Chief

• chái hú 9-12g Regulate qi by venting heat and releasing constraint. Favilitates ascent of clear yang and descent of turbid yin.

Deputy

• zhǐ shí 9-12g _chao_ "h:zhi shi" is called for. Drains stagnation, breaks up stagnant qi, redices accumulation in the middle burner to facilitate the T&T functions of the Spleen and Stomach. Bitterness directs downward to complement "h:Chai Hu"'s focus on dredging Shao Yang. This results in a stronger Qi-regulation function and thereby smooth dispersion of heat d/t constraint.

Assistant

• bái sháo 12-24g Nourishes the Liver and preserves the yin. "Holds things in" -- in contrast to "h:Chai Hu" which disperses.

Envoy

• zhì gān cǎo 6-9g Harmonizes the other herbs in the formula, strengthens Earth to curb the Liver. With "h:Bai Shao" moderates acute or colicky pain.