Can Shi Tang
Star蚕矢汤 (Silkworm Droppings Decoction)
Source: Huo Luan Lun — Wan Shi-Xiong (Qing, 1862)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Can Shi Tang (Silkworm Droppings Decoction), from the Huo Luan Lun (Discussion of Sudden Turmoil Disorders) by Wan Shi-Xiong.
Actions: Clears heat and resolves dampness; Separates the clear (pure nutrients) from the turbid.
Presentation: Spasms and cramps in sudden turmoil disorder from damp-heat: abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, thirst, irritability, restlessness, yellow thick dry tongue coating, soggy rapid pulse.
Cautions:
- Not for cold-type sudden turmoil disorder.
- Replace fluids and electrolytes with severe vomiting/diarrhea.
- With nausea and vomiting, give at room temperature.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1101.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Can Sha
as printed: Can Sha (Faeces Bombycis) 15g
|
15g | 20.86% | Jun (Chief) | leads turbidity down and raises pure nutrients; with Mu Gua relieves spasms and cramps |
|
Mu Gua
as printed: Mu Gua (Fructus Chaenomelis) 9g
|
9g | 12.52% | Chen (Deputy) | dissolves dampness, harmonizes middle jiao, relieves cramps |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae, chao (dry-fried) with liquor) 3g
|
3g | 4.17% | Zuo (Assistant) | clears heat and dries dampness |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis, chao (dry-fried) with ginger juice) 9g
|
9g | 12.52% | Zuo (Assistant) | clears heat and dries dampness |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae, zhi (prepared)) 3g
|
3g | 4.17% | Zuo (Assistant) | dries dampness, corrects reversed Stomach qi to stop vomiting |
|
Wu Zhu Yu
as printed: Wu Zhu Yu (Fructus Evodiae, pao (blast-fried)) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 1.25% | Zuo (Assistant) | guides downward; assists Ban Xia and Huang Lian to stop vomiting |
|
Da Dou (Huang) Juan
as printed: Da Dou Huang Juan (Semen Glycines Germinatum) 12g
|
12g | 16.69% | dissolves dampness and raises pure nutrients | |
|
Yi Yi Ren
as printed: Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis) 12g
|
12g | 16.69% | dispels dampness and expels turbidity via urination | |
|
Zhi Zi
as printed: Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae, chao jiao (dry-fried till burnt)) 5g
|
5g | 6.95% | clears heat and dries dampness | |
|
Tong Cao
as printed: Tong Cao (Medulla Tetrapanacis) 3g
|
3g | 4.17% | dispels turbidity via urination |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
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 slightly cool (-0.28)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 24%, cool 21%, neutral 17%, warm 38%, hot 1%.
Pairs warm and cool. 39% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 45% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Huang Qin 3g (cold, 4% of the grams), Zhi Zi 5g (cold, 7% of the grams), Wu Zhu Yu 0.9g (hot, 1% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 15%
- sweet 38%
- sour 13%
- bitter 24%
- bland 10%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 89%
- Stomach 81%
- Liver 47%
- Lung 36%
- Large intestine 33%
- Heart 24%
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
Cook with 'muddy water' (well water with a little soil) or 'yin yang water' (cold well water mixed with boiled water); sip after it cools slightly. Today normally decocted.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Zuo Jin Wan + Can Sha, Mu Gua, Ban Xia, Huang Qin, Da Dou (Huang) Juan, Tong Cao, Yi Yi Ren and Zhi Zi
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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