Xing Su San (Apricot and Perilla Leaf Powder)
- Formulas that Gently Disperse and Moisten Dryness
- Zi Su Ye
- Xing Ren
- Qian Hu
- Jie Geng
- Zhi Ke
- Ban Xia
- Chen Pi
- Fu Ling
- Sheng Jiang
- Da Zao
- Gan Cao
- Zi Su Ye is acrid and warm, but not dry. It releases the muscle layer, opens Lu Qi, expels cool dryness from exterior.
- Xing Ren is bitter, slightly warm and moist. Facillitates Lung Qi, transforms phlegm, and stops coughing.
- Qian Hu expels wind, descends rebellious Qi, transforms phlegm.
- Jie Geng is ascending and helps Xing Ren facilitate Lu Qi.
- Zhi Ke is descending and helps Xing Ren facilitate Lu Qi.
- Ban Xia, Chen Pi, and Fu Ling regulate Qi and transform phlegm.
- Sheng Jiang, Da Zao, and Gan Cao balance Ying and Wei Qi, harmonize formula.
Note: There is no ingredient to really moisten Yin because when attacked by cool dryness, Yin and fluids are not really affected.
Function: Mildly disperses cool dryness, facilitates Lu Qi, transforms phlegm.
Diagnosis: Cool Dryness disorder occurring especially in late autumn.
Indications: Headache, chills, no sweating, coughing with thin sputum, nasal congestion, and dry throat.
Tongue: White coating
Pulse: Wiry (due to wind)
Clinical Applications:
- This is the representative formula used for treating cool dryness disorder. The key symptoms are chills without sweating, coughing with thin sputum, dry throat, white tongue coating, and wiry pulse.
- For patient with severe chills, add Cong Bai and Dou Chi.
- For severe headache, add Fang Feng and Chuan Xiong.
- For cases with scanty sputum, omit Ban Xia and Fu Ling.
- This formula is also used for common cold due to mild wind cold, marked by coughing with phlegm.
- Currently used for chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and emphysema due to cool dryness with phlegm damp stagnation.