Chinese: 香薷散
Pinyin: Xiāng Rú Sàn
Other names: Mosla Powder
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and resolve Exterior
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Encephalitis BEnteric choleraAcute tonsilitis and two other conditions
- Releases the Exterior
- Scatters Cold
- Transforms Dampness
- Harmonizes the Middle Burner
Contraindications: The use of this formula in those with summerheat, other than Yin summerheat,... 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. see more
Source date: 1107 AD
Source book: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
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.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the three ingredients in Xiang Ru San, we review the patterns and conditions that Xiang Ru San helps treat.
The three ingredients in Xiang Ru San
Xiang Ru is a king ingredient in Xiang Ru San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Vietnamese Balm (Xiang Ru)
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.
Bai Bian Dou is a deputy ingredient in Xiang Ru San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Hyacinth Beans (Bai Bian Dou)
Part used: Dried ripe seeds
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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.
Hou Pu is an assistant ingredient in Xiang Ru San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
3. Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu)
Part used: Dried stem bark, root bark or branch bark
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: LungSpleenStomach
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
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.
Conditions and patterns for which Xiang Ru San may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Xiang Ru San is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Acute gastroenteritis Bacillary dysentery Encephalitis B Enteric cholera Acute tonsilitis
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Xiang Ru San treats acute gastroenteritis" for instance. Rather, Xiang Ru San is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind acute gastroenteritis.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Xiang Ru San.
'Heat' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Heat pattern in Chinese Medicine
Summer Heat with Dampness
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Soggy (Ru)
Symptoms: Fever Thirst Anxiety Sweating Headaches Lassitude Loose stools Poor appetite Sticky stools Chest fullness Aversion to cold Scanty urination Nausea or vomiting Shortness of breath Feeling of heaviness Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Xiang Ru San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Summer Heat with Dampness. This pattern leads to symptoms such as fever, aversion to cold, sweating and headaches. Patients with Summer Heat with Dampness typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or soggy (Ru) pulses.
This pattern often happens during hot summer and in very humid environment. Therefore, the condition is mostly acute.
The combination of Summer Heat and Dampness can att
read more about Summer Heat with Dampness
The Interior in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Interior in Chinese Medicine
Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Flaccid
Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Headaches No sweating Abdominal pain Fatigued extremities Heavy sensation in the head Chills with skin that is warm to the touch Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Xiang Ru San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer. This pattern leads to symptoms such as chills with skin that is warm to the touch, no sweating, heavy sensation in the head and headaches. Patients with Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer typically exhibit floating (Fu) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
This pattern is characterized by a unique interplay of symptoms due to simultaneous exposure to cool breezes and overconsumption of cold foods or drinks during summer.
This results in a heavy, painful head, chills accompanied by a warm skin sensation, abdominal pain, and a stifling chest sensation.... read more about Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer
Formulas similar to Xiang Ru San
Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin is 50% similar to Xiang Ru San
Xiao Cheng Qi Tang is 33% similar to Xiang Ru San
Da Cheng Qi Tang is 25% similar to Xiang Ru San
Ping Wei San is 25% similar to Xiang Ru San
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang is 20% similar to Xiang Ru San
Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang is 14% similar to Xiang Ru San