San Zi Yang Qin Tang
Star三子养亲汤 (Three-Seed Decoction to Nourish One's Parents)
Source: Han Shi Yi Tong — Han Mao (Ming, 1522)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
San Zi Yang Qin Tang (Three-Seed Decoction to Nourish One's Parents), from the Han Shi Yi Tong (Comprehensive Medicine According to Master Han) by Han Mao.
Actions: Redirects Lung qi and soothes the diaphragm; Dissolves phlegm and promotes food digestion.
Presentation: Phlegm retention with qi stagnation: coughing with profuse sputum, wheezing, dyspnea, distention in the chest, indigestion even with decreased food intake, white greasy tongue coating, and a slippery pulse.
Composition: Only bracketed modern doses printed; source text uses at most 9g of the combined herbs per dose.
Toxicology: Very low toxicity: oral LD50 in mice could not be determined; up to 120 g/kg (maximum stomach capacity) caused no deaths.
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Antiasthmatic: reverses airway obstruction by relaxing smooth muscle and reversing bronchoconstriction
- Antitussive: marked effect in mice with induced cough, starting about 1 hour after oral dosing
- Expectorant: marked expectorant and antitussive effects at 20 g/kg orally in decoction
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1245.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bai Jie Zi
as printed: Bai Jie Zi (Semen Sinapis) [6g]
|
6g | 25% | warms the Lung, dissolves phlegm, soothes the diaphragm | |
|
Zi Su Zi
as printed: Zi Su Zi (Fructus Perillae) [9g]
|
9g | 37.5% | disperses phlegm, directs reversed Lung qi downward to relieve cough and wheezing | |
|
Lai Fu Zi
as printed: Lai Fu Zi (Semen Raphani) [9g]
|
9g | 37.5% | activates Stomach qi, resolves food stagnation, eliminates phlegm |
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.
Warms and disperses cold phlegm while descending qi and reducing food accumulation.
Descends qi and calms wheezing while warming the lungs and expelling thin cold phlegm.
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 (+0.63)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 38%, warm 63%.
Taste
- pungent 81%
- sweet 19%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Stomach 63%
- Large intestine 38%
- Spleen 38%
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 text: dry-fry and crush the seeds; put at most 9g in a silk sack and cook briefly in a large amount of water (do not overcook); sip frequently through the day. Add honey for constipation, and 3 slices Sheng Jiang in winter. Today: crush seeds (bracketed doses), cook in a cheesecloth bag, take small amounts frequently.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- San Zi Jiang Qi Tang = this formula + Shen Mi 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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