It is well suited for pets presenting with alternating fever and chills, intermittent appetite changes, nausea or vomiting, flank fullness or tightness, irritability, and a wiry pulse arising from pathogens lodged in the shao yang (lesser yang) stage between the exterior and interior. Available as a concentrated powder mixed into food; cats and dogs use the Canine Blend, while horses use the Equine/Horse Blend. Dosing varies by species and body weight, and your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.

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What It Supports

  • Lesser yang harmonization: Harmonizes the shao yang stage by addressing pathogens that have entered the half-exterior, half-interior space, resolving the alternating hot and cold, flank tightness, and digestive irregularity characteristic of lesser yang disorders in dogs, cats, and horses.
  • Exterior release: Supports the release of lingering pathogens from the lesser yang stage, helping the body expel what could not be fully resolved at the exterior level without driving the pathogen deeper into the interior.
  • Digestive and middle burner support: Tonifies the spleen and stomach qi to restore appetite, reduce nausea, and support the middle burner's role in generating qi and resisting pathogenic invasion, preventing recurrence of the pattern.
  • Qi tonification and right-qi support: Strengthens the zheng qi (right qi) and spleen-stomach function using Ren Shen, ensuring the body has the foundational qi needed to resolve the lesser yang pattern and recover from the disorder.

TCVM Principles

  • Primary action: Harmonizes the shao yang by simultaneously releasing the lesser yang stage and clearing the heat that has accumulated there, addressing the alternating fever and chills, flank fullness, and irritability that define the lesser yang pattern.
  • Secondary action: Tonifies qi and supports the middle burner to strengthen the body's right qi, ensuring the formula resolves the pattern without depleting the zheng qi needed for full recovery and resistance to further pathogenic invasion.

Available Forms

  • Powder - Canine Blend (for dogs and cats): Available in 75 g, 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into food at the recommended dose for your pet's weight. Cats and dogs both use this blend.
  • Powder - Equine/Horse Blend (for horses only): Available in 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into grain at the recommended dose for your horse.

Suggested Use

For Dogs (Canine Blend Powder):

  • Under 30 lbs: ½ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
  • 30-80 lbs: 1 tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
  • 80-120 lbs: 1½ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
  • Over 120 lbs: 2 tsp twice daily, or as prescribed

For Cats (Canine Blend Powder): ¼ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed

For Horses (Equine/Horse Blend, 1,000 lb horse): Two tablespoons twice daily for 20 days, then two tablespoons once daily in grain. If the horse initially refuses, start with a small amount mixed into grain and gradually increase until the horse is accustomed to the taste. Most horses will readily accept the herbs in their grain.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri), Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae), Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae), Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis Recens), Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis), Da Zao (Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae)

Inactive Ingredient: Flaxseed

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Active Ingredient TCVM Actions

Xiao Chai Hu San is a seven-herb formula that balances releasing and harmonizing herbs with qi-tonifying and middle-burner-supporting herbs to address the lesser yang pattern without depleting the body's right qi in the process:

  • Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) - Bupleurum Root: Principal herb; releases the lesser yang stage, spreads liver qi, and raises the clear yang; the primary herb for shao yang disorders, directly addressing the pathogen lodged in the half-exterior, half-interior space and relieving the alternating fever and chills and flank tightness characteristic of the lesser yang pattern.
  • Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) - Skullcap Root: Deputy herb; clears heat and dries dampness from the lesser yang and upper burner; works with Chai Hu as the classic shao yang pair, clearing the heat component of the lesser yang pattern while Chai Hu releases the exterior component, together addressing both aspects of the alternating hot and cold presentation.
  • Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae) - Pinellia Rhizome: Transforms phlegm, dries dampness, descends rebellious stomach qi, and relieves nausea and vomiting; addresses the stomach qi rebellion and phlegm-damp component of the lesser yang pattern, restoring the stomach's normal downward-directing action and relieving the nausea, vomiting, and fullness associated with this stage.
  • Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis Recens) - Fresh Ginger Rhizome: Warms the stomach, relieves nausea, disperses cold, and assists Ban Xia in descending rebellious qi; supports the middle burner and reduces the nausea and vomiting of the lesser yang pattern, and moderates the drying action of Ban Xia.
  • Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) - Ginseng Root: Strongly tonifies the yuan qi (source qi) and spleen-stomach qi, generates fluids, and supports the right qi; strengthens the body's zheng qi to support resolution of the lesser yang pattern from within, and prevents the pathogen from driving deeper into the interior by bolstering the body's resistance.
  • Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis) - Honey-fried Licorice Root: Tonifies the spleen qi, moderates the actions of the other herbs, and harmonizes the formula; supports the middle burner alongside Ren Shen and Da Zao, and ensures the formula's releasing and clearing herbs are well tolerated.
  • Da Zao (Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae) - Jujube Date: Tonifies the spleen and stomach qi, nourishes the blood, and calms the spirit; works with Ren Shen and Zhi Gan Cao to strengthen the middle burner and right qi, and moderates the dispersing and drying actions of Chai Hu and Ban Xia to protect the qi and blood during the resolution of the lesser yang pattern.

Potential Drug Interactions

Xiao Chai Hu San contains liver-regulating, heat-clearing, and qi-tonifying herbs including Chai Hu, Huang Qin, and Ren Shen, which have significant hepatic-metabolizing, immune-modulating, and cardiovascular-influencing properties. Ren Shen in particular warrants close veterinary monitoring in pets on cardiac medications or stimulant therapies, as it can influence heart rate, blood pressure, and the metabolism of certain drugs. Pets currently on prescription medications should use this formula under veterinary supervision, as herb-drug interaction research in dogs and cats remains limited.

Medication categories warranting extra caution include cardiac medications, anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, immunosuppressive drugs, corticosteroids, diuretics, and pets managing multiple concurrent prescriptions. Your authorizing veterinarian can determine appropriateness based on your pet's condition, current medications, and laboratory results.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions is Xiao Chai Hu San used for in TCVM?

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Xiao Chai Hu San is indicated for lesser yang-stage (shao yang) disorders, presenting as alternating fever and chills, intermittent appetite changes, nausea or vomiting, flank fullness or tightness, irritability, and a wiry pulse. Also known as Minor Bupleurum Powder, it is appropriate for pets whose presentations reflect a pathogen lodged in the half-exterior, half-interior space of the shao yang stage, where the pathogen can no longer be released through the exterior but has not yet penetrated fully into the interior.

How is Xiao Chai Hu San administered to dogs, cats, and horses?

Mix the powder directly into food or grain at the dose recommended for your pet's species and body weight. Both dogs and cats use the Canine Blend; horses use the Equine/Horse Blend. Dogs and cats receive the formula twice daily; horses receive two tablespoons twice daily for the first 20 days, then once daily for maintenance. Your authorizing veterinarian will confirm the appropriate dose and schedule for your individual pet.

How long does it take to see results with Xiao Chai Hu San?

As a formula designed to harmonize and release an active lesser yang-stage pattern, Xiao Chai Hu San is intended to act relatively promptly when the pattern is well matched. Many pets show improvement in fever patterns, appetite, nausea, and flank tightness within 1 to 3 weeks of consistent use. If the presentation shifts, such as signs moving fully to the interior or resolving to the exterior, the pattern may have changed, and your veterinarian may recommend transitioning to a different formula appropriate to the current stage.

Can Xiao Chai Hu San be combined with other TCVM formulas or conventional medications?

Combination with complementary TCVM formulas is common in holistic veterinary practice and should be guided by your authorizing veterinarian based on your pet's full pattern diagnosis. Because this formula contains Ren Shen, which can influence cardiac function and drug metabolism, and Chai Hu, which is processed by the liver and may affect the metabolism of certain medications, veterinary oversight is especially important if your pet is on cardiac medications, immunosuppressive drugs, or corticosteroids, to ensure the treatment plan is appropriate for your pet's overall health status.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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  • how many mg/tsp is the powder?

    Hi, thank you for your question!

    The 75g powder contains about 38 teaspoons per bottle.

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