Er Miao San
Star二妙散 (Two-Marvel Powder)
Source: Dan Xi Xin Fa — Zhu Zhen-Heng (Ming, 1481)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Er Miao San (Two-Marvel Powder), from the Dan Xi Xin Fa (Teachings of [Zhu] Dan-Xi) by Zhu Zhen-Heng.
Actions: Clears heat and dries dampness.
Presentation: Damp-heat attacking the lower half of the body: aches and pains in the bones and tendons; leg weakness and atrophy; redness, swelling, and pain of the knees with burning sensations; leukorrhea characterized by damp-heat; sores in the lower body characterized by damp-heat; scanty, yellow urine; and a yellow, greasy tongue coating.
Cautions:
- Designed for equal heat and dampness; modify if unequal
- Contraindicated in Liver and Kidney yin deficiency or fluids consumed by Lung heat
- Avoid sweet, fatty, greasy foods
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1188.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huang Bai
chao (dry-fried); as printed: Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis) 15g
|
15g | 50% | Jun (Chief) | travels to lower body; clears heat and dries dampness |
|
Cang Zhu
jin (soaked) in rice water and chao (dry-fried); as printed: Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) 15g
|
15g | 50% | Chen (Deputy) | bitter and warm; strengthens Spleen and dries dampness |
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 (-0.50)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 50%, warm 50%.
Pairs warm and cool. 50% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 50% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 25%
- bitter 75%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 50%
- Stomach 50%
- Spleen 50%
- Bladder 50%
- Kidney 50%
- Liver 50%
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
Source: soak Cang Zhu in rice water, dry-fry equal amounts of both, powder; take with boiled water and fresh Sheng Jiang juice. Today: equal parts powdered, 6g per dose two to three times daily, or as decoction.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Ba Xian Xiao Yao San = this formula + Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Fang Feng, Gan Cao, Hua Jiao, Jing Jie, Ku Shen and Mu Dan Pi
- Jin Huang San = this formula + Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Bai Zhi, Chen Pi, Hou Po, Jiang Huang, Tian Hua Fen and Tian Nan Xing
- Shu Feng Huo Xue Tang = this formula + Bai Zhi, Chuan Xiong, Dan Nan Xing, Dang Gui, Gui Zhi, Han Fang Ji, Hong Hua, Qiang Huo and Wei Ling Xian
- Li Shi Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang = this formula + Gan Jiang Ren Shen Ban Xia Wan + Ze Xie Tang + Fu Ling, Huang Qi, Ju Hong, Mai Ya, Shen Qu and Tian Ma
- Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan = this formula + Bai Zhi, Chuan Xiong, Gui Zhi, Han Fang Ji, Hong Hua, Long Dan Cao, Qiang Huo, Shen Qu, Tao Ren, Tian Nan Xing and Wei Ling Xian
- Tong Feng Wan = this formula + Che Qian Zi, Chi Shao, He Zi, Ji Xue Teng, Jin Qian Cao, Sheng Di Huang, Shi Gao, Wu Wei Zi, Yi Yi Ren, Ze Xie and Zhi Mu
- Sang Zhi Shi Gao Zhi Mu Tang = this formula + Chi Shao, Dang Gui, Du Huo, Han Fang Ji, Huang Qin, Luo Shi Teng, Qiang Huo, Qin Jiao, Sang Zhi, Shi Gao, Wei Ling Xian, Wu Jia Pi, Yi Yi Ren and Zhi Mu
- Huan Yin Jiu Ku Tang = this formula + Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang + Qing Wei San + Chai Hu, Gao Ben, Hong Hua, Jie Geng, Lian Qiao, Long Dan Cao and Zhi Mu
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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