My Chai Gu Jiedu Tang for Viral Pneumonia and Its Complications

Doctor zhou
Recently I have treated many patients with viral pneumonia due to the COVID virus (many of them with white lung), as well as some patients with coronary blockage presenting with chest tightness and chest pain, and some cerebral-infarction patients presenting with dizziness and headache. I have continuously improved my prescription and finally assembled a general-purpose formula with excellent efficacy; it has been used on multiple patients, all with effect, so I am publishing it for everyone's reference.
Chai Gu Jiedu Tang: Chaihu (Bupleurum) 15 g, Guizhi (cinnamon twig) 10 g, Pao Fuzi (blast-fried aconite) 15 g (decoct first for half an hour), Rougui (cinnamon bark) 15 g, Shudihuang (prepared Rehmannia) 30 g, Baishao (white peony) 10 g, Renshen (ginseng) 10 g, Huangqin (Scutellaria) 10 g, Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes root) 12 g, Chuanxiong (Sichuan lovage) 10 g, Dilong (earthworm) 10 g, Xiebai (Allium macrostemon) 10 g, Chao Zhishi (fried immature bitter orange) 6 g, Houpo (Magnolia bark) 6 g, Cangzhu (Atractylodes lancea) 10 g, Sangbaipi (mulberry bark) 15 g, Digupi (Lycium bark) 15 g, Zhigancao (honey-fried licorice) 6 g, Shengjiang (fresh ginger) 7 slices, Dazao (jujube) 7 pieces.
The Pao Fuzi in this formula must be decocted first for 20–30 minutes. After decocting the Pao Fuzi, add the other herbs and add water to 2–3 cm above the herbs. First bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until about one bowl of decoction remains. Pour out the decoction, then again add water to 2–3 cm above the herbs and boil another bowl (the aconite need not be decocted first in the second boil). Combine the two decoctions in a clay pot and simmer about 5 minutes; then pour out the liquid and divide into 3–6 equal portions, taking one portion after meals. While taking this medicine, avoid spicy and greasy food, beans, seafood, dairy products, and sweet potatoes.
This is the adult dose; infants use one-quarter to one-third of the dose, children aged 5–10 use half, children over 10 use the adult dose, and frail elderly people may take one packet over 2–3 days.
At present the great majority of viral pneumonia patients are elderly over 60. Some elderly people are usually in fair health and can take one packet per day. But some were already weak, and may take one packet over 2 or 3 days. Recently I have observed near-miraculous effects in some patients: those diagnosed with viral pneumonia with not only pulmonary exudate (white lung) but also limb edema can, after taking this medicine, see water and edema resolve overnight, with temperature returning to normal. This effect surprised even me; it has a life-restoring effect on dying critically ill patients. But not every patient responds this quickly.
After taking this formula, urine output will increase markedly; this is a normal pharmacological reaction and nothing to fear. Some patients develop abdominal pain and mild diarrhea after taking it; this too is nothing to fear. If the patient has a history of habitual diarrhea and develops diarrhea on this medicine, Sishen Wan (Four Spirits Pills) may be taken together.
Let me explain the formula-building rationale. This formula combines Chaihu Guizhi Tang, Gualou Guizhi Xiebai Zhishi Tang, and Xiebai San, and adds Fuzi, Rougui, Shudihuang, Chuanxiong, Dilong, and Cangzhu; in it, Fabanxia in Chaihu Guizhi Tang has been replaced by Tianhuafen.
This formula integrates multiple strategies—warming yang and activating blood, releasing both the exterior and interior, and promoting urination and reducing swelling—and can effectively relieve fever, stasis blockage (pulmonary embolism, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, etc. all belong to stasis blockage), pleural effusion (white lung), fatigue, and breathing difficulty caused by viral pneumonia.
Chaihu Guizhi Tang is the representative formula for releasing both exterior and interior; Gualou Guizhi Xiebai Zhishi Tang is the representative formula for chest impediment and chest pain (i.e., coronary heart disease); Xiebai San is the representative formula for draining the lung and calming wheezing. Shudihuang, Fuzi, and Rougui supplement both kidney yin and kidney yang, strengthen the heart, and rescue yang from counterflow; Chuanxiong and Dilong strengthen the action of activating blood and resolving stasis; Cangzhu fortifies the spleen and promotes diuresis, and combined with Houpo forms half of Pingwei San, improving the gastrointestinal discomfort caused by viral pneumonia. So this formula is very suitable for viral pneumonia patients.
When taking Chai Gu Jiedu Tang, one must follow the principle of "stop once the disease is controlled." If after taking the medicine most symptoms have resolved, blood oxygen saturation is normal, stamina has returned, temperature is normal, and breathing is no longer difficult, do not continue taking it; from then on, rest and observe without medication, or finish with the Chai Gui Jiedu Wan I recently published.

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