Liu Yi San
Star六一散 (Six-to-One Powder)
Source: Shang Han Zhi Ge Fang Lun — Liu Yuan-Su (Jin, 1172)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Liu Yi San (Six-to-One Powder), from the Shang Han Zhi Ge Fang Lun (Direct Investigations of Formulas for Cold-Induced Disorders) by Liu Yuan-Su.
Actions: Dispels summer-heat and dampness.
Presentation: Summer-heat and dampness: fever, irritability, thirst, dysuria, or diarrhea.
Cautions:
- Not recommended for summer-heat or dysuria without damp-heat accumulation, or polyuria from yang deficiency
- Use with caution in qi and yin deficiency and in Spleen/Stomach deficiency
- Contraindicated during pregnancy
- Avoid direct contact of the powder with mucous membranes; granuloma formation has been reported
Toxicology: Well tolerated; granuloma may occur with direct contact between Hua Shi and mucous membranes.
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Diuretic: marked diuretic effect in mice, peaking within the first hour after oral dosing
- Protective: Hua Shi's fine particles, large surface area and binding property protect skin and reduce irritation; one report says oral Hua Shi can block intestinal absorption of toxins
Note: the book also describes a formula of the same name from Xuan Ming Lun Fang (p. 442). This record follows the Shang Han Zhi Ge Fang Lun version.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 441, 442.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hua Shi
as printed: Hua Shi (Talcum) 180g [18g]
|
18g | 85.71% | Jun (Chief) | cold and bland; clears summer-heat and dampness through urination |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 30g [3g]
|
3g | 14.29% | Chen (Deputy) | balances the coldness of Hua Shi; clears heat and harmonizes the middle jiao |
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 cold (-1.71)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 86%, neutral 14%.
Taste
- sweet 57%
- bland 43%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 100%
- Lung 14%
- Spleen 14%
- Heart 14%
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
Grind to fine powder; take 9g with warm water three times daily with a little honey, or cold with fresh well water. May also be decocted at bracketed doses, taken two to three times daily. Named for the 6:1 ratio of Hua Shi to Gan Cao.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Lei Shi Qing Liang Di Shu Fa = this formula + Bai Bian Dou, Fu Ling, Lian Qiao, Qing Hao and Tong Cao
- Ba Zheng San = this formula + Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Mu Tong, Bian Xu, Che Qian Zi, Qu Mai, Zhi Zi and Deng Xin Cao
- Xiao Ji Yin Zi = this formula + Dao Chi San + Xiao Ji, Ou Jie, Pu Huang, Dan Zhu Ye, Dang Gui and Zhi Zi
- Chu Shi Tang = this formula + Che Qian Zi, Chen Pi, Fang Feng, Fu Ling, Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Jing Jie, Lian Qiao, Mu Tong and Zhi Ke
- Feng Yin Tang = this formula + Gui Zhi Gan Cao Long Gu Mu Li Tang + Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Bai Shi Zhi, Chi Shi Zhi, Gan Jiang, Han Shui Shi, Shi Gao and Zi Shi Ying
- Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang = this formula + Ze Xie Tang + Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Chi Fu Ling, Deng Xin Cao, Fang Feng, Hou Po, Mu Tong, Rou Gui, Zhi Zi and Zhu Ling
- Zi Xue Dan = this formula + Yi Yuan San + Ling Xi Bai Hu Tang + She Xiang, Han Shui Shi, Sheng Ma, Shi Gao, Xuan Shen, Chen Xiang, Ci Shi, Ding Xiang, Mang Xiao, Xiao Shi and Qing Mu Xiang
- Fu Fang Ba Zheng San = this formula + Long Dan Xie Gan Tang + San Huang Xi Ji + Bian Xu, Deng Xin Cao, Fu Ling, Hong Hua, Niu Xi, Qu Mai, She Chuang Zi, Tao Ren, Wu Yao and Yi Yi Ren
- Qu Feng Zhi Bao Dan = this formula + Fang Feng Tong Sheng San + Xi Gan San + Wen Qing Yin + Du Huo, Quan Xie, Ren Shen, Tian Ma and Xi Xin
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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