San Ao Tang
Star三拗汤 (Three-Unbinding Decoction)
Source: Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang — Imperial Medical Department (1078)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
San Ao Tang (Three-Unbinding Decoction), from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era) by Imperial Medical Department — a variation of Ma Huang Tang.
Actions: Ventilates the Lung; Expels exterior wind-cold.
Presentation: Common cold from wind: stuffy nose, heaviness of the body, hoarse voice, headache, vertigo, lethargy, cough with sputum, chest fullness, shortness of breath.
Composition: Ma Huang Tang minus Gui Zhi, with raw Gan Cao; equal portions, no individual doses printed
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 43.
Composition
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.
Preparation
Grind equal portions into coarse powder; cook 15g with 5 slices Sheng Jiang in 1.5 large bowls water down to 1 bowl; after taking, go to bed covered until mild sweating.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Ma Huang Lian Qiao Chi Xiao Dou Tang = this formula + Chi Xiao Dou, Da Zao, Lian Qiao, Sang Bai Pi and Sheng Jiang
- Ding Chuan Tang = this formula + Bai Guo, Ban Xia, Kuan Dong Hua, Zi Su Zi, Huang Qin and Sang Bai Pi
- Wei Rui Tang = this formula + Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang + Bai Wei, Chuan Xiong, Du Huo, Qing Mu Xiang and Yu zhu
- Xu Ming Tang = this formula + Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang + Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Gan Jiang, Ren Shen and Rou Gui
- Fang Feng Tang = this formula + Chi Fu Ling, Da Zao, Dang Gui, Fang Feng, Ge Gen, Huang Qin, Qin Jiao, Rou Gui and Sheng Jiang
- Xiao Xu Ming Tang = this formula + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Shen Fu Tang + Chuan Xiong, Fang Feng, Sheng Jiang, Rou Gui, Huang Qin and Han Fang Ji
- Jia Wei Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang = this formula + Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang + Ting Li Da Zao Xie Fei Tang + Di Gu Pi, Gua Lou Pi, Lian Qiao, Pi Pa Ye, Sang Bai Pi, She Gan and Wu Wei Zi
- San Zi Jiang Qi Tang = this formula + Shen Mi Tang + San Zi Yang Qin Tang + Dang Gui, Pi Pa Ye, Rou Gui, Ting Li Zi, Wu Wei Zi and Zao Jiao Ci
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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