Hua Gai San
Star华盖散 (Canopy Powder)
Source: Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang — Imperial Medical Department (Song, 1078)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Hua Gai San (Canopy Powder), from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era) by Imperial Medical Department.
Actions: Ventilates the Lung and releases the exterior; Dispels phlegm and stops coughing.
Presentation: Wind-cold attacking the Lung: cough, dyspnea, profuse sputum, fullness and discomfort in the chest and diaphragm, nasal obstruction, stiff neck and upper back, and a superficial, rapid pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 48.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ma Huang
as printed: Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 15% | Releases exterior wind-cold and smooths Lung qi | |
|
Sang Bai Pi
as printed: Sang Bai Pi (Cortex Mori, mi zhi (fried with honey)) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 15% | Relieves cough and eliminates phlegm | |
|
Zi Su Zi
as printed: Zi Su Zi (Fructus Perillae, chao (dry-fried)) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 15% | Relieves cough and eliminates phlegm | |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum, chao (dry-fried)) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 15% | Redirects Lung qi downward to relieve cough and dyspnea | |
|
Chi Fu Ling
as printed: Chi Fu Ling (Poria Rubra) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 15% | Dispels dampness, eliminates phlegm, strengthens the Spleen to prevent phlegm | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 15% | Regulates qi, relieves cough, eliminates phlegm | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 15g [6g]
|
6g | 10% | Harmonizes the herbs |
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 warm (+0.30)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 15%, neutral 25%, warm 60%.
Taste
- pungent 30%
- sweet 33%
- bitter 30%
- bland 8%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 85%
- Spleen 55%
- Large intestine 30%
- Heart 25%
- Stomach 10%
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 text: grind to powder and cook 9g in one large bowl of water down to 70%; take warm after meals. Today prepared as decoction with bracketed doses.
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.
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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