Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San

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藿香正气散 (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi)

Source: Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Song, 1107)

Last updated August 30, 2026

Not yet clinically reviewed

Exterior Wind-Cold with interior dampnessSummer cold with stomach upsetAcute gastroenteritisFood poisoningMotion sicknessNausea and vomiting with chillsSummer-damp causing diarrhea

Description

Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi) releases the exterior, transforms dampness, regulates Qi, and harmonizes the middle. It treats the simultaneous presence of exterior Wind-Cold and interior damp stagnation — a pattern common in summer colds. Widely used in China for acute gastroenteritis, food poisoning, motion sickness, and summer dampness conditions.

Composition

Herb Amount % Role Function
Huo Xiang 9g 12% Jun (Chief) Releases the exterior, transforms dampness, harmonizes the middle, stops vomiting
Zi Su Ye 6g 8% Chen (Deputy) Releases the exterior and moves qi, aids Huo Xiang
Bai Zhi 6g 8% Chen (Deputy) Releases the exterior and scatters wind-cold-damp
Ban Xia 6g 8% Zuo (Assistant) Dries dampness, harmonizes the Stomach, stops vomiting
Chen Pi 6g 8% Zuo (Assistant) Regulates qi and dries dampness
Bai Zhu 6g 8% Zuo (Assistant) Strengthens the Spleen and dries dampness
Fu Ling 6g 8% Zuo (Assistant) Strengthens the Spleen and leaches dampness
Hou Po 6g 8% Zuo (Assistant) Moves qi, dries dampness, relieves fullness and distention
Da Fu Pi 6g 8% Zuo (Assistant) Moves qi and promotes water metabolism
Jie Geng 6g 8% Zuo (Assistant) Opens Lung qi and facilitates the chest
Gan Cao 3g 4% Shi (Envoy) Harmonizes the formula
Sheng Jiang 3g 4% Shi (Envoy) Harmonizes the Stomach and stops vomiting
Da Zao 6g 8% Shi (Envoy) Harmonizes the middle burner

Total weight: 87g

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.

Huo Xiang藿香 + Zi Su Ye紫苏叶

Release the exterior and transform dampness while harmonizing the middle, treating externally contracted wind-cold with internal dampness.

Chills and fever with vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal fullness.

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

Cold Cool Neutral Warm Hot

Net warm (+0.80)

From 100% of the weighed grams.

neutral warm

Grams by band: neutral 20%, warm 80%.

Taste

pungent sweet bitter bland
  • pungent 60%
  • sweet 20%
  • bitter 16%
  • bland 4%

From 100% of the weighed grams.

Channels reached

  • Spleen 84%
  • Lung 76%
  • Stomach 76%
  • Large intestine 32%
  • Heart 12%
  • Small intestine 8%

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.

Compare side by side with Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang →

Preparation

Available as powder, pills, or oral liquid. As decoction: simmer 15–20 minutes and take warm.

Dosage

Powder: 6–9g 2–3x/day. Oral liquid (Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Ye): 5–10mL per dose. Take warm for chills.

Conditions Addressed

Related Formulas

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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

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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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