Formula Formulas that secure Essence and stop enuresis

Sang Piao Xiao San

桑螵蛸散

Also known as:

Mantis Egg-Case Powder

Formula Composition

Sang Piao Shao
Sang Piao Shao
Long Gu
Long Gu
Gui Ban
Gui Ban
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Fu Shen
Fu Shen
Yuan Zhi
Yuan Zhi
Shi Chang Pu
Shi Chang Pu
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys
  2. Stabilizes the Essence
  3. Stops leakage

Patterns Treated

Bladder Deficient and Cold, Kidney and Heart Qi Deficiency

Historical Origin

Extension of the Materia Medica (1116 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Sang Piao Xiao San

Main Actions

Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys
Stabilizes the Essence
Stops leakage

Key TCM Concepts

Sang Piao Xiao San is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Praying Mantis Egg-Cases (Sang Piao Shao) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1116 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that secure Essence and stop enuresis. Its main actions are: 1) regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys and 2) stabilizes the Essence.

 

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 Sang Piao Xiao San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Bladder Deficient and Cold or Kidney and Heart Qi Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as pediatric enuresis, diabetes or neurosis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Bladder Deficient and Cold
  • Kidney and Heart Qi Deficiency

Common Applications

Pediatric enuresis Diabetes Neurosis Uterine prolapse Autonomic dystonia Enuresis Nocturia Bedwetting in children Neurasthenia

Ingredients in Sang Piao Xiao San

Detailed information about each herb in Sang Piao Xiao San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Sang Piao Shao
Sang Piao Shao

Praying Mantis Egg-Cases

Temperature Neutral
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried egg capsule
Role in Sang Piao Xiao San
Sang Piao Shao tonifies the Kidneys and Gate of Vitality, stabilizes the Essence, and stops leakage. It attacks both the root and branch of the pattern treated by this formula and is a specific medicinal for both enuresis in children and cloudy urine.
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Long Gu
Long Gu

Dragon bones

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The fossilized bone or vertebrae
Role in Sang Piao Xiao San
Long Gu helps the key ingredient (Mantis Egg-case) in binding up the Essence, calms the Mind, and steadies the Will.
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Gui Ban
Gui Ban

Tortoise plastrons

Temperature Cool
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Carapace and plastron
Role in Sang Piao Xiao San
In general Gui Ban's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes the Yin and holds down the Yang. Strengthens the Kidneys and strengthens the bones. Cools the Blood, stops uterine bleeding. Nourishes the Heart. Promotes Healing."

In the context of Sang Piao Xiao San, it is used because it enriches the Yin, subdues the Yang, and tonifies the Kidneys.
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Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Sang Piao Xiao San
Ren Shen strongly tonifies the source Qi. Strong source Qi is a prerequisite for a healthy mind. It also tonifies the Heart.
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Fu Shen
Fu Shen

Host-wood Poria

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart
Parts Used The part of the mushroom that is attached to the host-wood, dried
Role in Sang Piao Xiao San
Fu Shen works together with Yuan Zhi (Chinese senega root) and Shi Chang Pu (Sweetflag rhizome) to calm the Spirit (Shen) and steady the Will. It also facilitates communication between the Heart Qi and the Kidneys.
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Yuan Zhi
Yuan Zhi

Chinese senega roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used The dried root
Role in Sang Piao Xiao San
In general Yuan Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Calms the spirit. Expels Phlegm from the Heart orifices. Expels Phlegm from the Lungs. Diminishes abscesses."
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Shi Chang Pu
Shi Chang Pu

Sweetflag rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Stomach, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Sang Piao Xiao San
In general Shi Chang Pu's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Orifices, awakens the Mind (Shen) and expels Wind-Damp Phlegm. Harmonizes the Earth element and dispels Damp. Applied internally or externally for Wind-Cold-Damp painful obstruction."
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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Sang Piao Xiao San
Dang Gui nourishes the Blood and Yin. Together with the other ingredients in this formula, it regulates and tonifies the Qi and Blood, which is essential for revitalization to occur.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Sang Piao Xiao 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 frequent urination associated with inflammation and with burning sensation.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Sang Piao Xiao 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.