Shen Xi Dan
Star神犀丹 (Magical Rhinoceros Special Pill)
Source: Wen Re Jing Wei — Wang Meng-Ying (1852)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Shen Xi Dan (Magical Rhinoceros Special Pill), from the Wen Re Jing Wei (Warp and Woof of Warm-Febrile Diseases) by Wang Meng-Ying — a variation of Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang.
Actions: Clears heat; Opens the sensory orifices; Cools the blood; Eliminates toxins.
Presentation: Febrile disorders or epidemic summer-heat with heat and toxins in the ying and xue levels depleting yin and fluids: high fever, delirium, maculae on the skin, sores in the mouth and throat, red eyes, irritability, restlessness, scarlet tongue.
Composition: Batch (pill-making) quantities.
Cautions:
- Xi Jiao is from an endangered animal; included for historical purposes
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 335.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Xi Jiao
Today generally replaced by Shui Niu Jiao (Cornu Bubali) [1,800g]; as printed: Xi Jiao (Cornu Rhinoceri) 180g
|
180g | 5.88% | — | |
|
Shi Chang Pu
as printed: Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii) 180g
|
180g | 5.88% | — | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 180g
|
180g | 5.88% | — | |
|
Sheng Di Huang
as printed: Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae) 480g
|
480g | 15.69% | — | |
|
Jin Yin Hua
as printed: Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae) 480g
|
480g | 15.69% | — | |
|
Jin Zhi
Removed from the formula today; as printed: Jin Zhi (Excrementum Hominis) 300g
|
300g | 9.8% | — | |
|
Lian Qiao
as printed: Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) 300g
|
300g | 9.8% | — | |
|
Ban Lan Gen
as printed: Ban Lan Gen (Radix Isatidis) 270g
|
270g | 8.82% | — | |
|
Dan Dou Chi
as printed: Dan Dou Chi (Semen Sojae Praeparatum) 240g
|
240g | 7.84% | — | |
|
Xuan Shen
as printed: Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae) 210g
|
210g | 6.86% | — | |
|
Tian Hua Fen
as printed: Tian Hua Fen (Radix Trichosanthis) 120g
|
120g | 3.92% | — | |
|
Zi Cao
as printed: Zi Cao (Radix Arnebiae) 120g
|
120g | 3.92% | — |
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 cold (-1.54)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 66%, cool 28%, warm 6%.
Small but decisive: Xi Jiao 180g (cold, 6% of the grams), Huang Qin 180g (cold, 6% of the grams), Jin Zhi 300g (cold, 10% of the grams), Ban Lan Gen 270g (cold, 9% of the grams), Zi Cao 120g (cold, 4% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 6%
- sweet 32%
- bitter 55%
- salty 7%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Heart 72%
- Stomach 71%
- Lung 50%
- Liver 26%
- Kidney 23%
- Large intestine 22%
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
Mix the liquids of Xi Jiao and Di Huang with Jin Zhi, add the powder of the remaining herbs and form pills; take 1 pill (3g) twice daily with cooled boiled water; reduce for children. Today Xi Jiao is replaced by Shui Niu Jiao [1,800g] and Jin Zhi is omitted.
Relationships
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Formula Network
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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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