Da Xian Xiong Wan
Star大陷胸丸 (Major Sinking into the Chest Pill)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Da Xian Xiong Wan (Major Sinking into the Chest Pill), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing — a variation of Da Xian Xiong Tang.
Presentation: Jie xiong (stagnant chest) with heat and water accumulated in the chest only: fullness, hardness and pain in the chest, neck stiffness.
Composition: Pills taken with a decoction of powdered Gan Sui 1 spoonful [1g] and Feng Mi 0.2 cup [40 mL]; modern preparation mixes the powder with Gan Sui 30g and Feng Mi 250g.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 163.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Da Huang
as printed: Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 240g
|
240g | 31.33% | — | |
|
Ting Li Zi
ao (simmered); as printed: Ting Li Zi (Semen Descurainiae seu Lepidii) 0.5 cup [175g]
|
175g | 22.85% | Clears Lung heat, regulates Lung qi and moves water downward | |
|
Mang Xiao
as printed: Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) 0.5 cup [175g]
|
175g | 22.85% | Dose reduced relative to the decoction since there is no abdominal pain or fullness | |
|
Xing Ren
ao (simmered) to black; as printed: Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) 0.5 cup [175g]
|
175g | 22.85% | Clears Lung heat, regulates Lung qi and moves water downward | |
|
Gan Sui
printed in the preparation text, powdered and cooked with honey; as printed: Gan Sui (Radix Kansui) 1 spoonful [1g]
|
1g | 0.13% | — | |
|
Feng Mi
printed in the preparation text; as printed: Feng Mi (Mel) 0.2 cup [40 mL]
|
40ml | 100% | — |
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 cool (-1.31)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 77%, warm 23%.
Small but decisive: Gan Sui 1g (cold, 0% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 11%
- sweet 0%
- bitter 77%
- salty 11%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 100%
- Stomach 54%
- Lung 46%
- Spleen 31%
- Pericardium 31%
- Liver 31%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Feng Mi.
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
Source: powder Da Huang and Ting Li Zi, add Mang Xiao and Ku Xing Ren, grind and form bullet-sized pills; cook 1 spoonful powdered Gan Sui with 0.2 cup Feng Mi in 2 cups water down to 1 cup; take 1 pill with that liquid, repeating until bowel movement within the night. Modern: powder herbs at bracketed doses, mix with 30g Gan Sui powder and 250g honey into pills; take 5-10g per dose with warm water.
Relationships
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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.
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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