Formula Composition

Xiang Ru

Bai Bian Dou

Hou Pu

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King

Main ingredient

Deputy

Assists main

Assistant

Supports

Formula Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and resolve Exterior

Xiang Ru San

香薷散

Also known as:

Mosla Powder

Formula Properties

Main Actions

Releases the Exterior
Scatters Cold
Transforms Dampness
Harmonizes the Middle Burner

Patterns Treated

Summer Heat with Dampness, Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer

Historical Origin

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

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Xiang Ru San

Main Actions

Releases the Exterior

Scatters Cold

Transforms Dampness

Harmonizes the Middle Burner

Key TCM Concepts

Xiang Ru San is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Vietnamese Balm (Xiang Ru) as a principal ingredient.

Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and resolve Exterior. Its main actions are: 1) releases the Exterior and 2) scatters Cold.

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 Xiang Ru San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Summer Heat with Dampness or Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as acute gastroenteritis, bacillary dysentery or encephalitis b for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

Summer Heat with Dampness
Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer

Common Applications

Acute gastroenteritis Bacillary dysentery Encephalitis B Enteric cholera Acute tonsilitis

Ingredients in Xiang Ru San

Detailed information about each herb in Xiang Ru San and their roles

Kings

Deputies

Assistants

Xiang Ru

Vietnamese balm

Temperature Warm

Taste Pungent

Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach

Parts Used Dried aerial parts

Role in Xiang Ru San

Xiang Ru is warm, acrid, and aromatic. It releases the Exterior, harmonizes the ascending and descending functions of the Spleen, and disperses stagnant Body Fluids by dispelling Cold and Dampness from the Middle Burner.

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Bai Bian Dou

Hyacinth beans

Temperature Warm

Taste Sweet

Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach

Parts Used Dried ripe seeds

Role in Xiang Ru San

Bai Bian Dou assists the key herb by improving the effects of summertime Dampness on the Spleen. It also strengthens the Spleen, primarily by descending the turbid fluids and products of food transformation, as well as ascending the clear fluids.

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Hou Pu

Houpu Magnolia bark

Temperature Warm

Taste Bitter, Pungent

Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach

Parts Used Dried stem bark, root bark or branch bark

Role in Xiang Ru San

In general Hou Pu's main actions are as follows: "Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung."

In the context of Xiang Ru San, it is used because it expels Dampness and disperses fullness.

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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Xiang Ru San

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

Contraindications

The use of this formula in those with summerheat, other than Yin summerheat, will severely injure the Body Fluids and Qi, increase Heat in the body, and significantly aggravate the condition.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Xiang Ru 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.