Formula Formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind

Cang Er Zi San

苍耳子散

Also known as:

Xanthium Powder

Formula Composition

Cang Er Zi
Cang Er Zi
Xin Yi Hua
Xin Yi Hua
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi
Bo He
Bo He
Cong Bai
Cong Bai
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistant
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Disperses Wind
  2. Relieves pain
  3. Unblocks the nose

Patterns Treated

Damp-Wind

Historical Origin

Formulas to Aid the Living (1253)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Cang Er Zi San

Main Actions

Disperses Wind
Relieves pain
Unblocks the nose

Key TCM Concepts

Cang Er Zi San is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cocklebur Fruits (Cang Er Zi ) and Biond’S Magnolia Flowers (Xin Yi Hua) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1253, it belongs to the category of formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind. Its main actions are: 1) disperses Wind and 2) relieves pain.

 

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 Cang Er Zi San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Damp-Wind. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as acute sinusitis, chronic sinusitis or chronic rhinitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Damp-Wind

Common Applications

Acute sinusitis Chronic sinusitis Chronic rhinitis Allergic rhinitis Acute rhinitis Rhinitis Sinusitis

Ingredients in Cang Er Zi San

Detailed information about each herb in Cang Er Zi San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Cang Er Zi
Cang Er Zi

Cocklebur fruits

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Fruits
Role in Cang Er Zi San
Cang Er Zi is acrid and warm. It unblocks thenasal passages, and are frequently used in treating profuse nasal discharge.
View herb details
Xin Yi Hua
Xin Yi Hua

Biond’s magnolia flowers

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried flower bud
Role in Cang Er Zi San
Xin Yi Hua is acrid and warm. It unblocks thenasal passages, and are frequently used in treating profuse nasal discharge.
View herb details
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi

Angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Cang Er Zi San
Bai Zhi is acrid, warming, and aromatic. It releases the Exterior and opens up the orifices, disperses Wind-Damp, andpromotes the discharge of pus.
View herb details
Bo He
Bo He

Wild mint

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Cang Er Zi San
In general Bo He's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind-Heat. Clears Wind-Heat from the head, eyes and throat. Allows the release of toxins from the skin. Moves Stagnant Liver Qi"

In the context of Cang Er Zi San, it is used because it is acrid and cooling. It releases Wind-Heat from the Exterior and clears the eyes and head.
View herb details
Cong Bai
Cong Bai

Scallions

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Bulb
Role in Cang Er Zi San
In general Cong Bai's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind-Cold through sweating. Vitalizes the Yang Qi and disperses Cold. Removes toxicity of swellings."

In the context of Cang Er Zi San, it is used because it guides the light nature of the other herbs to the head.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Cang Er Zi San

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Contraindicated for patients with headache due to Blood Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Cang Er Zi San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.