Jiu Xian San
Star九仙散 (Nine-Immortal Powder)
Source: Yi Xue Zheng Zhuan
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Jiu Xian San (Nine-Immortal Powder), from the Yi Xue Zheng Zhuan, is used to stabilize the Lung-Qi and stop chronic cough.
Presentation: chronic cough consuming Lung Qi and Yin; sweating easily; pulse: weak and rapid.
Syndrome: Syndrome of abnormal discharge.
Composition strategy:
- Qi-tonifying and Qi-stabilizing herbs used together
- Lung-Qi regulating and phlegm-eliminating herbs follow the pathology of the Lung
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 196.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ying Su Ke
as printed: Ying Su Ke (Papaveris somniferi pericarpium)
|
6g | 23.08% | Jun (Chief) | stabilize Lung-Qi directly |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Ginseng radix)
|
2g | 7.69% | Jun (Chief) | tonify Lung and Kidney Qi |
|
E Jiao
as printed: E Jiao (Asini corii colla)
|
2g | 7.69% | Chen (Deputy) | nourish Yin and moisten the Lung |
|
Wu Wei Zi
as printed: Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae fructus)
|
2g | 7.69% | Chen (Deputy) | stabilize Lung-Qi and stop cough |
|
Wu Mei
as printed: Wu Mei (Mume fructus)
|
6g | 23.08% | Chen (Deputy) | stabilize Lung-Qi and stop cough |
|
Kuan Dong Hua
as printed: Kuan Dong Hua (Tussilaginis farfarae)
|
2g | 7.69% | Zuo (Assistant) | eliminate phlegm, stop cough |
|
Chuan Bei Mu
as printed: Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillariae cirrhosae bulbus)
|
2g | 7.69% | Zuo (Assistant) | eliminate phlegm, stop cough |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Platycodi radix)
|
2g | 7.69% | Zuo (Assistant) | ascend Lung-Qi |
|
Sang Bai Pi
as printed: Sang Bai Pi (Mori cortex)
|
2g | 7.69% | Zuo (Assistant) | descend Lung-Qi |
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 (0.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 8%, cool 8%, neutral 62%, warm 23%.
Small but decisive: Sang Bai Pi 2g (cold, 8% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 8%
- sweet 27%
- sour 50%
- bitter 15%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Large intestine 46%
- Kidney 46%
- Spleen 39%
- Liver 31%
- Heart 23%
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
Powder and take warm as a draft with 2 slices Zingiberis Rhizoma recens and 1 Jujubae Fructus; now often decocted at reduced doses. Chuan bei mu is usually used; since ying su ke is obsolete, he zi, wu bei zi, or bai guo may be substituted.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 423.
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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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