Xu Ming Tang
Star续命汤 (Prolong Life Decoction)
Source: Wai Tai Mi Yao — Wang Tao
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Xu Ming Tang (Prolong Life Decoction), from the Wai Tai Mi Yao (Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library) by Wang Tao.
Actions: Dispels wind; Clears heat; Regulates qi; Nourishes the blood.
Presentation: Post-stroke sequelae: hemiplegia, muscle paralysis, inability to turn the body, slurred speech, confusion, numbness and pain in the body, muscle stiffness, and cramps (wind attacking the wei and ying levels).
Cautions:
- Per the source text, avoid Hai Zao (Sargassum) and Cong Bai (Herba Allii Fistulosi) while taking the formula.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 986.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ma Huang
as printed: Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) 9g
|
9g | 11.76% | releases the exterior and dispels wind from the wei level | |
|
Rou Gui
inner bark (gui xin); as printed: Gui Xin (Cortex Rasus Cinnamomi) 9g
|
9g | 11.76% | warms and opens the channels and collaterals | |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 9g
|
9g | 11.76% | warms and opens the channels and collaterals | |
|
Shi Gao
fen sui (pulverized); as printed: Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 9g
|
9g | 11.76% | clears heat; balances the heat of Gui Xin and Gan Jiang | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 9g
|
9g | 11.76% | tonifies qi and regulates qi circulation | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 9g
|
9g | 11.76% | tonifies and regulates qi; harmonizes the herbs | |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) 9g
|
9g | 11.76% | tonifies and regulates qi circulation | |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9g
|
9g | 11.76% | tonifies and regulates blood | |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 5.88% | tonifies and regulates blood |
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 (+0.76)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 12%, neutral 12%, warm 53%, hot 24%.
Taste
- pungent 41%
- sweet 35%
- bitter 24%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 71%
- Spleen 59%
- Heart 59%
- Stomach 35%
- Liver 29%
- Kidney 24%
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 to coarse powder; cook in 10 cups of water down to 4 cups; take 1 cup warm per dose until mild perspiration, then stop.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang + Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Gan Jiang, Ren Shen and Rou Gui
- This formula = San Ao Tang + Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang + Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Gan Jiang, Ren Shen and Rou Gui
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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