Xing Su San
Star杏苏散 (Apricot Kernel and Perilla Leaf Powder)
Source: Wen Bing Tiao Bian (1798)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Xing Su San (Apricot Kernel and Perilla Leaf Powder), from the Wen Bing Tiao Bian, is used to gently disperse cold-dryness; regulate Lung-Qi; transform phlegm.
Presentation: slight headache; chills; aversion to wind and cold; cough with thin sputum; nasal obstruction; dry nasal cavities; tongue: white, slightly dry coating; pulse: superficial, wiry.
Syndrome: Syndrome of external dryness - cold-dryness.
Composition strategy:
- Combines releasing the exterior, regulating Lung-Qi and transforming phlegm to address each aspect.
- Light herbs spread Qi and fluid without harming the fragile Lung.
- Jie Geng (ascending) and Xing Ren (descending) paired to regulate Lung-Qi.
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 352.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zi Su Ye
as printed: Zi Su Ye (Perillae folium)
|
6g | 10.53% | Jun (Chief) | mildly induce sweating, release cold-dryness from the exterior |
|
Qian Hu
as printed: Qian Hu (Peucedani radix)
|
6g | 10.53% | Jun (Chief) | descend Lung-Qi, expel wind, remove phlegm |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Xing Ren (Armeniacae semen)
|
6g | 10.53% | Chen (Deputy) | descend Lung-Qi, remove phlegm, stop cough |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Platycodi radix)
|
6g | 10.53% | Chen (Deputy) | disperse Lung-Qi upward, remove phlegm |
|
Zhi Ke
as printed: Zhi Ke (Aurantii fructus)
|
6g | 10.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | regulate Qi in the Upper-Jiao |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Pinelliae rhizoma)
|
6g | 10.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | dry dampness, transform phlegm |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Citri reticulatae pericarpium)
|
6g | 10.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | regulate Qi in the Upper-Jiao |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria)
|
6g | 10.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | dry dampness, transform phlegm |
|
Sheng Jiang
assistant and envoy; as printed: Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis rhizoma recens)
|
6g | 10.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | harmonize Nutritive-Yin and Defensive-Qi |
|
Da Zao
assistant and envoy; as printed: Da Zao (Jujubae fructus)
|
2pieces | 100% | Zuo (Assistant) | harmonize Nutritive-Yin and Defensive-Qi |
|
Gan Cao
assistant and envoy; as printed: Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae radix)
|
3g | 5.26% | Zuo (Assistant) | harmonize the formula |
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.
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 (+0.32)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 21%, neutral 26%, warm 53%.
Taste
- pungent 51%
- sweet 11%
- sour 4%
- bitter 30%
- bland 5%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Spleen 68%
- Stomach 47%
- Large intestine 32%
- Heart 16%
- Kidney 11%
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
Source text: grind into powder and take as a draft; today usually decocted.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 663.
Relationships
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Formula family
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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