Description

Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan is the basis for Shu Gan Wan.

Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan and Shu Gan are formulas that are often sold as a “patent” or over the counter pill and there are many variations of them. You really have to look at the label and see what you are getting. We go with the ingredients where Shu Gan Wan is actually more complex than Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan. One customer wrote me asking the difference between Shu Gan Wan and Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan. This is what I wrote her:

Thanks for asking. It is a bit confusing because there are many variations of Shu Gan Wan (and Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan) and they can vary. They both have Chai Hu in them.

Both are for helping the stomach feel better. “Shu Gan Wan” translates as “smooth the liver”. The liver in this case represents mental stress which is causing problems for the stomach. (You can think of going to a school you hate or visiting relatives where it is stressful.)

The Shu Gan Wan we carry does what Chai Hu Shu Gan does but Shu Gan Wan is more for pain that may come with stomach issues. So you might be stressed and not have much of an appetite (Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan) but if you get a stomach ache from thinking about it then that is Shu Gan Wan. I hope this helps and is not too confusing.

Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan= stomach bloating issues, stress etc…

Shu Gan Wan= painful stomach and stomach bloating issues, stress etc…

So I thank the person who wrote in!

Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan

Chai Hu – 柴胡- Radix Bupleuri
Xiang Fu – 香附- Cyperi rhizome
Zhi Ke – 枳壳 – Frutus Aurantii
Chen Pi – 陈皮 -Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae
Chuan Xiong – 川芎 – Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong
Bai Shao-白芍- Radix Paeoniae Alba
Gan Cao-甘草- Radix Glycyrrhizae