San Xiang Tang
StarSource: Wen Bing Tiao Bian — Wu Ju-Tong (Qing, 1798)
Last updated October 23, 2026
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Description
San Xiang Tang (Three-Fragrant Decoction), from Wen Bing Tiao Bian.
Actions: Clear heat, transform phlegm, relieve stagnation, and open orifices.
Indications: Damp–heat turbid, obstructing the membrane source. Symptoms include absence of hunger, no appetite, misted orifices, delirious speech in milder cases, mania in severe cases or delirium and coma in extreme cases; or tidal fever, stifling sensation at chest, white greasy tongue coating, or thick and soggy or soggy, rapid pulse.
Source: Liu C, Tseng A, with Yang S. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Modern Applications of Traditional Formulas. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2005, p. 229.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dan Dou Chi
as printed: Dan Dou Chi 6 g
|
6g | 10.34% | — | |
|
Jiang Xiang
as printed: Jiang Xiang 10 g
|
10g | 17.24% | — | |
|
Yu Jin
as printed: Yu Jin 6 g
|
6g | 10.34% | — | |
|
Gua Lou Pi
as printed: Gua Lou Pi 10 g
|
10g | 17.24% | — | |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng 10 g
|
10g | 17.24% | — | |
|
Zhi Zi
as printed: Shan Zhi Zi (burned) 10 g
|
10g | 17.24% | — | |
|
Zhi Ke
as printed: Zhi Ke 6 g
|
6g | 10.34% | — |
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 (-0.93)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 45%, cool 21%, neutral 17%, warm 17%.
Taste
- pungent 38%
- sweet 12%
- sour 3%
- bitter 47%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 83%
- Stomach 38%
- Spleen 28%
- Heart 28%
- Liver 28%
- Large intestine 10%
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
Decoction, divided into two doses.
Conditions Addressed
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Formula family
Full equations
- This formula = Zhi Zi Chi Tang + Gua Lou Pi, Jiang Xiang, Jie Geng, Yu Jin and Zhi Ke. Relative doses differ by up to about 1.7× from the catalogue's Zhi Zi Chi Tang.
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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