Yi Yuan San
Star益元散 (Benefit the Basal Powder)
Source: Shang Han Zhi Ge Fang Lun — Liu Yuan-Su (Jin, 1470)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Yi Yuan San (Benefit the Basal Powder), from the Shang Han Zhi Ge Fang Lun (Direct Investigations of Formulas for Cold-Induced Disorders) by Liu Yuan-Su — a variation of Liu Yi San.
Actions: Dispels summer-heat and dampness; Tranquilizes the shen.
Presentation: Summer-heat and dampness complicated by palpitations, insomnia, and excessive dreaming.
Composition: Liu Yi San plus Zhu Sha (and taken with a Deng Xin Cao decoction)
Cautions:
- Zhu Sha (Cinnabaris) is a potentially toxic heavy metal, rarely used today; included for academic/historical purposes, and most products remove or substitute it
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 443.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hua Shi
printed dose 180g (no single modern dose); as printed: Hua Shi (Talcum) 180g
|
g | — | — | |
|
Gan Cao
printed dose 30g (no single modern dose); as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 30g
|
g | — | — | |
|
Zhu Sha
as printed: Zhu Sha (Cinnabaris) [9g]
|
9g | 100% | clears Heart fire and calms the shen |
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 (-1.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 100%.
Taste
- sweet 100%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Heart 100%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
2 herbs without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Hua Shi, Gan Cao.
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: grind to fine powder; take 6g with warm water or a decoction of Deng Xin Cao (Medulla Junci).
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Zi Xue Dan = this formula + Ling Xi Bai Hu Tang + She Xiang, Han Shui Shi, Sheng Ma, Shi Gao, Xuan Shen, Chen Xiang, Ci Shi, Ding Xiang, Mang Xiao, Xiao Shi and Qing Mu Xiang
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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