Xie Gan An Shen Wan
StarSource: Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Yao Dian
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Xie Gan An Shen Wan (Liver-Draining and Spirit-Calming Pill), from Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo Yao Dian).
Actions: Clear liver heat and drain fire, calm the mind with heavy sedatives
Indications: Indicated for the treatment of insomnia, profuse dreaming, and vexation caused by exuberance of liver fire and heart-spirit inquietude
Category: Formulas That Calm the Mind With Heavy Sedatives.
Source: Xi S, Gong Y. Essentials of Chinese Materia Medica and Medical Formulas: New Century Traditional Chinese Medicine. Academic Press/Elsevier, 2017, p. 638.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Long Dan Cao
as printed: Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae (long dan) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Radix Scutellariae (huang qin) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Zhi Zi
as printed: Fructus Gardeniae (zhi zi) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Zhen Zhu Mu
as printed: Concha Margaritiferae Usta (zhen zhu mu) 60 g
|
60g | 27.78% | — | |
|
Mu Li
as printed: Concha Ostreae (mu li) 15 g
|
15g | 6.94% | — | |
|
Long Gu
as printed: Os Draconis (long gu) 15 g
|
15g | 6.94% | — | |
|
Bai Zi Ren
as printed: Semen Platycladi (bai zi ren) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Suan Zao Ren
as printed: dry-fried Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (chao suan zao ren) 15 g
|
15g | 6.94% | — | |
|
Yuan Zhi
as printed: prepared Radix Polygalae (zhi yuan zhi) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Radix Angelicae Sinensis (dang gui) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Sheng Di Huang
as printed: Radix Rehmanniae (sheng di huang) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Mai Men Dong
as printed: Radix Ophiopogonis (mai dong) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Ji Li
as printed: Fructus Tribuli (ji li) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Poria (fu ling) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Che Qian Zi
as printed: Semen Plantaginis (che qian zi) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Ze Xie
as printed: Rhizoma Alismatis (ze xie) 9 g
|
9g | 4.17% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (gan cao) 3 g
|
3g | 1.39% | — |
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 (-1.08)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 57%, cool 7%, neutral 24%, warm 13%.
Small but decisive: Long Dan Cao 9g (cold, 4% of the grams), Huang Qin 9g (cold, 4% of the grams), Zhi Zi 9g (cold, 4% of the grams), Sheng Di Huang 9g (cold, 4% of the grams), Mai Men Dong 9g (cold, 4% of the grams), Che Qian Zi 9g (cold, 4% of the grams), Ze Xie 9g (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 42%
- sour 4%
- bitter 21%
- salty 21%
- bland 6%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Heart 83%
- Liver 69%
- Kidney 39%
- Lung 26%
- Gallbladder 22%
- Spleen 18%
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
Grind the ingredients into powder and make into water pills, and take 6 g each time, 2 times a day
Relationships
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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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