---
title: "Chi Shao"
url: "https://books.drcassone.com/21/traditional-medicines-of-east-asia/437/chi-shao"
---

 ![chi shao, paeoniae radix rubra.jpg](/u/chi-shao-paeoniae-radix-rubra-SXH5av.jpg) 

# Chi Shao

### Paeoniae Radix rubra

_sour, bitter, slightly cold_

#### PRIMARY FUNCTION:

_**Circulate Blood**_

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
- Menstrual disorders
 - Dysmenorrhea
 - Amenorrhea
 - Abdominal pain
 - Masses
- Skin disorders
 - Trauma
 - Abscesses
 - Boils
 - Maculae
- Fever
- Purple tongue
- Bleeding disorders

Chi Shao is sour, bitter, and slightly cold. It enters the liver and
spleen systems. The slightly cold property combined with its
bitterness allow Chi Shao to drain out heat while it moves the
blood. This makes it especially useful for blood stagnation
patterns, including many gynecological disorders that are due to
patterns involving heat.

**Channels:** liver, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL
POSSIBILITIES:
- Irregular menstruation
 - Dysmenorrhea
- Antitumor
- Breast abscess
- Rash
- Red painful eyes
- Appendicitis
- Fever
- Hypertension
 - Vasodilation
- Muscle pain
- Antimicrobial

**Formulas:**
- Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang
- Chai Hu Qing Gan Tang
- Qi Zhen San
- Qing Wen Bai Du Yin
- Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang
- Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang
- Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin
- Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
- Yan Huo Suo Tang

**Contraindications:** Chi Shao should be prescribed with
caution to patients that present with cold from deficiency of yang
patterns

**Zoo Image:** a road runner goalie carrying a GYN soccer ball stuck in its
abdomen has a fever, purple tongue, and is on hot blood

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