Xiang Sha Ping Wei San
Star香砂平胃散 (Cyperus and Amomum Powder to Calm the Stomach)
Source: Wan Bing Hui Chun — Gong Ting-Xian (Ming, 1587)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Xiang Sha Ping Wei San (Cyperus and Amomum Powder to Calm the Stomach), from the Wan Bing Hui Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian.
Actions: Harmonizes the middle jiao and resolves dampness; Regulates qi and reduces food stagnation.
Presentation: Spleen and Stomach disharmony: nausea, vomiting, belching, chest fullness and distention, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion.
Note: the book also describes a formula of the same name from Yi Zong Jin Jian (p. 1075). This record follows the Wan Bing Hui Chun version.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1073, 1075.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cang Zhu
as printed: Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis, zhi (prepared) with rice water) 6g
|
6g | 20.41% | dries dampness, strengthens the Spleen, stops diarrhea | |
|
Hou Po
as printed: Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis, chao (dry-fried) with ginger juice) 6g
|
6g | 20.41% | activates qi to disperse stagnation | |
|
Zhi Ke
as printed: Zhi Qiao (Fructus Citri Aurantii, chao (dry-fried) with bran) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 3.06% | activates qi to disperse stagnation | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 6g
|
6g | 20.41% | moves qi, dries dampness, eliminates phlegm | |
|
Sha Ren
as printed: Sha Ren (Fructus Amomi) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 5.1% | moves qi, dries dampness, eliminates phlegm | |
|
Xiang Fu
as printed: Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi, chao (dry-fried) with Tong Bian (Infantis Urina)) 3g
|
3g | 10.2% | soothes Liver qi and relieves pain | |
|
Mu Xiang
as printed: Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 5.1% | soothes Liver qi and relieves pain | |
|
Shan Zha
as printed: Shan Zha (Fructus Crataegi) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 3.06% | promotes digestion | |
|
Mai Ya
as printed: Mai Ya (Fructus Hordei Germinatus, chao (dry-fried)) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 3.06% | promotes digestion | |
|
Shen Qu
as printed: Shen Qu (Massa Fermentata, chao (dry-fried)) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 3.06% | promotes digestion | |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 3.06% | warms the middle jiao, relieves nausea | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 3.06% | relieves abdominal pain, harmonizes the herbs |
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 warm (+0.81)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 3%, neutral 16%, warm 78%, hot 3%.
Small but decisive: Gan Jiang 0.9g (hot, 3% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 47%
- sweet 13%
- sour 3%
- bitter 38%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Stomach 69%
- Lung 50%
- Liver 37%
- Large intestine 29%
- Heart 6%
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
Powder all except Mu Xiang; cook with 3 slices Sheng Jiang and a pinch of Lai Fu Zi in water; take the warm strained decoction with powdered Mu Xiang.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Xiao Ru Wan + Cang Zhu, Gan Jiang, Hou Po, Mu Xiang, Shan Zha and Zhi Ke
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.
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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