Formula Formulas that disperse Dryness and moisten

Xing Su San

杏苏散

Also known as:

Apricot Kernel and Perilla Leaf Powder , Apricot Seed and Perilla Formula

Formula Composition

Xing Ren
Xing Ren
Zi Su Ye
Zi Su Ye
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
Qian Hu
Qian Hu
Zhi Ke
Zhi Ke
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Da Zao
Da Zao
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Dry-Cold
  2. Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough
  3. Transforms thin mucus

Patterns Treated

Body Fluids Deficiency, Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire, Dry-Cold, Phlegm, Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs

Historical Origin

Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Xing Su San

Main Actions

Clears Dry-Cold
Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough
Transforms thin mucus

Key TCM Concepts

Xing Su San is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren) and Perilla Leaves (Zi Su Ye) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1798 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that disperse Dryness and moisten. Its main actions are: 1) clears Dry-Cold and 2) disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough.

 

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 Xing Su San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Body Fluids Deficiency, Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire or Dry-Cold. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, bronchitis or emphysema for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Body Fluids Deficiency
  • Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
  • Dry-Cold
  • Phlegm
  • Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs

Common Applications

Common cold Bronchitis Emphysema Upper respiratory tract infections

Ingredients in Xing Su San

Detailed information about each herb in Xing Su San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Xing Ren
Xing Ren

Apricot seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Lungs
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Xing Su San
In general Xing Ren's main actions are as follows: "Stops cough and wheezing caused by either Heat or Cold. Lubricates the Intestines and relieves constipation."

In the context of Xing Su San, it is used because it disseminates the Lung Qi and stops coughing.
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Zi Su Ye
Zi Su Ye

Perilla leaves

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried leaf (or bearing young branches)
Role in Xing Su San
In general Zi Su Ye's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Promotes the circulation of Spleen and Stomach Qi. Calms a restless fetus. Detoxifies seafood poisoning"

In the context of Xing Su San, it is used because it releases the Exterior Cold by promoting moderate sweating.
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Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Xing Su San
In general Jie Geng's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Burner. "

In the context of Xing Su San, it is used because it causes the Lung Qi to descend and stops coughing.
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Qian Hu
Qian Hu

Hogfennel roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Xing Su San
Qian Hu assists the key herbs (Apricot seeds and Perilla Leaves) by directing the Qi downward and releasing the Exterior.
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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 Xing Su San
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 Xing Su San, it is used because it moves the Qi, expands the chest, and stops the coughing by regulating the Qi.
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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 Xing Su San
Chen Pi , together with the 2 other assistants in this formula (Poria-cocos mushrooms and Crow-dipper rhizome), addresses the problem of thin mucus that patients suffer from in the patterns treated by this formula. To do so, the three herbs regulate the Qi of the Middle Burner, which in turn helps transform the Phlegm.
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Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Xing Su San
Sheng Jiang , together with the two other envoys in this formula (Jujube dates and Liquorice), harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and regulate the nutritive and protective Qi.
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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 Xing Su San
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."
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Xing Su San
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."
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Da Zao
Da Zao

Jujube dates

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Xing Su San
In general Da Zao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula."
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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 Xing Su 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."
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Xing Su 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, Xing Su 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.