Formula Formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices

Hui Chun Dan

回春丹

Also known as:

Special Pill to Restore Life

Formula Composition

Niu Huang
Niu Huang
She Xiang
She Xiang
Tian Zhu Huang
Tian Zhu Huang
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu
Dan Nan Xing
Dan Nan Xing
Gou Teng
Gou Teng
Quan Xie
Quan Xie
Tian Ma
Tian Ma
Jiang Can
Jiang Can
Da Huang
Da Huang
Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Bai Dou Kou
Bai Dou Kou
Tan Xiang
Tan Xiang
Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi
Zhi Ke
Zhi Ke
Chen Xiang
Chen Xiang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Opens the sensory orifices
  2. Arrests spasms and convulsions
  3. Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm

Patterns Treated

Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium

Historical Origin

Medicinal Teachings from the Respectfully Decorated Hall (Late 18th century)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Hui Chun Dan

Main Actions

Opens the sensory orifices
Arrests spasms and convulsions
Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm

Key TCM Concepts

Hui Chun Dan is a 19-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ox Gallstones (Niu Huang) and Musk (She Xiang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in Late 18th century, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices. Its main actions are: 1) opens the sensory orifices and 2) arrests spasms and convulsions.

 

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 Hui Chun Dan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as acute encephalitis, acute meningitis or measles for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium

Common Applications

Acute encephalitis Acute meningitis Measles Scarlet fever Diphtheria Septicemia Pediatric seizure disorder Seizure disorder Acute gastroenteritis

Ingredients in Hui Chun Dan

Detailed information about each herb in Hui Chun Dan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Niu Huang
Niu Huang

Ox gallstones

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used Gallstones (hardened deposits of bile that form in the ox's gallbladder)
Role in Hui Chun Dan
Niu Huang is bitter, cool, and aromatic. It enters the Heart and Liver Channels. It clears Heat, resolves toxicity, clears Phlegm, opens the sensory orifices, extinguishes Wind, and controls spasms and convulsions. It thereby addresses all of the major aspects of this disorder.
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She Xiang
She Xiang

Musk

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Musk gland of the deer
Role in Hui Chun Dan
She Xiang is highly aromatic and opens the sensory orifices. This herb is specifically indicated for childhood convulsions and seizures.
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Tian Zhu Huang
Tian Zhu Huang

Tabasheer

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used The dried masses secretion in the stem of bamboo
Role in Hui Chun Dan
In general Tian Zhu Huang's main actions are as follows: "Clears Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs. Clears Heat in the Heart and relieves convulsions and tremors. "

In the context of Hui Chun Dan, it is used because it clears Heat and transforming Phlegm. It also cools the Heart and controls spasms and convulsions.
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Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu

Sichuan Fritillary bulbs

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dried bulb
Role in Hui Chun Dan
In general Chuan Bei Mu's main actions are as follows: "Clears Hot Phlegm and stops cough. Clears Lung Heat caused by Yin Deficiency. Clears Heat and reduces hard lumps and swellings."

In the context of Hui Chun Dan, it is used because it clear Heat and transform Phlegm..
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Dan Nan Xing
Dan Nan Xing

Arisaema with bile

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used The rhizome
Role in Hui Chun Dan
In general Dan Nan Xing's main actions are as follows: "To clear Heat and resolve Phlegm, dispel Wind and stop convulsions"

In the context of Hui Chun Dan, it is used because it clear Heat and transform Phlegm..
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Gou Teng
Gou Teng

Gambir stems and thorns

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried stems and thorns from the branches
Role in Hui Chun Dan
Gou Teng enters both the Liver and Pericardium Channels, and isan important substance for extinguishing Liver wind, clearing Heat, and resolving spasms and convulsions.
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Quan Xie
Quan Xie

Scorpions

Temperature Neutral
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver
Parts Used The whole dried scorpion
Role in Hui Chun Dan
In general Quan Xie's main actions are as follows: "Extinguishes Interior Wind and stops tremors and convulsions. Clears Toxic-Heat and relieves nodules and rashes. Removes Stagnation and relieve pain. "

In the context of Hui Chun Dan, it is used because it extinguishes Wind and controlling spasms and convulsions.
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Tian Ma
Tian Ma

Gastrodia rhizomes

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Hui Chun Dan
Tian Ma extinguishes Wind and controlling spasms and convulsions. It also harmonizes the Stomach, transform Phlegm, direct Rebellious Qi downward, and stop vomiting.
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Jiang Can
Jiang Can

Silkworms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Pungent, Salty
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used the whole worm
Role in Hui Chun Dan
In general Jiang Can's main actions are as follows: "Antispasmodic, subdues Internal Wind. Expels Wind and stops pain. Clears Toxins and dissipates nodules. "

In the context of Hui Chun Dan, it is used because it extinguishes Wind and controlling spasms and convulsions.
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Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Hui Chun Dan
Da Huang clears Heat and drains Fire. Its purgative action removes accumulation and Stagnation, which enables it to eliminate the accumulation of Phlegm-Heat from the Stomach and Intestines.
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Ban Xia
Ban Xia

Crow-dipper rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome and tuber
Role in Hui Chun Dan
In general Ban Xia's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention."

In the context of Hui Chun Dan, it is used because it redirects Rebellious Qi downward and stops the vomiting.
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Zhu Sha
Zhu Sha

Cinnabar

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Hui Chun Dan
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 Hui Chun Dan, it is used because it calms the Heart.
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Chen Pi
Chen Pi

Tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the ripe fruit
Role in Hui Chun Dan
In general Chen Pi's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs."

In the context of Hui Chun Dan, it is used because it harmonizes the Stomach, transform Phlegm, direct Rebellious Qi downward, and stop vomiting.
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Bai Dou Kou
Bai Dou Kou

Cardamon fruits

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Fruits
Role in Hui Chun Dan
Bai Dou Kou promotes the movement of Qi, reduces focal distention, transforms turbid Dampness, and stops vomiting.
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Tan Xiang
Tan Xiang

Sandalwood

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Heart, Lungs
Parts Used The wood
Role in Hui Chun Dan
Tan Xiang moves the Stomach and Intestines Qi, regulating and smoothing the functions of the Stomach and Intestines in order to restore the normal ascending and descending functions of the Spleen and Stomach.
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Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi

Cuscuta seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Hui Chun Dan
Tu Si Zi moves the Stomach and Intestines Qi, regulating and smoothing the functions of the Stomach and Intestines in order to restore the normal ascending and descending functions of the Spleen and Stomach.
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Zhi Ke
Zhi Ke

Bitter oranges

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sour
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Hui Chun Dan
In general Zhi Ke's main actions are as follows: "To regulate the flow of Qi, remove its stagnation, and alleviate distension."

In the context of Hui Chun Dan, it is used because it eases Stagnation in the Middle Burner and reduces distention.
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Chen Xiang
Chen Xiang

Agarwood

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Wood shavings
Role in Hui Chun Dan
Chen Xiang directs Qi downward so that Phlegm will descend. If the flow of Qi is smooth, then the Phlegm can be reduced, which will discourage the further generation ofPhlegm-Heat. Once the Phlegm-Heat is eliminated, the orifices will open and the patient will recover.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Hui Chun Dan
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Hui Chun Dan, it is used because it clears Heat as well as regulates and harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Hui Chun Dan

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated during pregnancy. This formula is used for acute childhood convulsions associated with Excess patterns and is inappropriate for chronic childhood convulsions due to waning of the Spleen and Kidney Yang. If this diagnosis cannot be clearly made in a specific case, it is best not to use the formula.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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