Bai Du San
Star败毒散 (Overcome Pathogenic Influences Powder)
Source: Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue — Qian Yi (Song, 1119)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Bai Du San (Overcome Pathogenic Influences Powder), from the Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue (Craft of Medicinal Treatment for Childhood Disease Patterns) by Qian Yi.
Actions: Releases the exterior through diaphoresis; Dispels wind, cold, and dampness; Tonifies qi.
Presentation: Exterior wind, cold and dampness with qi deficiency: aversion to cold, fever, headache, neck stiffness, joint pain, body ache, absence of perspiration, nasal obstruction, cough with sputum, a feeling of distention and fullness in the chest and diaphragm, a pale tongue with a white, greasy tongue coating, and a superficial, soggy or superficial, rapid pulse that is forceless upon pressure.
Cautions:
- Adjust Ren Shen carefully; it should not exceed ten percent of the formula; reduce it for adults without significant qi deficiency (formula was designed for children)
- Warm, acrid formula; contraindicated in exterior wind-heat, interior heat, or yin deficiency with exterior invasion
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 124.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Qiang Huo
as printed: Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | Jun (Chief) | dispels wind, cold and dampness from the whole body |
|
Du Huo
as printed: Du Huo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | Jun (Chief) | dispels wind, cold and dampness from the whole body |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | activates blood to relieve pain; dispels exterior wind-cold | |
|
Zhi Ke
as printed: Zhi Qiao (Fructus Aurantii) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | regulates Lung qi to relieve chest distention and fullness | |
|
Jie Geng
chao (dry-fried); as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | relieves cough and dispels phlegm | |
|
Qian Hu
as printed: Qian Hu (Radix Peucedani) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | relieves cough and dispels phlegm | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | drains dampness and tonifies the middle jiao | |
|
Chai Hu
xi (washed); as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | helps the chief herbs release the exterior | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 15g [5g]
|
5g | 5.81% | harmonizes | |
|
Ren Shen
used in a small amount per explanation; cautions say it should not exceed 10% of the formula; as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | tonifies yuan qi to help expel pathogens, protects the weak body and reduces reinfection |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net neutral (+0.10)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 31%, neutral 27%, warm 42%.
Pairs warm and cool. 42% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 31% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 40%
- sweet 16%
- sour 4%
- bitter 35%
- bland 5%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 58%
- Kidney 42%
- Spleen 37%
- Liver 31%
- Heart 27%
- Pericardium 21%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Grind to powder; cook 6g of powder with Sheng Jiang and Bo He in water. Bracketed doses may be used as a decoction today.
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Formula family
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
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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