Formula Formulas that stabilize Exterior and stop sweating

Mu Li San

牡蛎散

Also known as:

Oyster Shell Powder

Formula Composition

Mu Li ke
Mu Li ke
Huang Qi
Huang Qi
Ma Huang Gen
Ma Huang Gen
Fu Xiao Mai
Fu Xiao Mai
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Inhibits sweating
  2. Stabilizes the exterior

Patterns Treated

Yin Deficiency

Historical Origin

Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era (1107 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Mu Li San

Main Actions

Inhibits sweating
Stabilizes the exterior

Key TCM Concepts

Mu Li San is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Oyster Shells (Mu Li ke) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that stabilize Exterior and stop sweating. Its main actions are: 1) inhibits sweating and 2) stabilizes the exterior.

 

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 Mu Li San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as excessive sweating, postpartum excessive sweating or post-surgery excessive sweating for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Yin Deficiency

Common Applications

Excessive sweating Postpartum excessive sweating Post-surgery excessive sweating Pulmonary tuberculosis Autonomic dystonia

Ingredients in Mu Li San

Detailed information about each herb in Mu Li San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Mu Li ke
Mu Li ke

Oyster shells

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Gallbladder, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The shell
Role in Mu Li San
Mu Li ke salty and slightly cooling. It restrains the Yin, anchors the floating Yang, inhibits sweating, and relieves irritability. The combination of the key and deputy herbs, one of which benefits the Nutritive level and the other the Protective level, is especially effective in treating this condition.
View herb details
Huang Qi
Huang Qi

Milkvetch roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Mu Li San
Huang Qi strongly tonifies the Lung Qi and is of particular benefit to the superficial Protective Qi. It strengthens the Protective Qi and stabilizes the Exterior by stopping sweating. The combination of the key and deputy herbs, one of which benefits the Nutritive level and the other the Protective level, is especially effective in treating this condition. The deputy is also very helpful in treating the symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency, including shortness of breath and general debility.
View herb details
Ma Huang Gen
Ma Huang Gen

Ephedra root

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Mu Li San
Ma Huang Gen assists the key ingredient in augmenting the Heart Qi, restraining sweating, and stabilizing the Exterior. Its nature is to move to the Exterior of the body, but its action is to descend the Qi. It thereby complements the action of Oyster shells, which anchors the Yang, while focusing thetonifying actions of Milkvetch root on the Exterior.
View herb details
Fu Xiao Mai
Fu Xiao Mai

Light wheats

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart
Parts Used The dried fruits
Role in Mu Li San
Fu Xiao Mai sweet, salty, and slightly cooling. It mildly nourishes theHeart Qi and clears Stagnant Heat by venting it to thesurface, thereby removing one of the causes of sweating inthis pattern. When this is accomplished, the True Qi will be restored, the sweating will cease, and the symptoms of Heart Qi distress will abate.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Mu Li San

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

Contraindications

Not suitable for treating the profuse, oily sweat associated with exhaustion of the Yin or Yang.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Mu Li 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.