It is a detoxifying agent, with the effects of opening the body and allowing heat to disperse, regulating the liver, and relieving the stomach. It is used to treat external contraction diseases, invasion of pathogenic factors into the Shaoyang meridian (channel through which the bodies energy flows), with symptoms such as alternating chills and fever, fullness and discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium (the upper side regions of the abdomen, just below the lowest ribs), loss of appetite, upset stomach with a tendency to vomit, and bitter taste in the mouth and dry throat.  It is also used to treat anorexia and chronic hepatitis B in children.

功用：为和解剂，具有解表散热，疏肝和胃之功效。主治外感病，邪犯少阳证，症见寒热往来、胸胁苦满、食欲不振、心烦喜呕、口苦咽干。此外，小柴胡汤还用于治疗小儿厌食症，慢性乙肝。