An Zhong San
Star安中散 (Calm the Middle Powder)
Source: Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang — Imperial Medical Department (1078)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
An Zhong San (Calm the Middle Powder), from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era) by Imperial Medical Department.
Actions: Warms the Spleen and Stomach to disperse cold; Harmonizes the middle jiao to stop nausea; Regulates qi and blood circulation to relieve pain.
Presentation: Deficiency and cold of the Spleen and Stomach with qi and blood stagnation: cramps and pain in the epigastric region, fullness and distention of the chest and hypochondriac region, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, a sallow facial appearance, and fatigue.
Composition: A variant formula uses Sha Ren in place of Gan Jiang.
Cautions:
- Not recommended for chest or abdominal pain caused by inflammation
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Gastrointestinal: powder or decoction decreased gastric acid and raised gastric pH
- Cholagogic: alcohol extract 500 mg/kg in rats markedly increased bile acid secretion (onset 30 min, about 4 h duration)
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 484.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gan Cao
printed dose 30g (no single modern dose); as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae, chao (dry-fried)) 30g
|
g | — | large dose tonifies the Spleen and moderates pain | |
|
Gao Liang Jiang
printed dose 15g (no single modern dose); as printed: Gao Liang Jiang (Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum, chao (dry-fried)) 15g
|
g | — | warms the middle and dispels cold | |
|
Gan Jiang
printed dose 15g (no single modern dose); as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis, pao (blast-fried)) 15g
|
g | — | warms the middle and dispels cold | |
|
Rou Gui
printed dose 15g (no single modern dose); as printed: Rou Gui (Cortex Cinnamomi) 15g
|
g | — | warms the middle and dispels cold | |
|
Xiao Hui Xiang
printed dose 15g (no single modern dose); as printed: Xiao Hui Xiang (Fructus Foeniculi, chao (dry-fried)) 15g
|
g | — | regulates qi and blood circulation to relieve pain | |
|
Yan Hu Suo
printed dose 15g (no single modern dose); as printed: Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis) 15g
|
g | — | regulates qi and blood circulation to relieve pain | |
|
Mu Li
printed dose 12g (no single modern dose); as printed: Mu Li (Concha Ostreae, duan (calcined)) 12g
|
g | — | relieves stomach pain from excess stomach acid |
Preparation
Source: grind to powder, take 6g with warm grain liquor or lightly salted water (women: water with a little vinegar). Today as powder 1-2g per dose 2-3 times daily, or as decoction taken warm in two doses daily.
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Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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