Sang Piao Xiao San
Star桑螵蛸散 (Mantis Egg-Case Powder)
Source: Ben Cao Yan Yi — Kou Zong-Shi (1116)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Sang Piao Xiao San (Mantis Egg-Case Powder), from the Ben Cao Yan Yi (Extension of the Materia Medica) by Kou Zong-Shi.
Actions: Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidney; Stabilizes jing (essence) and stops seminal emission.
Presentation: Heart and Kidney deficiencies: frequent urination, cloudy urine that resembles rice water, seminal emission, enuresis, trance, forgetfulness and poor appetite.
Cautions:
- Tonic and astringent; not suitable for seminal emission and frequent urination from lower-jiao damp-heat
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 792.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sang Piao Xiao
as printed: Sang Piao Xiao (Ootheca Mantidis) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 11.11% | Jun (Chief) | tonifies the Kidney, nourishes jing, stops seminal emission |
|
Long Gu
as printed: Long Gu (Os Draconis) 30g [15g]
|
15g | 18.52% | Chen (Deputy) | calms the shen and stabilizes jing |
|
Gui Ban
chu zhi (fried with vinegar); as printed: Gui Ban, chu zhi (fried with vinegar) (Plastrum Testudinis) 30g [15g]
|
15g | 18.52% | Chen (Deputy) | nourishes yin and tonifies the Heart and Kidney |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 11.11% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies yuan qi |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 11.11% | Zuo (Assistant) | nourishes blood |
|
Yuan Zhi
as printed: Yuan Zhi (Radix Polygalae) 30g [6g]
|
6g | 7.41% | Zuo (Assistant) | calms and anchors the shen to harmonize Heart and Kidney |
|
Shi Chang Pu
as printed: Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii) 30g [6g]
|
6g | 7.41% | Zuo (Assistant) | calms and anchors the shen to harmonize Heart and Kidney |
|
Fu Shen
as printed: Fu Shen (Poria Pararadicis) 30g [12g]
|
12g | 14.81% | Zuo (Assistant) | calms the shen |
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.
Tonifying the Kidney and securing essence combined with heavy settling astringency, the pair stops enuresis, frequent urination and seminal emission while calming the spirit.
Heart-Kidney disharmony with frequent cloudy urination, poor memory and a restless mind.
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 neutral (0.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 19%, neutral 44%, warm 37%.
Taste
- pungent 13%
- sweet 52%
- bitter 13%
- salty 15%
- bland 7%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Heart 89%
- Kidney 67%
- Liver 59%
- Spleen 37%
- Lung 19%
- Stomach 7%
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; take 6g at bedtime with a Ren Shen decoction. Today usually 6g at bedtime with a Dang Shen decoction, or decocted at the bracketed doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
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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