Shi Zao Tang
Star十枣汤 (Ten-Jujube Decoction)
Source: Shang Han Lun (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Shi Zao Tang (Ten-Jujube Decoction), from the Shang Han Lun, is used to drive out congested fluid in the chest; drive out generalized water (edema).
Presentation: congested fluid in the chest; generalized edema.
Syndrome: Syndrome of water accumulation.
Composition strategy:
- Shows how to manage poisonous, harsh but necessary herbs through dosage and administration.
- The three harsh herbs are taken in a Da Zao decoction to protect the Stomach.
Cautions:
- All three harsh herbs in small doses; weak patients use half the dose.
- Take once in the morning only; if no improvement, an extra half dose the next day.
- Stop once diarrhea or copious urination occurs.
- Afterwards eat easily digested food to restore the Stomach.
- Gan Cao is incompatible with Da Ji, Yuan Hua and Gan Sui.
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 68.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yuan Hua
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Yuan Hua (Genkwa flos)
|
0.5g | 33.33% | Jun (Chief) | drives out fluid from the joints and cavities |
|
Hong Da Ji
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Da Ji (Knoxiae radix)
|
0.5g | 33.33% | Jun (Chief) | drives out fluid from the internal organs |
|
Gan Sui
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Gan Sui (Euphorbiae kansui radix)
|
0.5g | 33.33% | Jun (Chief) | drives out fluid from the meridians |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Jujubae fructus)
|
10pieces | 100% | Zuo (Assistant) | moderates the violent action of the three chief herbs; tonifies Spleen, protects Stomach |
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.
Jujube protects the stomach qi and moderates the harshness of the water-expelling herb, allowing fluid to be expelled with less injury to the middle burner.
Classic protective pairing in Shi Zao Tang, where the powdered expellants are taken with jujube decoction. The protection is partial; Gan Sui remains toxic and contraindicated in pregnancy.
Two harsh water-expelling herbs used together to expel pooled fluids from the chest, hypochondrium and abdomen.
Suspended fluid and severe edema in robust patients. Toxic, drastic purgative; for robust patients only, stop once effect is achieved, contraindicated in pregnancy. Both are incompatible with Gan Cao (eighteen incompatibilities).
Two harsh water-expelling herbs used together to drive out pooled fluid in the chest and hypochondrium.
Suspended fluid (xuan yin) and severe edema in robust patients. Toxic, drastic purgative; for robust patients only, stop once effect is achieved, contraindicated in pregnancy. Both are incompatible with Gan Cao (eighteen incompatibilities).
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 (-1.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 67%, warm 33%.
Pairs warm and cool. 33% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 67% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 33%
- sweet 17%
- bitter 50%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Kidney 100%
- Large intestine 67%
- Spleen 67%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Da Zao.
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
The three harsh herbs are added to a decoction of Da Zao; taken once in the morning.
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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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