Formula Formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind

Xin Yi San

辛夷散

Also known as:

Magnolia Flower Powder

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Disperses Wind-Cold
  2. Unblocks the nasal passages

Patterns Treated

Wind-Cold invading the Lungs

Historical Origin

Formulas to Aid the Living (1253 AD )

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Xin Yi San

Main Actions

Disperses Wind-Cold
Unblocks the nasal passages

Key TCM Concepts

Xin Yi San is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Biond’S Magnolia Flowers (Xin Yi Hua) and Bugbane Rhizomes (Sheng Ma) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1253 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind. Its main actions are: 1) disperses Wind-Cold and 2) unblocks the nasal passages.

 

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 Xin Yi San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Cold invading the Lungs. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as nasal congestion, allergic rhinitis or sinusitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Cold invading the Lungs

Common Applications

Nasal congestion Allergic rhinitis Sinusitis Nasal polyps Loss of smell Diphtheria Chronic rhinitis Nasopharyngeal tumor Flu Seasonal allergies Common cold

Ingredients in Xin Yi San

Detailed information about each herb in Xin Yi San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
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 Xin Yi San
Xin Yi Hua disperses Wind-Cold, and unblocks the nasal passages. It also relieves headache, neck pain, running nose, and toothache.
Sheng Ma
Sheng Ma

Bugbane rhizomes

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Xin Yi San
Sheng Ma has an ascending nature and directs the effectiveness of other herbs to the head. It also also used to release Toxic-Heat from the skin by cooling the Blood.
Gao Ben
Gao Ben

Chinese lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Lungs
Parts Used Dried rhizome and root
Role in Xin Yi San
Gao Ben disperses Wind-Cold-Dampness and stops pain. It has an ascending nature so has to enter the Bladder Channel on the head to ease headache around the vertex.
Fang Feng
Fang Feng

Saposhnikovia roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Xin Yi San
In general Fang Feng's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Disperses Wind."

In the context of Xin Yi San, it is used because it releases Wind from the Exterior and disperses Cold. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. .
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi

Angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Xin Yi San
Bai Zhi relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind. It disperses Wind and Cold from the Yang Brightness Channels. It also relieves Wind-Damp Cold painful obstruction, dries Dampness and pus and reduces swelling. Finally, it opens the nasal passages.
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Xin Yi San
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."

In the context of Xin Yi San, it is used because it circulates the Blood by removing the Stagnation. It is used to relieve headache and dizziness.
Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Xin Yi San
In general Ze Xie's main actions are as follows: "Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat"

In the context of Xin Yi San, it is used because it removes Damp-Heat by causes urination.
Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo

Notopterygium roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried rhizome and root
Role in Xin Yi San
Qiang Huo relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold and Dampness. It relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. It also directs Qi to the Greater Yang (Tai Yang) channel and the Governing Vessel.
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Xin Yi San
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 Xin Yi San, it is used because it tonifies Qi, moderates all ingredients of the formula and relieves pain.

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Xin Yi San

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

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Xin Yi 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.