San Shi Tang
Star三石汤 (Three Minerals Decoction)
Source: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
San Shi Tang (Three Minerals Decoction), from Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798).
Associated formula of Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin.
Actions: Clears heat with acrid, cooling herbs; Transforms turbidity with aromatic herbs
Indications: Qi-aspect summerheat and warm pathogen disorders with heat flooding the Triple Burner: fever, red face, focal distention, stifling sensation in the chest, fresh red tongue with a thin, yellow, slippery coating.
Usage: Weaker at dispelling dampness but stronger at clearing summerheat than the main formula; also used for phlegm-heat where drying herbs would harm the fluids.
Cautions:
- Succus Faecalis Aureus is no longer used; Isatidis Folium (da qing ye) or Coptidis Rhizoma (huang lian) is substituted
Category: Formulas that Dispel Summerheat and Facilitate the Resolution of Dampness.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 242.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hua Shi
as printed: Talcum (hua shi) 9g
|
9g | 14.29% | — | |
|
Shi Gao
as printed: Gypsum fibrosum (shi gao) 15g
|
15g | 23.81% | — | |
|
Han Shui Shi
per Bensky, Materia Medica 3rd ed. (2004), Han Shui Shi (Calcitum) in use is red gypsum or calcite; as printed: Glauberitum (han shui shi) 9g
|
9g | 14.29% | — | |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Armeniacae Semen (xing ren) 9g
|
9g | 14.29% | — | |
|
Zhu Ru
as printed: Bambusae Caulis in taeniam (zhu ru) 6g
|
6g | 9.52% | — | |
|
Jin Yin Hua
as printed: Lonicerae Flos (jin yin hua) 9g
|
9g | 14.29% | — | |
|
Jin Zhi
dose printed as one wine glass; as printed: Succus Faecalis Aureus (jin zhi) one wine glass
|
g | — | — | |
|
Tong Cao
as printed: Tetrapanacis Medulla (tong cao) 6g
|
6g | 9.52% | — |
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 cool (-1.38)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 67%, cool 19%, warm 14%.
Taste
- pungent 19%
- sweet 48%
- bitter 14%
- salty 7%
- bland 12%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 86%
- Lung 71%
- Heart 38%
- Large intestine 29%
- Kidney 14%
- Gallbladder 10%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Jin Zhi.
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
Decoct in 5 cups of water to 2 cups; take warm in two portions.
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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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