Mu Li Ze Xie San
Star牡蛎泽泻散 (Oyster Shell and Alisma Powder)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 20, 2026
Explain this formula AI · professionals
An AI tool for verified professionals
Our AI tools are available only to verified practitioners, who can weigh what a language model drafts against their own training and a patient in front of them.
Already verified? Sign in to use it. Practitioners can register a professional account; we review your credentials before the AI tools unlock.
Description
Mu Li Ze Xie San (Oyster Shell and Alisma Powder) is the formula given in Line 395 of the Shang Han Lun for water qì from the lumbus down after a major illness has been cured (damp-heat congestion in the lower burner). The seven ingredients are used in equal parts; no weights are printed.
Also contains (not linked): dichroa leaf (蜀漆 shǔ qī), printed 蜀漆（暖水洗去腥）: equal parts, washed with warm water to eliminate fishy smell.
Source: Mitchell C, Feng Y, Wiseman N. Shang Han Lun: On Cold Damage, Translation & Commentaries. Paradigm Publications, 1999, pp. 601–602.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mu Li
as printed: 牡蛎（熬） (dry-fried); equal parts of the seven ingredients (各等分), no amount printed
|
g | — | — | |
|
Ze Xie
as printed: 泽泻; equal parts of the seven ingredients (各等分), no amount printed
|
g | — | — | |
|
Shang Lu
as printed: 商陆根（熬） (phytolacca root, dry-fried); equal parts of the seven ingredients (各等分), no amount printed
|
g | — | — | |
|
Hai Zao
as printed: 海藻（洗去咸） (washed to eliminate salt); equal parts of the seven ingredients (各等分), no amount printed
|
g | — | — | |
|
Ting Li Zi
as printed: 葶苈子（熬） (dry-fried); equal parts of the seven ingredients (各等分), no amount printed
|
g | — | — | |
|
Tian Hua Fen
as printed: 栝楼根 (trichosanthes root, guā lóu gēn); equal parts of the seven ingredients (各等分), no amount printed
|
g | — | — |
Preparation
(1) [For] the above seven ingredients pound separately and sieve into a powder. Work [the powder] in a mortar to blend with a white [rice] cool decoction. Take a square-inch-spoonful three times a day. (2) [If] urination is uninhibited cease taking [the decoction]. (Mitchell, Feng & Wiseman 1999, p. 601, Line 395)
Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
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 Ze Xie San.
No notes yet.