Chinese: 丹栀逍遥散
Pinyin: Dān Zhī Xiāo Yáo Sàn
Other names: Moutan-Gardenia Free and Easy Wanderer Powder, Mudan and Cape jasmine fruit Easy Wanderer Powder
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Liver-Heat
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Menopausal syndromeSpontaneous flow of breast milk
Main actions: Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi
Source date: 2002 AD
Source book: Study of formulas (方剂学)
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 2002 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Liver-Heat. Its main action is that it clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire or Kidney Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as spontaneous flow of breast milk or menopausal syndrome for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eight ingredients in Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, we review the patterns and conditions that Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San helps treat.
The eight ingredients in Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Mu Dan Pi is a king ingredient in Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi)
Part used: Root barks
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Mu Dan Pi's main actions are as follows: "Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis."
In the context of Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, it is used because it clears Heat.
2. Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLungSanjiao
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
In general Zhi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory."
In the context of Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, it is used because it clears Heat.
3. Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu)
Chai Hu spreads the Liver Qi, relieves Stagnation and helps guide the other herbs into the Liver. Because of its cooling nature, it is also particularly dealing with Qi Stagnation that has started to generate Heat.
4. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Dang Gui works together with White peony roots (Bai Shao), the other deputy in this formula, to nourish Blood. This nourishing role also in turn helps strengthen the Liver since it stores Blood and is nourished by it.
5. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
In the context of Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, it is used because it moves Qi and is specific for menstrual issues, especially from emotional stress.
6. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."
In the context of Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, it is used because it moves Qi and is specific for menstrual issues, especially from emotional stress.
7. Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Bai Zhu works together with Poria mushrooms (Fu Ling) to strengthen the Spleen, which rules transformation and transportation. It has a direct positive impact on Blood Deficiency.
8. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao tonifies the Spleen and, when combined with White peony roots, helps reduce the spasms that are often a symptoms for patients that adopt this formula.
Conditions and patterns for which Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Spontaneous flow of breast milk Menopausal syndrome
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San treats spontaneous flow of breast milk" for instance. Rather, Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind spontaneous flow of breast milk.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
Symptoms: Anger Thirst Red face Red eyes Red lips Insomnia Moodiness Dizziness Headaches Melancholy Depression Dry stools Dense milk Irritability Constipation Heavy periods Abdominal pain Feeling of heat Menstrual cramps Breast distention Outbursts of anger Sore and weak limbs Premenstrual tension Dark menstrual blood Epigastric distension Scanty and dark urine Irregular menstruation Hypochondrial distention Bitter taste in the mouth Feeling of lump in the throat Premenstrual breast distension Feeling of oppression of the chest Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire. This pattern leads to symptoms such as hypochondrial distention, epigastric distension, feeling of oppression of the chest and irritability. Patients with Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Red on the sides .
This pattern develops from Liver Qi Stagnation, which creates excessive amount of Heat and then turn into Liver Heat. It manifests with a feeling of heat, a red face and desire to drink.
From a mental emotional perspective, patients tend to be irritable, anxious, moody and prone to outbursts of... read more about Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Cracked
Symptoms: Anxiety Vertigo Itching Sweating Tinnitus Insomnia Dry hair Dry skin Back pain Tiredness Lassitude Dizziness Bone ache Sore back Dry mouth Depression Sore knees Weak knees Dry throat Dry tongue Dry stools Limbs pain Infertility Malar flush Poor memory Constipation Night sweats Little sperm Irritability Restlnessness Five palm heat Scanty periods Blurred vision Lower back pain Evening anxiety Weak lower back Feeling of heat Poor constitution Diminished hearing Nocturnal emissions Hot palms and soles Scanty dark urination Premature ejaculation Menopausal hot flushes Excessive sexual desire White vaginal discharge Dry mouth and throat at night Feeling of heat in the evening Low-grade fever in the afternoon Thirst with desire to drink in small sips
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as sweating, back pain, diminished hearing and dry mouth and throat at night. Patients with Kidney Yin Deficiency typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as Red tongue without coating, cracked in severe cases.
This pattern often accompanies Kidney Essence Deficiency, as Kidney Yin includes Essence. When both element are depleted in the Kidneys, not enough Marrow is generated to fill the Brain, thus the symptoms of dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo and poor memory. The dizziness is mild and the tinnitus is... read more about Kidney Yin Deficiency
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