San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Star散肿溃坚汤 (Disperse the Swelling and Break the Hardness Decoction)
Source: Wan Bing Hui Chun — Gong Ting-Xian (Ming, 1587)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang (Disperse the Swelling and Break the Hardness Decoction), from the Wan Bing Hui Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian.
Actions: Disperses stagnation and softens hardness; Reduces swelling and drains pus.
Presentation: Suppurative sores, ulcerations, and swellings that remain hard after discharge of pus and abscess (nodules especially below the ears, under the cheeks, around the shoulders, beneath the armpits).
Note: the book also describes a formula of the same name from Lan Shi Mi Cang (p. 1358). This record follows the Wan Bing Hui Chun version.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1357, 1358.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hai Zao
named as chief herb (with Kun Bu) in the comparison of the two same-named formulas; as printed: Hai Zao (Sargassum) 15g
|
15g | 8.26% | Jun (Chief) | eliminates phlegm, softens hardness, disperses nodules |
|
Kun Bu
named as chief herb (with Hai Zao) in the comparison of the two same-named formulas; as printed: Kun Bu (Thallus Eckloniae) 15g
|
15g | 8.26% | Jun (Chief) | eliminates phlegm, softens hardness, disperses nodules |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 15g
|
15g | 8.26% | eliminates phlegm, softens hardness | |
|
San Leng
as printed: San Leng (Rhizoma Sparganii) 9g
|
9g | 4.96% | moves blood, eliminates stasis to break hardness | |
|
E Zhu
as printed: E Zhu (Rhizoma Curcumae) 9g
|
9g | 4.96% | moves blood, eliminates stasis to break hardness | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 9g
|
9g | 4.96% | nourishes blood and moderates San Leng/E Zhu | |
|
Dang Gui
root tail (wei); as printed: Dang Gui Wei (Extremitas Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 0.83% | nourishes blood and moderates San Leng/E Zhu | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 9g
|
9g | 4.96% | clears damp-heat (upper jiao) | |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 9g
|
9g | 4.96% | clears damp-heat (middle jiao) | |
|
Long Dan Cao
as printed: Long Dan (Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae) 9g
|
9g | 4.96% | clears damp-heat (lower jiao) | |
|
Lian Qiao
as printed: Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) 9g
|
9g | 4.96% | clears heat and eliminates toxins | |
|
Zhi Mu
as printed: Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) 15g
|
15g | 8.26% | clears deficiency heat, protects yin and fluids | |
|
Huang Bai
as printed: Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis) 15g
|
15g | 8.26% | clears deficiency heat, protects yin and fluids | |
|
Tian Hua Fen
as printed: Tian Hua Fen (Radix Trichosanthis) 15g
|
15g | 8.26% | clears deficiency heat, protects yin and fluids | |
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 0.83% | activates qi, guides formula upward | |
|
Sheng Ma
as printed: Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 0.83% | activates qi, guides formula upward | |
|
Ge Gen
as printed: Ge Gen (Radix Puerariae Lobatae) 9g
|
9g | 4.96% | activates qi, guides formula upward | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 15g
|
15g | 8.26% | harmonizes |
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 (-1.15)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 48%, cool 25%, neutral 22%, warm 6%.
Small but decisive: Hai Zao 15g (cold, 8% of the grams), Kun Bu 15g (cold, 8% of the grams), Huang Qin 9g (cold, 5% of the grams), Huang Lian 9g (cold, 5% of the grams), Long Dan Cao 9g (cold, 5% of the grams), Zhi Mu 15g (cold, 8% of the grams), Huang Bai 15g (cold, 8% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 13%
- sweet 20%
- sour 3%
- bitter 53%
- salty 12%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 57%
- Lung 44%
- Liver 43%
- Spleen 40%
- Kidney 33%
- Heart 24%
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
Soak all ingredients in water half a day, then cook until reduced by 50%; take strained, warm. Processing: Hai Zao dry-fried; Kun Bu washed with cold water; San Leng, E Zhu and Zhi Mu soaked in liquor; Bai Shao, Huang Qin and Huang Bo dry-fried with liquor.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang + Jie Geng Tang + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Hai Zao, Kun Bu, Chai Hu, Dang Gui, E Zhu, Huang Bai, Lian Qiao, Long Dan Cao, San Leng, Sheng Ma, Tian Hua Fen and Zhi Mu
- This formula = Jie Geng Tang + Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Hai Zao, Kun Bu, Chai Hu, Dang Gui, E Zhu, Huang Bai, Lian Qiao, Long Dan Cao, San Leng, Sheng Ma, Tian Hua Fen and Zhi Mu
- This formula = Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang + Jie Geng Tang + Hai Zao, Kun Bu, Chai Hu, Dang Gui, E Zhu, Huang Bai, Lian Qiao, Long Dan Cao, San Leng, Sheng Ma, Tian Hua Fen and Zhi Mu
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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