Bu Gan Tang

Bu Gan Tang is a classical tonic formula traditionally used to nourish Liver Blood and Yin in animals showing dryness, tension and irritability associated with underlying deficiency.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver helps nourish the muscles, tendons, peripheral circulation and nervous system. When Liver Blood and Yin become depleted, animals may become tight, reactive, restless or poorly regulated despite lacking strong excess Heat or inflammatory patterns.

Dogs are considered particularly prone to Liver Blood deficiency patterns, often presenting with combinations of tension, irritability, muscle tightness, low-grade itch, twitching, anxiety or behavioural sensitivity alongside relatively dry or undernourished tissues.

As tissues become drier and less nourished, muscles and tendons may lose flexibility and resilience, contributing to tight movement patterns, muscular discomfort or chronic tension-related lameness.

Unlike stronger moving or dispersing formulas, Bu Gan Tang works primarily through nourishment and restoration. By improving Blood, Yin and peripheral circulation, the formula helps tissues and the nervous system become less reactive and more resilient over time.

Clinically, this formula is commonly used in:

• anxiety or behavioural sensitivity
  
• noise sensitivity
  
• mild fear aggression or territorial behaviour
  
• muscle tension or neck tightness
  
• twitching or mild tremors
  
• low-grade itch or dry skin
  
• fine dry dander
  
• weight loss despite maintained appetite
  
• mild weakness associated with poor peripheral nourishment
  
• chronic muscular tightness or tension-related lameness
  

Animals suited to this formula often show:

• dry or tight musculature
  
• tension layered over deficiency
  
• sensitivity or over-reactivity
  
• dry skin or fine dander
  
• mild muscle twitching
  
• poor peripheral circulation
  
• relatively normal digestion despite depletion
  

This formula is generally less appropriate where:

• marked Dampness or congestion predominate
  
• strong inflammatory Heat patterns are present
  
• thick greasy coatings or boggy tissues dominate the presentation.

Prepared rehmannia root,

White peony root,

Dang Gui root,

Sichuan lovage rhizome,

Ophiopogon tuber,

Dry fried sour jujube seed,

Chinese quince fruit,

Chinese licorice root and rhizome.

Dogs up to 5 kg Give ¼ of a teaspoon twice daily

5-10 kg Give ½ a teaspoon twice daily

10-15 kg Give ¾ of a teaspoon twice daily

15-20 kg Give 1 teaspoon twice daily

20-30 kg Give 1 ½ teaspoons twice daily

30-40 kg Give 2 teaspoons twice daily

It is advised to start on a lower dose and work up to the full dose over a week or so to check it is a good fit for your dog. The above dosing guidelines can be adjusted. For animals that have had benefit from the herbs, a lower dose may be required to maintain or wean off the formula. Conversely, animals may be given more frequent or higher doses when the effect is required more quickly and the formula choice is certain.

Ways to get herbs into pets.
Most dogs with a good appetite will simply eat herbal mixtures in their food. If animals have a weak appetite or are otherwise picky with their choices there area few other ways to entice them.
Mix herbs with a small amount of a high value treat – eg mince, sardines, cheese.
Mix herbs into a bone broth and pour over food.
If owners are still having trouble, gelatin food capsules can be bought inexpensively and herbs put into them. Owners then need to give the capsule either directly into the mouth or again, mixed in food.