Xi Huang Wan
Star犀黄丸 (Cattle Gallstone Pill)
Source: Wai Ke Zheng Zhi Quan Sheng Ji — Wang Wei-De (Qing, 1740)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Xi Huang Wan (Cattle Gallstone Pill), from the Wai Ke Zheng Zhi Quan Sheng Ji (Complete Collection of Patterns and Treatments in External Medicine) by Wang Wei-De.
Actions: Eliminates toxins and reduces abscesses; Dissolves phlegm and disperses nodules; Activates blood circulation and dispels blood stasis.
Presentation: Yang-type abscesses and sores: breast cancer, buboes, scrofula, subcutaneous nodules, multiple abscesses, lung abscesses, and intestinal abscesses.
Cautions:
- Only for nodules and abscesses that are still hard; not for qi, yin and blood deficiency or for lesions already ulcerated and discharging pus (consumes zheng qi)
- Give only as pills (steady slow action; aromatic volatile ingredients lost in decoction)
- Not for prolonged use (acrid and drying)
- Contraindicated in pregnancy
- She Xiang (Moschus) comes from an endangered animal and is rarely used today
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1350.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Niu Huang
as printed: Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis) 0.9g [15g]
|
15g | 1.38% | clears heat, eliminates toxins, dissolves phlegm, disperses nodules | |
|
She Xiang
as printed: She Xiang (Moschus) 4.5g [75g]
|
75g | 6.88% | disperses and unblocks stagnation and nodules | |
|
Ru Xiang
as printed: Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum) 30g [500g]
|
500g | 45.87% | activates blood, dispels stasis, reduces swelling, relieves pain | |
|
Mo Yao
as printed: Mo Yao (Myrrha) 30g [500g]
|
500g | 45.87% | activates blood, dispels stasis, reduces swelling, relieves pain |
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 (+0.51)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 1%, neutral 46%, warm 53%.
Taste
- pungent 53%
- sweet 1%
- bitter 47%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Heart 100%
- Liver 100%
- Spleen 99%
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: fine powder formed into pills with mashed cooked rice, sun-dried (not baked); 9g per dose with aged grain liquor, before bed for upper-body disease, on an empty stomach for lower-body. Ru Xiang and Mo Yao have oil removed and are ground fine. Today (bracketed batch quantities): steam 350g rice with all ingredients except Niu Huang and She Xiang, oven-dry and powder; grind Niu Huang and She Xiang separately; mix, form water pills, dry in shade. Rice protects the Stomach; liquor enhances blood activation.
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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