Xiang Su San
Star香苏散 (Cyperus and Perilla Leaf Powder)
Source: Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang — Imperial Medical Department (Song, 1078)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Xiang Su San (Cyperus and Perilla Leaf Powder), from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era) by Imperial Medical Department.
Actions: Regulates qi; Releases the exterior.
Presentation: Wind-cold factor at the exterior with qi stagnation in the interior: aversion to cold, fever, headache, absence of perspiration, fullness and distention of the chest and epigastrium, lack of appetite, a thin, white tongue coating, and a superficial pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 67.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zi Su Ye
co-chief with Xiang Fu; dose printed as 6-9g; as printed: Zi Su Ye (Folium Perillae) 120g [6-9g]
|
g | — | Jun (Chief) | Dispels exterior wind-cold and relieves chest congestion; harmonizes the middle jiao |
|
Xiang Fu
co-chief with Zi Su Ye; dose printed as 6-9g; as printed: Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi, chao (dry-fried)) 120g [6-9g]
|
g | — | Jun (Chief) | Activates qi circulation and relieves qi stagnation |
|
Chen Pi
dose printed as 3-6g; as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 60g [3-6g]
|
g | — | Helps Xiang Fu regulate qi and harmonize the middle jiao | |
|
Gan Cao
dose printed as 3-6g; as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 30g [3-6g]
|
g | — | Harmonizes the herbs and strengthens the middle jiao |
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.
Preparation
Source text: grind coarsely, cook 9g in one large bowl water to 70%, take warm in three doses through the day; or as fine powder 6g per dose with a pinch of salt. Today prepared as decoction with bracketed doses; a little Sheng Jiang and Cong Bai may be added to strengthen exterior release.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Jia Wei Xiang Su San = this formula + Ju Pi Tang + Jing Jie, Fang Feng, Man Jing Zi, Qin Jiao and Chuan Xiong
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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