Mu Li San
Star牡蛎散 (Oyster Shell Powder)
Source: Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang — Imperial Medical Department (Song, 1107)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Mu Li San (Oyster Shell Powder), from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era) by Imperial Medical Department.
Actions: Protects the exterior; Stops spontaneous and night sweating.
Presentation: Yin and qi deficiencies: spontaneous sweating, profuse and continuous sweating while sleeping at night, palpitations, irritability, shortness of breath, and lethargy.
Composition: Xiao Mai (Fructus Tritici) is added at preparation: about 100 pieces [15-30g] in the source; 30g today. Authors suggest Fu Xiao Mai (Fructus Tritici Levis) in its place for a stronger effect.
Cautions:
- Not suitable for night sweating caused by yin-deficient heat
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 776.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mu Li
jin (soaked) in rice water to remove soil and shao (burned) till red; as printed: Mu Li, jin (soaked) in rice water to remove soil and shao (burned) till red (Concha Ostreae) 30g
|
30g | 33.33% | Jun (Chief) | benefits yin to stop night sweating; anchors yang to relieve irritability |
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 30g
|
30g | 33.33% | Chen (Deputy) | tonifies qi, strengthens the exterior, stops spontaneous sweating |
|
Ma Huang Gen
xi (washed); as printed: Ma Huang Gen, xi (washed) (Radix et Rhizoma Ephedrae) 30g
|
30g | 33.33% | Zuo (Assistant) | astringent; stops spontaneous and night sweating |
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.
Astringing sweat combined with tonifying qi and securing the exterior, which stops spontaneous and night sweating from deficiency.
Spontaneous sweating worse at night with palpitations from exterior insecurity.
A herb that specifically stops sweating combined with a heavy astringent mineral that secures the exterior and restrains yin, the pair stops spontaneous and night sweating.
Used with Huang Qi. Not for sweating from an exterior pathogen.
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: cool 33%, neutral 33%, warm 33%.
Pairs warm and cool. 33% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 33% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- sweet 67%
- salty 33%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 67%
- Heart 67%
- Spleen 33%
- Kidney 33%
- Gallbladder 33%
- Liver 33%
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: grind the three herbs to coarse powder; cook 9g with about 100 pieces [15-30g] of Xiao Mai in 1.5 bowls of water, reduce to 80%, take warm in two divided doses at any time of day. Today: cook 9g of the powder with 30g Xiao Mai, or decoct with Xiao Mai at proportionally adjusted doses.
Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
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.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Mu Li San.
No notes yet.