Chinese: 紫雪丹
Pinyin: Zǐ Xuě Dān
Other names: Purple Snow Special Pill
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: MeaslesEpilepsyFuruncles and eight other conditions
- Clears Heat
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Controls spasms and convulsions
- Extinguishes Wind
Contraindications: Contraindicated during pregnancy and used with caution in the weak and... Contraindicated during pregnancy and used with caution in the weak and debilitated. The use of this formula should be discontinued as soon as the symptoms of impaired consciousness improve. Overuse of the formula can easily injure the Original Qi and exhaust the Yin, which, in severe cases may lead to marked sweating, nausea and vomiting, cold extremities, a frozen affect, dyspnea, palpitations, dizziness, and vertigo. While taking this formula, spicy, rich, or greasy foods should be avoided. see more
Source date: 752 AD
Source book: Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library
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.
Zi Xue Dan is a 17-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), Saiga Antelope's Horns (Ling Yang Jiao) and Musk (She Xiang) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 752 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices. Its main actions are: 1) clears Heat and 2) opens the sensory orifices.
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 Zi Xue Dan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Fire blazing, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire or Pericardium Fire. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as acute encephalitis, acute meningitis or severe pneumonia for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seventeen ingredients in Zi Xue Dan, we review the patterns and conditions that Zi Xue Dan helps treat.
The seventeen ingredients in Zi Xue Dan
Shui Niu Jiao is a king ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao)
Part used: The horn, as a powder or as thin scrapes
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: StomachHeartLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
Shui Niu Jiao is cool and aromatic. It is ascending and dispersing in nature. It enters the Nutritive and Blood Levels, and clearing Fire and Heat from the Heart and Liver Channels. It clears Heat from the Nutritive Level, cools the Blood, and resolves Toxicity. Because of its active nature, it can be cold without retarding movement, making it useful
for venting Heat through the collaterals of the Pericardium. The combination of Saiga antelope's horns and Water buffalo horn treats the Heat in the Heart and Liver Channels and effectively resolve the spasms, convulsions, and impaired consciousness. Rhinoceros horn is used in the formula in the past, which is forbitten nowadays. Thus it is replaced by Water buffalo horn.
Ling Yang Jiao is a king ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Saiga Antelope's Horns (Ling Yang Jiao)
Part used: The horn
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Salty
Category: Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
Ling Yang Jiao is particularly useful for draining Liver Fire and is an important substance for extinguishing Liver Wind. The combination of Saiga antelope's horns and Water buffalo horn treats the Heat in the Heart and Liver Channels and effectively resolve the spasms, convulsions, and impaired consciousness.
She Xiang is a king ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
3. Musk (She Xiang)
Part used: Musk gland of the deer
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiver
Category: Herbs that open the Orifices
In general She Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Orifices and awakens the spirit. Moves Blood and reduces inflammation and pain. Moves downward, assisting the delivery of late or stillborn babies."
In the context of Zi Xue Dan, it is used because it opens the orifices of the Heart and restore consciousness.
Shi Gao is a deputy ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Gypsum (Shi Gao)
Part used: The mineral itself
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: LungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Shi Gao clears Fire and Heat from the Qi Level, causing the Heat
to recede and encouraging the generation of Body Fluids. It thereby eliminates irritability and alleviates thirst.
Han Shui Shi is a deputy ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Calcitum (Han Shui Shi)
Part used: The powered mineral
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: HeartKidney
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
In general Han Shui Shi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and drains Fire. Expels Summer-Heat. Cools Hot sores and burns. Reduces edema. "
In the context of Zi Xue Dan, it is used because it clears Heat and drains Fire to eliminate irritability and alleviate thirst.
Hua Shi is a deputy ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
6. Talc (Hua Shi)
Part used: The mineral itself
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderStomach
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Hua Shi's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination. Expels Damp-Heat from the Urinary Bladder. Dispels Summer Heat. Dries Dampness when applied topically."
In the context of Zi Xue Dan, it is used because it conducts Heat downward so that it can be eliminated through the urine.
Xuan Shen is a deputy ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
7. Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: Large intestineLiverStomach
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
Xuan Shen is sweet, bitter, and slightly cold. It conducts Fire downward, enriches the Yin, and cools the Blood.
Sheng Ma is a deputy ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
8. Bugbane Rhizomes (Sheng Ma)
Sheng Ma is sweet, acrid, and slightly cold. It strengthen Ningpo figwort root's ability to clear Heat and resolve Toxicity while also venting the pathogen.
Ci Shi is an assistant ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Magnetite (Ci Shi)
Part used: The mineral power
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Salty
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiverLung
Category: Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit
Ci Shi sedates the Heart and calms the Mind, which strengthens the formula's action in eliminating irritability.
Mu Xiang is an assistant ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
10. Costus Roots (Mu Xiang)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLarge intestineLiverLungSpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Mu Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Stagnation of Qi of the digestion in the Spleen, Stomach and Intestines. Relieves Qi Stagnation of the Liver and Gallbladder. Strengthens the Spleen and is used with tonifying herbs to prevent their potential cloying effects."
In the context of Zi Xue Dan, it is used because it promotes the Qi movement and assist Musk in opening the orifices.
Chen Xiang is an assistant ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
11. Agarwood (Chen Xiang)
Part used: Wood shavings
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomachKidneyLung
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Chen Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Assists in the flow of Qi and relieves pain. Assists the Kidneys in grasping the Qi of the Lungs. Directs the flow of Qi downward and dispels Cold from the Spleen and Stomach."
In the context of Zi Xue Dan, it is used because it promotes the Qi movement and assist Musk in opening the orifices.
Ding Xiang is an assistant ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
12. Cloves (Ding Xiang)
Part used: Dried flower bud
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
In general Ding Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Middle Warmer and directs the Qi downward. Warms the Kidneys and boosts Yang ."
In the context of Zi Xue Dan, it is used because it promotes the Qi movement and assist Musk in opening the orifices.
Zhu Sha is an assistant ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
13. Cinnabar (Zhu Sha)
Part used: The mineral itself
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: Heart
Category: Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit
In general Zhu Sha's main actions are as follows: "Calms the spirit and Heart. Stops convulsions. Clears Heat and toxins."
In the context of Zi Xue Dan, it is used because it , with Magnetite, augments the Yin to reestablish communication between the Heart and Kidneys.
Mang Xiao is an assistant ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
14. Mirabilites (Mang Xiao)
Part used: The rock crushed as a powder
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: StomachLarge intestine
Category: Purgative herbs that drain downward
In general Mang Xiao's main actions are as follows: "Purges Stagnation in the Intestines caused by Heat and Dryness, Cools Heat and abates swelling"
In the context of Zi Xue Dan, it is used because it drains Heat and dissipate clumps, especially when combined with Ningpo figwort root.
Xiao Shi is an assistant ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
15. Niter (Xiao Shi)
Part used: The mineral
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenHeart
Category: Purgative herbs that drain downward
In general Xiao Shi's main actions are as follows: "Promote urination and bowel movement. "
In the context of Zi Xue Dan, it is used because it drains Heat and dissipate clumps, especially when combined with Ningpo figwort root.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
16. 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 helps resolve toxicity, harmonize the Stomach, and protect it from injury by the heavy mineral ingredients.
Jin Bo is an envoy ingredient in Zi Xue Dan. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
17. Gold Leaves (Jin Bo)
In general Jin Bo's main actions are as follows: "Sedates the Heart and calms the Mind. Clears Toxic-Heat. Stop convulsions. "
In the context of Zi Xue Dan, it is used because it sedates the Mind.
Conditions and patterns for which Zi Xue Dan 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 Zi Xue Dan is used by TCM practitioners to treat three 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:
Acute encephalitis Acute meningitis Severe pneumonia Measles Scarlet fever Diphtheria Acute tonsillitis Febrile convulsions Folliculitis Furuncles Epilepsy
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Zi Xue Dan treats acute encephalitis" for instance. Rather, Zi Xue Dan is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind acute encephalitis.
Now let's look at the three patterns commonly treated with Zi Xue Dan.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Fire blazing
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi), Hasty (Cu)
Symptoms: Thirst Anxiety Insomnia Red face Dark Urine Palpitations Mouth ulcers Bloody urine Tongue ulcers Restlnessness Feeling of heat Dream disturbed sleep Bitter taste in the mouth
Zi Xue Dan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart Fire blazing. This pattern leads to symptoms such as palpitations, thirst, mouth ulcers and tongue ulcers. Patients with Heart Fire blazing typically exhibit overflowing (Hong), rapid (Shu), full (Shi) or hasty (Cu) pulses.
Different from Heart Yin Deficiency which is an Empty-Heat pattern, the Heart Fire blazing here is a Full-Heat one. The typical manifestation of Full-Heat are thirst, red face, feeling of heat, red tongue and Rapid Overflowing or Hasty Pulse.
The Heart opens to the tongue, therefore Heart Fire... read more about Heart Fire blazing
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Symptoms: Tremor Thirst Tinnitus Deafness Red face Red eyes Dizziness Epistaxis Dry stools Dark Urine Haemoptysis Irritability Constipation Haematemesis Outbursts of anger Temporal headaches Dream disturbed sleep Bitter taste in the mouth
Zi Xue Dan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire. This pattern leads to symptoms such as tremor, irritability, outbursts of anger and tinnitus. Patients with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses.
Liver Fire may generate Wind when it persists for some years. This phenomenon can be compared to a forest fire that generates strong winds.
Internal Wind is characterized by either movement or lack of movement, such as spasms, tics, tremors, numbness, dizziness, convulsions or paralysis. Which is... read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Pericardium Fire
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi)
Symptoms: Thirst Anxiety Insomnia Red face Chest heat Palpitations Mouth ulcers Rapid breath Tongue ulcers Restlnessness Heavy periods Feeling of heat Mild chest pain Dream disturbed sleep Bitter taste in the mouth Stifling sensation in the chest
Zi Xue Dan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Pericardium Fire. This pattern leads to symptoms such as palpitations, stifling sensation in the chest, bitter taste in the mouth and insomnia. Patients with Pericardium Fire typically exhibit overflowing (Hong), rapid (Shu) or full (Shi) pulses.
The Mind resides in both the Heart and the Pericardium. It can be greatly disturbed by Fire in these two Organs and cause symptoms like insomnia, mental restlessness, agitation, and dream disturbed sleep. Comparing with Pericardium Blood Deficiency, the manifestations of above mental emotion are... read more about Pericardium Fire
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