Dan Huang Si Ni San
Star丹黄四逆散 (Moutan and Phellodendron Powder for Frigid Extremities)
Source: New Explanations of Medical Formulas (1980)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Dan Huang Si Ni San (Moutan and Phellodendron Powder for Frigid Extremities), from New Explanations of Medical Formulas (1980).
Associated formula of Si Ni San.
Actions: Clears heat; Spreads the Liver qi; Invigorates the blood; Relieves spasmodic pain
Indications: Early-stage appendicitis with right lower quadrant pain, fever, cold hands and feet, and signs similar to the principal formula
Pattern: Heat and stasis with Liver qi constraint in the lower abdomen
Usage: For early-stage appendicitis presenting like a Frigid Extremities Powder pattern.
Category: Formulas that Regulate and Harmonize the Liver and Spleen.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 120.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Bupleuri Radix (chai hu) 12g
|
12g | 20% | — | |
|
Bai Shao
dose printed as 30-75g; as printed: Paeoniae Radix alba (bai shao) 30-75g
|
g | — | — | |
|
Zhi Shi
as printed: Aurantii Fructus immaturus (zhi shi) 12g
|
12g | 20% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Glycyrrhizae Radix (gan cao) 12g
|
12g | 20% | — | |
|
Mu Dan Pi
as printed: Moutan Cortex (mu dan pi) 12g
|
12g | 20% | — | |
|
Huang Bai
as printed: Phellodendri Cortex (huang bai) 12g
|
12g | 20% | — |
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 (-1.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 20%, cool 60%, neutral 20%.
Taste
- pungent 27%
- sweet 20%
- sour 7%
- bitter 47%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 40%
- Stomach 40%
- Spleen 40%
- Heart 40%
- Kidney 40%
- Liver 40%
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: Bai Shao.
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
Dose of bai shao depends on severity of abdominal pain.
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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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