Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Star丹栀逍遥散 (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder with Moutan and Gardenia)
Source: Jing Yue Quan Shu (Complete Works of Jing-Yue) — Zhang Jiebin (Ming, 1624)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder with Moutan and Gardenia) is Xiao Yao San modified with Mu Dan Pi and Zhi Zi to address the heat that arises when Liver Qi stagnation transforms into fire. It is indicated when Xiao Yao San pattern is accompanied by heat signs: irritability, headache, dry mouth, irregular menstruation with early periods, and potential menorrhagia.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chai Hu | 9g | 13.33% | Jun (Chief) | Spreads Liver qi and relieves constraint |
| Dang Gui | 9g | 13.33% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes and invigorates the blood, regulates menses |
| Bai Shao | 9g | 13.33% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes blood, preserves yin, softens the Liver |
| Mu Dan Pi | 6g | 8.89% | Zuo (Assistant) | Clears heat and cools blood in the Liver channel |
| Zhi Zi | 6g | 8.89% | Zuo (Assistant) | Drains constrained fire and eliminates irritability |
| Bai Zhu | 9g | 13.33% | Zuo (Assistant) | Strengthens the Spleen and augments qi |
| Fu Ling | 9g | 13.33% | Zuo (Assistant) | Strengthens the Spleen and leaches dampness |
| Gan Cao | 4.5g | 6.67% | Shi (Envoy) | Harmonizes the middle burner and the other herbs |
| Bo He | 3g | 4.44% | Shi (Envoy) | Assists Chai Hu in venting constrained Liver heat |
| Sheng Jiang | 3g | 4.44% | Shi (Envoy) | Harmonizes the Stomach |
Total weight: 81g
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.
Clearing constrained fire through the three burners is joined with cooling the blood, so heat arising from liver qi constraint is cleared from both the qi and blood levels.
Added to Xiao Yao San for liver constraint that has transformed into heat: irritability, flushing, early or heavy menses, hot sensations.
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 (-0.27)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 9%, cool 40%, neutral 20%, warm 31%.
Pairs warm and cool. 31% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 49% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Zhi Zi 6g (cold, 9% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 27%
- sweet 27%
- sour 7%
- bitter 33%
- bland 7%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 64%
- Liver 53%
- Heart 51%
- Lung 38%
- Stomach 24%
- Kidney 22%
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
Decoct in water 25 minutes. Take cool or at room temperature for heat signs.
Dosage
Decoction: 1 dose/day. Pills: 6–9g twice daily.
Conditions Addressed
Related Formulas
Relationships
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Formula family
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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