Clinical Application of Bai Hu Tang, July 24, 1977

Clinical Application of Bai Hu Tang, July 24, 1977

Bai Hu Tang is a famous formula in the “Shang Han Lun,” a masterpiece by Zhang Zhongjing. Recent studies have summarized the applications of Bai Hu Tang as “heat, thirst, sweat, and torrential flow,” providing a concise guide for clinical use. The “Shang Han Lun” records the following regarding Bai Hu Tang: “For typhoid fever, if after vomiting or purging, the condition does not improve after seven or eight days, with heat trapped inside, both exterior and interior are overheated, with occasional chills, intense thirst, and a dry, restless tongue, desiring to drink several liters of water, then Bai Hu Tang with ginseng is the primary treatment.” (168) “For typhoid fever without high fever, with dry mouth and thirst, restlessness, and slight chills on the back, Bai Hu Tang with ginseng is the primary treatment.” (169) “For typhoid fever, with a floating pulse and fever without sweating, the exterior is not resolved, so Bai Hu Tang should not be used; for those who desire water but have no exterior symptoms, Bai Hu Tang with ginseng is the primary treatment.” (170) “For typhoid fever, with a floating and slippery pulse, the exterior is hot and the interior is cold, Bai Hu Tang is the primary treatment.” (176) “For triad of yang diseases, with abdominal fullness and heaviness, difficulty turning over, numbness in the mouth, dirty face, delirium and urinary incontinence, sweating causing delirium, sweating on the forehead, cold extremities, and spontaneous sweating, Bai Hu Tang is the primary treatment.” (219) The above five passages demonstrate that heat, thirst, sweat, and torrential flow are all present. Anyone meeting all four criteria can use the formula; even if only one criterion is met, it can still be used; those with heat can use it, those with sweat can use it, those with thirst can use it, and those with a torrential pulse can also use it. The author believes this formula can be treated similarly to Xiao Chai Hu Tang. Conclusion: As long as one criterion is met, there is no need for all four.