San Wu Bei Ji Wan
Star三物备急丸 (Three-Substance Pill for Emergencies)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
San Wu Bei Ji Wan (Three-Substance Pill for Emergencies), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Drastically purges cold and accumulation.
Presentation: Excess cold accumulation in the interior: sudden excruciating epigastric and abdominal fullness and pain, stabbing chest pain, cyanotic complexion, rapid breathing, lockjaw, constipation, deep tight pulse; possibly unconsciousness in severe cases.
Cautions:
- Ba Dou is toxic: use with extreme caution and only in emergencies or severe conditions
- Contraindicated in pregnancy, elderly or weak patients, and heat conditions
- For persistent diarrhea afterward, give room-temperature rice porridge
- Use only when absolutely necessary and briefly; large doses or prolonged use can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 171.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ba Dou
ao (simmered) and yan (ground) to small particles; as printed: Ba Dou (Semen Crotonis) 30g
|
30g | 33.33% | Jun (Chief) | Acrid, warm and extremely potent cathartic that dispels cold accumulation |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 30g
|
30g | 33.33% | Chen (Deputy) | Warms to assist Ba Dou in dispelling cold and protects Spleen yang |
|
Da Huang
described as the assistant and envoy herb; as printed: Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 30g
|
30g | 33.33% | Zuo (Assistant) | Dispels Stomach/Intestine stagnation; its cold moderates the extreme heat of Ba Dou |
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.
Hot drastic purging combined with warming of the middle, which expels cold accumulation from the stomach and intestines.
Acute cold accumulation with sudden abdominal distention and pain and constipation. Ba Dou is highly toxic; contraindicated in pregnancy and weak patients; incompatible with Qian Niu Zi (nineteen antagonisms).
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 (+0.67)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 33%, hot 67%.
Pairs warm and cool. 67% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 33% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 67%
- bitter 33%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 100%
- Lung 67%
- Large intestine 67%
- Spleen 67%
- Heart 33%
- Pericardium 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: powder and mix with honey into pills the size of large beans; take 3-4 pills with warm water or liquor. Today usually given as powder with rice soup or warm water, 0.6-1.5g for adults, less for children.
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
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 San Wu Bei Ji Wan.
No notes yet.