Formula Formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency

Zai Zao San

再造散

Also known as:

Renewal Powder

Formula Composition

Huang Qi
Huang Qi
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Xi Xin
Xi Xin
Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Da Zao
Da Zao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonfies the Yang
  2. Augments the Qi
  3. Induces sweating
  4. Releases the Exterior

Patterns Treated

Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency

Historical Origin

Six Texts on Cold Damage (1445 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Zai Zao San

Main Actions

Tonfies the Yang
Augments the Qi
Induces sweating
Releases the Exterior

Key TCM Concepts

Zai Zao San is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) and Ginseng (Ren Shen) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1445 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency. Its main actions are: 1) tonfies the Yang and 2) augments the Qi.

 

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 Zai Zao San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as rheumatic fever or common cold for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency

Common Applications

Rheumatic fever Common cold

Ingredients in Zai Zao San

Detailed information about each herb in Zai Zao San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Huang Qi
Huang Qi

Milkvetch roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Zai Zao San
Huang Qi tonifies the original Qi and stabilizes Exterior. Together with Ginseng, they supply Yang force to drive out Pernicous influences and keep Exterior-releasing herbs from causing Yang Collapse.
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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 Zai Zao San
Ren Shen tonifies the original Qi and stabilizes Exterior. Together with Milkvetch root, they supply Yang force to drive out Pernicous influences and keep Exterior-releasing herbs from causing Yang Collapse.
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Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi

Prepared aconite

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Spleen
Parts Used Processed daughter root
Role in Zai Zao San
Zhi Fu Zi releases the Exterior by dispersing Cold and activating the Yang along with Cinnamon twigs and Wild ginger.
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Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Zai Zao San
Gui Zhi releases the Exterior by scattering Cold and activating the Yang along with Prepared aconite and Wild ginger.
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Xi Xin
Xi Xin

Wild ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Zai Zao San
Xi Xin releases the Exterior by scattering Cold and activating the Yang along with Prepared aconite and Cinnamon twigs.
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Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo

Notopterygium roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried rhizome and root
Role in Zai Zao San
Qiang Huo strengthens the Exterior-releasing and Cold-Dispersing actions of the Formula along with Szechuan lovage root, and Saposhnikovia roots.
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Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Zai Zao San
Chuan Xiong strengthens the Exterior-releasing and Cold-Dispersing of the Formula along with Notopterygium Root, and Saposhnikovia Roots.
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Fang Feng
Fang Feng

Saposhnikovia roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Zai Zao San
Fang Feng strengthens the Exterior-releasing and Cold-Dispersing of the formula along with Szechuan lovage root, and Notopterygium Root.
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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 Zai Zao 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 Zai Zao San, it is used because it makes the Sweat-inducing actions of the other ingredients better.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Zai Zao San
Bai Shao regulates the protective and nutritive Qi, similar to its use in Gui Zhi Tang. It moderates the warm and dryingproperties of the other herbs without interfering their ability to induce sweating.
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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 Zai Zao San
Sheng Jiang nourishes and revives the Spleen and Stomach Qi. It also regulates the nutritive and protective Qi along with jujube dates.
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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 Zai Zao San
Da Zao nourishes and revives the Spleen and Stomach Qi. It also regulates the nutritive and protective Qi along with Fresh ginger.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Zai Zao 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, Zai Zao 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.