Niu Xi San
Star牛膝散 (Achyranthes Powder)
Source: Formulas from Benevolent Sages Compiled during the Taiping Era (992)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Niu Xi San (Achyranthes Powder), from Formulas from Benevolent Sages Compiled during the Taiping Era (992).
Associated formula of Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan.
Actions: Invigorates the blood; Disperses stasis; Adjusts the menses; Relieves pain
Usage: For inhibited menses with periumbilical or lower abdominal pain; slightly better at moving qi than Zhe Chong Yin, which is stronger for abdominal blood stasis.
Category: Formulas that Invigorate the Blood and Dispel Blood Stasis.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 587.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Niu Xi
(9g); as printed: Achyranthis bidentatae Radix (niu xi) 30g (9g)
|
30g | 18.18% | — | |
|
Gui Zhi
(9g); as printed: Cinnamomi Ramulus (gui zhi) 30g (9g)
|
30g | 18.18% | — | |
|
Chi Shao
(6-9g); as printed: Paeoniae Radix rubra (chi shao) 15g (6-9g)
|
15g | 9.09% | — | |
|
Dang Gui
(4-6g); as printed: Angelicae sinensis Radix (dang gui) 15g (4-6g)
|
15g | 9.09% | — | |
|
Mu Xiang
(6-9g); as printed: Aucklandiae Radix (mu xiang) 15g (6-9g)
|
15g | 9.09% | — | |
|
Mu Dan Pi
(6-9g); as printed: Moutan Cortex (mu dan pi) 15g (6-9g)
|
15g | 9.09% | — | |
|
Yan Hu Suo
(6-9g); as printed: Corydalis Rhizoma (yan hu suo) 15g (6-9g)
|
15g | 9.09% | — | |
|
Chuan Xiong
(6-9g); as printed: Chuanxiong Rhizoma (chuan xiong) 15g (6-9g)
|
15g | 9.09% | — | |
|
Tao Ren
(6-9g); as printed: Persicae Semen (tao ren) 15g (6-9g)
|
15g | 9.09% | — |
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 slightly warm (+0.36)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 18%, neutral 27%, warm 55%.
Taste
- pungent 36%
- sweet 24%
- sour 11%
- bitter 29%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 73%
- Heart 55%
- Lung 27%
- Spleen 27%
- Kidney 27%
- Large intestine 18%
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; take 3g per dose in warm rice wine before meals. Parenthetical amounts are the editors' suggestions for decoction.
Relationships
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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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