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Herbsmith Rx Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San for Cats, Dogs and Horses

$70.00

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Herbsmith Rx Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San for Cats, Dogs and Horses

Herbsmith Rx Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San for Cats, Dogs and Horses

Veterinary Authorization Required for TCVM Herbal Formulas - TCVM Pet Supply

Herbsmith Rx Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San is a classical Chinese herbal formula recommended by holistic veterinarians to unblock the three yang stages, calm and sedate the spirit, clear depressive fire harassing the heart, and address the complex pattern of simultaneous exterior-interior involvement with spirit disturbance in dogs, cats, and horses. Also known as Bupleurum, Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Powder, Calm Dragon Formula, and Bupleurum D Formula, Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San is derived from the classical Shang Han Lun formula and is indicated for the three yang stages disorder pattern in which pathogenic factors have penetrated beyond the exterior into multiple levels simultaneously, generating the characteristic combination of spirit restlessness and agitation, chest oppression and palpitations, depressive fire harassing the heart spirit, and the underlying three yang stage involvement that prevents simple exterior-releasing or interior-clearing strategies from resolving the pattern. The twelve-herb formula addresses this complex pattern through four simultaneous therapeutic strategies: releasing the shaoyang and harmonizing the exterior-interior (Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Ban Xia, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao), calming and sedating the spirit through heavy mineral and shell substances (Long Gu, Mu Li), warming and unblocking the yangming and taiyang levels and supporting the yang (Gui Zhi, Fu Ling, Ren Shen), and purging depressive heat from the interior (Da Huang). Well suited for dogs, cats, and horses presenting with the three yang stages disorder pattern with spirit disturbance, characterized by restlessness, agitation, or anxious behavior; chest oppression or palpitations; insomnia or disturbed sleep; a wiry pulse reflecting shaoyang involvement; and the complex mixed exterior-interior presentation that resists single-strategy treatment. Available as a concentrated powder mixed into food; dogs and cats 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.

VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation

What It Supports

  • Shaoyang harmonizing and exterior-interior release through Chai Hu as the chief herb: Harmonizes the shaoyang, releases the exterior-interior constraint, spreads the liver qi, and addresses the shaoyang stage involvement that underlies the three yang disorder pattern through Chai Hu (bupleurum root, Radix Bupleuri). Chai Hu's bitter, acrid, and slightly cold nature enters the liver and gallbladder channels to harmonize the shaoyang hinge between exterior and interior, releasing the pathogenic factor that has lodged in this intermediate stage and generating the characteristic alternating pattern of exterior and interior signs. As the formula's chief herb, Chai Hu provides the primary shaoyang-harmonizing and exterior-interior-releasing action that addresses the pattern's central pathological mechanism. Saikosaponin content with hepatic enzyme activity effects; monitoring warranted with hepatically metabolized medications.
  • Shaoyang heat clearing and gallbladder channel clearing through Huang Qin: Clears heat from the shaoyang and gallbladder channel, cools depressive fire in the chest and hypochondrium, and pairs with Chai Hu as the classical shaoyang-harmonizing pair through Huang Qin (scutellaria root, Radix Scutellariae). Huang Qin's bitter and cold nature enters the lung, gallbladder, stomach, and large intestine channels to clear the heat component of the shaoyang pattern, while Chai Hu addresses the constraint, completing the Chai Hu-Huang Qin pair, the structural core of the shaoyang-harmonizing strategy. Baicalin and baicalein content with broad anti-inflammatory and CYP enzyme interaction potential; monitoring warranted in animals on hepatically metabolized medications and immunosuppressive medications.
  • Phlegm transformation and stomach harmonizing through Ban Xia: Transforms phlegm, harmonizes the stomach, descends the rebellious qi, and addresses the phlegm accumulation that the three yang disorder's complex pattern generates through Ban Xia (pinellia rhizome, Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae). Ban Xia's acrid, warm nature enters the spleen, stomach, and lung channels to transform phlegm accumulation in the middle jiao and harmonize the stomach qi's downward direction, ensuring the formula's multiple herbs integrate properly and that the middle jiao's transforming function supports the overall treatment strategy. Use Ban Xia in its processed form (zhi ban xia) to reduce the raw root's toxic alkaloid content; the Herbsmith Rx formulation uses the processed preparation. Do not use raw ban xia.
  • Spirit calming and heart anchoring through Long Gu: Calms the spirit, anchors the yang, settles the liver wind, and addresses the restlessness, agitation, and spirit disturbance that depressive fire harassing the heart generates through Long Gu (dragon bone, Os Draconis). Long Gu's sweet, astringent, and slightly cold nature enters the heart, liver, and kidney channels to calm the spirit through the heavy-settling action of its mineral calcium phosphate content, anchoring the agitated yang and settling the disturbed spirit from the mineral level. Long Gu and Mu Li are the formula's primary spirit-calming pair, addressing the spirit disturbance component of the three yang disorder pattern through the classical heavy-settling strategy. Generally well tolerated; calcium content may affect absorption of certain medications, requiring spacing from calcium-rich supplements.
  • Spirit calming and yin consolidation through Mu Li: Calms the spirit, anchors the floating yang, consolidates the yin, and works with Long Gu as the formula's primary spirit-settling pair through Mu Li (oyster shell, Concha Ostreae). Mu Li's salty, astringent, and slightly cold nature enters the liver and kidney channels to anchor the floating yang and consolidate the yin through its heavy mineral shell content (calcium carbonate), complementing Long Gu's spirit-calming action from the yin-consolidating and yang-anchoring direction. The Long Gu-Mu Li pair is one of the most important classical mineral combinations for spirit disturbance, restlessness, and agitation from yang-rising or depressive-fire patterns. Generally well tolerated; calcium content considerations as noted for Long Gu.
  • Yang warming and taiyang-yangming unblocking through Gui Zhi: Warms and unblocks the yang, releases the taiyang, warms the channels, and addresses the taiyang stage involvement in the three yang disorder pattern through Gui Zhi (cinnamon twig, Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae). Gui Zhi's acrid, warm nature enters the heart, lung, and urinary bladder channels to warm and unblock the taiyang level, ensuring the formula addresses the taiyang component of the three yang disorder alongside its shaoyang-harmonizing and interior-clearing actions. Gui Zhi's warming and moving action also supports the circulation of qi and blood through the channels, addressing the constraint at the taiyang level. Generally well tolerated; mild warming action warrants monitoring in animals with significant heat patterns where additional warming could aggravate.
  • Spirit calming and dampness transforming through Fu Ling: Calms the spirit, strengthens the spleen, transforms dampness, and supports the middle jiao's transforming function through Fu Ling (poria, Sclerotium Poriae Cocos). Fu Ling's sweet and neutral nature enters the heart, spleen, and kidney channels to calm the spirit through the spleen-strengthening and dampness-transforming route, addressing the heart spirit disturbance from the middle jiao level and ensuring the spleen's transforming function is supported throughout the treatment course. Fu Ling's spirit-calming action through spleen strengthening complements Long Gu and Mu Li's direct mineral settling action. Generally well tolerated.
  • Qi tonification and middle jiao support through Ren Shen: Tonifies the yuan qi, strengthens the spleen and lung, calms the spirit, and supports the body's correct qi through Ren Shen (ginseng root, Radix Ginseng). Ren Shen's sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly warm nature enters the spleen, lung, and heart channels to tonify the correct qi depleted by the complex pathogenic involvement of the three yang disorder, ensuring the body has the qi resources to respond to and resolve the complex pattern. Ren Shen's qi-tonifying action prevents the formula's multiple dispersing and clearing herbs from depleting the correct qi as they address the pathogenic factor. Ginsenoside content with broad pharmacological activity; monitoring warranted in animals on anticoagulant, antidiabetic, and cardiovascular medications.
  • Middle jiao harmonizing and formula integration through Sheng Jiang: Harmonizes the middle jiao, warms the stomach, disperses water, reduces Ban Xia's toxicity, and integrates the formula's diverse herbs through Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger rhizome, Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis Recens). Sheng Jiang's acrid and warm nature enters the spleen, stomach, and lung channels to harmonize the middle jiao, warm the stomach against the cold-natured herbs' potential to impair the middle jiao's yang, and reduce Ban Xia's residual alkaloid content through its detoxifying interaction with the prepared rhizome. Generally well tolerated.
  • Interior heat purging and yangming clearing through Da Huang: Purges heat and stagnation from the interior, clears the yangming, and drains the depressive fire that is harassing the heart spirit from below through Da Huang (rhubarb root, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei). Da Huang's bitter and cold nature enters the spleen, stomach, large intestine, liver, and heart channels to purge accumulated heat and stagnation from the yangming and provide a downward exit route for the depressive fire generated by the three yang disorder pattern. At the appropriate dose, Da Huang's purgative action clears interior heat downward rather than trapping it and forcing it upward to harass the spirit. Anthraquinone content; anticoagulant effects from emodin content; monitoring warranted in animals on anticoagulant medications. Do not use in animals with diarrhea or significant spleen yang vacuity.
  • Spleen qi nourishment and formula harmonization through Da Zao: Nourishes the spleen qi, calms the spirit, moderates the harsh properties of Da Huang and Chai Hu, and harmonizes the formula's diverse herbs through Da Zao (jujube fruit, Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae). Da Zao's sweet and warm nature enters the spleen, stomach, and heart channels to nourish the spleen qi, provide sweetness to moderate the formula's bitter and acrid herbs, and gently calm the spirit through its heart-nourishing action. Da Zao is the formula's harmonizing herb alongside Sheng Jiang, completing the classical Gui Zhi Tang structural pair that appears across many Shang Han Lun formulas. Generally well tolerated.

TCVM Principles

  • Primary action - three yang stages disorder with depressive fire harassing the heart spirit through the combined strategy of shaoyang harmonizing and exterior-interior release (Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Ban Xia, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao), spirit calming through heavy mineral and shell substances (Long Gu, Mu Li), taiyang unblocking and yang support (Gui Zhi, Fu Ling, Ren Shen), and yangming interior heat purging (Da Huang): Addresses the three yang stages disorder pattern through four simultaneous therapeutic strategies that target each level of the complex pattern. The Shaoyang-harmonizing group (Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Ban Xia, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao) addresses the Shaoyang hinge level, where the pathogen is lodged between exterior and interior. The spirit-calming mineral pair (Long Gu, Mu Li) directly settles the spirit disturbance that the depressive fire harassing the heart generates. The yang-supporting and taiyang-unblocking group (Gui Zhi, Fu Ling, Ren Shen) addresses taiyang-level involvement and supports the correct qi. Da Huang purges the yangming interior heat downward. Treatment Principles: harmonize the shaoyang, calm and sedate the spirit, unblock the three yang stages, and clear depressive fire from the heart.
  • Secondary action - pattern differentiation from simple shaoyang disorder (requiring only Xiao Chai Hu Tang without the spirit-calming additions), pure spirit disturbance without the three yang involvement (requiring spirit-calming formulas without the complex exterior-interior harmonizing strategy), and liver yang rising (requiring descending and anchoring formulas without the shaoyang-harmonizing and interior-purging components): Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San is indicated specifically for the complex three yang stages disorder with spirit disturbance, not for simple shaoyang patterns without the spirit disturbance component, pure heart spirit disturbance without the three yang stage involvement, or liver yang rising without the exterior-interior pattern. The clinical picture should include clear signs of shaoyang involvement (alternating signs, chest and hypochondrial fullness, wiry pulse) alongside the spirit disturbance (restlessness, agitation, insomnia, anxious behavior). Your authorizing veterinarian will confirm the three yang-stage disorder pattern with spirit disturbance through tongue and pulse examination and a comprehensive behavioral and clinical assessment.

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): 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. 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), Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng), Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis Recens), Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae), Fu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos), Long Gu (Os Draconis), Mu Li (Concha Ostreae), Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), Da Zao (Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae)

Inactive Ingredient: Flaxseed

VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation

Active Ingredient TCVM Actions

Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San is an eleven-herb formula (in this preparation) organized around four therapeutic strategies: shaoyang harmonizing and exterior-interior release (Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Ban Xia, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao), spirit calming through mineral and shell substances (Long Gu, Mu Li), yang support and taiyang unblocking (Gui Zhi, Fu Ling, Ren Shen), and yangming interior heat purging (Da Huang):

  • Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) - Bupleurum Root: Chief herb; harmonizes the shaoyang and releases the exterior-interior constraint. Saikosaponin content; monitoring warranted with hepatically metabolized medications.
  • Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) - Scutellaria Root / Skullcap Root: Clears shaoyang and gallbladder channel heat; pairs with Chai Hu as the classical shaoyang-harmonizing pair. Baicalin and baicalein content with CYP enzyme interaction potential.
  • Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae) - Pinellia Rhizome (processed): Transforms phlegm, harmonizes the stomach, and descends rebellious qi. Use the processed form only; do not use raw Ban Xia.
  • Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) - Ginseng Root: Tonifies the yuan qi and correct qi; prevents the formula's dispersing herbs from depleting the correct qi. Ginsenoside content; monitoring warranted with anticoagulant, antidiabetic, and cardiovascular medications.
  • Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis Recens) - Fresh Ginger Rhizome: Harmonizes the middle jiao, warms the stomach, and reduces Ban Xia's residual alkaloid content. Generally well tolerated.
  • Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae) - Cinnamon Twig: Warms and unblocks the taiyang, warms the channels and yang. Mild warming action warrants monitoring in animals with significant heat patterns.
  • Fu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos) - Poria / Hoelen: Calms the spirit through spleen strengthening, transforms dampness, and supports the middle jiao. Generally well tolerated.
  • Long Gu (Os Draconis) - Dragon Bone / Fossilized Bone: Calms the spirit, anchors the yang, and settles the liver wind through heavy mineral settling action. Calcium phosphate content; may affect absorption timing of medications requiring spacing from calcium.
  • Mu Li (Concha Ostreae) - Oyster Shell: Calms the spirit, anchors the floating yang, and consolidates the yin; pairs with Long Gu as the primary mineral spirit-settling pair. Calcium carbonate content; absorption timing considerations as for Long Gu.
  • Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) - Rhubarb Root: Purges yangming interior heat and provides a downward exit for depressive fire. Anthraquinone and emodin have anticoagulant effects; monitor closely when used with anticoagulant medications. Contraindicated in animals with diarrhea or significant spleen yang vacuity.
  • Da Zao (Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae) - Jujube Fruit / Chinese Date: Nourishes the spleen qi, calms the spirit, and harmonizes the formula. Generally well tolerated.

Potential Drug Interactions

Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San has a significant drug interaction profile because several of its herbs act across multiple pathways. The primary concerns are: Chai Hu's saikosaponin effects on hepatic CYP enzyme activity (warranting veterinary review of all hepatically metabolized medications before use); Huang Qin's baicalin and baicalein CYP enzyme interaction potential (additive with Chai Hu's effects, compounding the hepatic metabolism interaction risk for animals on hepatically metabolized medications); Da Huang's emodin anticoagulant and anthraquinone content (monitoring required in animals on warfarin, heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel, or other anticoagulant medications, and contraindicated in animals with diarrhea); and Ren Shen's ginsenoside content with broad pharmacological effects on anticoagulant, antidiabetic, and cardiovascular medication pathways.

Medication categories warranting extra caution: hepatically metabolized medications subject to CYP enzyme interactions (Chai Hu and Huang Qin combined effects - primary concern), anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (Da Huang emodin and anthraquinone anticoagulant effects), antidiabetic medications (Ren Shen ginsenoside blood glucose effects), cardiovascular medications (Ren Shen ginsenoside and Long Gu and Mu Li mineral effects), and CNS-modulating medications (Long Gu and Mu Li spirit-calming mineral effects may have additive sedating interactions). This formula is contraindicated in animals with diarrhea or significant spleen yang vacuity due to Da Huang's purgative action. Your authorizing veterinarian will determine appropriateness based on your animal's condition, current medications, and confirmation of the three yang stages disorder with spirit disturbance through tongue quality, pulse character, and comprehensive behavioral and clinical assessment.

VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions is Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San used for in TCVM?

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San is indicated for the three yang stages disorder pattern with depressive fire harassing the heart spirit. The clinical presentation centers on restlessness, agitation, or anxious behavior reflecting the spirit disturbance; chest oppression or palpitations; disturbed sleep or insomnia; the complex mixed exterior-interior signs of three yang stage involvement; and a wiry pulse reflecting shaoyang constraint alongside the spirit disturbance signs. This formula is suited for animals whose behavioral disturbance (anxiety, restlessness, agitation) occurs alongside physical signs of the three yang disorder pattern, not for simple behavioral issues without the accompanying TCVM pattern signs. Your authorizing veterinarian will confirm the three yang stages disorder pattern through comprehensive tongue and pulse examination and behavioral and clinical assessment.

How is Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San administered to dogs, cats, and horses?

Mix the powder into food or grain at the dose recommended for your animal's species and body weight. Dogs and cats use the Canine Blend; horses use the Equine/Horse Blend. All species receive the formula twice daily, with horses following the standard 20-day twice-daily loading protocol before transitioning to once-daily maintenance dosing. Because this formula contains Chai Hu and Huang Qin with potential hepatic CYP enzyme interactions, and Da Huang with anticoagulant effects, comprehensive veterinary review of all current medications is required before use. The formula contains Da Huang (rhubarb root) with purgative action; do not use in animals with diarrhea or significant spleen yang vacuity without explicit veterinary guidance.

How long does it take to see results with Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San?

As a formula addressing a complex pattern involving multiple yang stages and spirit disturbance, response timing depends on the pattern's chronicity and depth. Early improvement in the most acute spirit disturbance signs (reduced restlessness, decreased agitation, improved behavioral ease) may be seen within 1 to 3 weeks as the formula's spirit-calming mineral herbs and shaoyang-harmonizing herbs begin addressing the pattern. Improvement in pulse quality (wiry toward smoother) and the more chronic behavioral and physical signs of the three yang disorder pattern typically require 3 to 6 weeks. Chronic or deeply established patterns may require 2 to 4 months of treatment. Your authorizing veterinarian will monitor pulse quality, behavioral signs, and clinical presentation throughout the treatment course.

Is Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San appropriate for general anxiety or behavioral issues in pets?

Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li San is a TCVM pattern-specific formula indicated for the three yang stages disorder with depressive fire harassing the heart spirit; it is not a general anxiolytic or behavioral supplement appropriate for all animals with anxiety or behavioral changes. Its appropriateness depends entirely on whether the animal's presentation matches the specific TCVM pattern, including the shaoyang signs (alternating patterns, chest and hypochondrial involvement, wiry pulse), the spirit disturbance signs (restlessness, agitation, insomnia), and the complex exterior-interior presentation. Animals with behavioral changes from other TCVM patterns (heart blood vacuity, liver blood vacuity, kidney yin vacuity, liver qi stagnation) require different formulas suited to their specific pattern. Your authorizing veterinarian's tongue and pulse assessment and comprehensive behavioral evaluation will determine whether this formula is the correct match for your animal's specific TCVM presentation.

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