Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan
Star活络效灵丹 (Fantastically Effective Pill to Invigorate the Collaterals)
Source: Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu — Zhang Xi-Chun (1918)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (Fantastically Effective Pill to Invigorate the Collaterals), from the Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu (Records of Heart-Felt Experiences in Medicine With Reference to the West) by Zhang Xi-Chun.
Actions: Activates blood circulation and dispels blood stasis; Unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain.
Presentation: Qi and blood stagnation: heart and abdominal pain, pain of the arms and legs, bruises and swelling due to trauma, and other external disorders such as carbuncles, furuncles, multiple abscesses, scrofulae, and ulcers.
Cautions:
- Contraindicated in pregnancy and when there is no blood stasis
- May cause nausea, vomiting and GI discomfort; if so reduce Ru Xiang and Mo Yao from 15g to 6-9g
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 914.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 15g
|
15g | 25% | Jun (Chief) | nourishes and activates blood |
|
Dan Shen
as printed: Dan Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae) 15g
|
15g | 25% | invigorates blood and removes stasis | |
|
Ru Xiang
fresh; as printed: Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum) 15g
|
15g | 25% | activates qi and blood to relieve pain | |
|
Mo Yao
fresh; as printed: Mo Yao (Myrrha) 15g
|
15g | 25% | activates qi and blood to relieve pain |
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 neutral (+0.25)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 25%, neutral 25%, warm 50%.
Pairs warm and cool. 50% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 25% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 38%
- sweet 13%
- bitter 50%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Heart 100%
- Liver 100%
- Spleen 75%
- Pericardium 25%
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
Decoction; or grind the stated doses to powder and take in four equal doses with warm grain-based liquor.
Relationships
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Formula Network
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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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