Zai Zao San
Star再造散 (Renewal Powder)
Source: Shang Han Liu Shu — Tao Hua (Ming, 1445)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zai Zao San (Renewal Powder), from the Shang Han Liu Shu (Six Texts on Cold-Induced Disorders) by Tao Hua.
Actions: Strengthens yang and benefits qi; Releases the exterior and induces diaphoresis.
Presentation: Exterior wind-cold with yang qi deficiency: headache, severe aversion to cold, mild fever, absence of perspiration, cold limbs, lassitude, drowsiness, preference for resting, a pale face, a low voice, a pale tongue with a thin, white coating, and a deep and forceless, or superficial, big and forceless pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 130.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) [6g]
|
6g | 17.91% | Jun (Chief) | tonifies qi and consolidates the exterior; prevents yang collapse from sweating |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) [3g]
|
3g | 8.96% | Jun (Chief) | tonifies qi and consolidates the exterior |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) [3g]
|
3g | 8.96% | Chen (Deputy) | releases the exterior, strengthens yang, disperses cold |
|
Zhi Fu Zi
as printed: Fu Zi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) [3g]
|
3g | 8.96% | Chen (Deputy) | releases the exterior, strengthens yang, disperses cold |
|
Xi Xin
as printed: Xi Xin (Radix et Rhizoma Asari) [2g]
|
2g | 5.97% | Chen (Deputy) | releases the exterior, strengthens yang, disperses cold |
|
Qiang Huo
as printed: Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii) [3g]
|
3g | 8.96% | Zuo (Assistant) | dispels exterior wind-cold |
|
Fang Feng
as printed: Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) [3g]
|
3g | 8.96% | Zuo (Assistant) | dispels exterior wind-cold |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) [3g]
|
3g | 8.96% | Zuo (Assistant) | dispels exterior wind-cold |
|
Sheng Jiang
wei (roasted); as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) [3g]
|
3g | 8.96% | Shi (Envoy) | with Da Zao warms and nourishes the Spleen and Stomach |
|
Da Zao
listed in preparation text, not in composition table; printed dose 2 pieces (no single modern dose); as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 2 pieces
|
g | — | Shi (Envoy) | with roasted Sheng Jiang warms and nourishes the Spleen and Stomach |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) [1.5g]
|
1.5g | 4.48% | moderates the formula and prevents excessive sweating | |
|
Chi Shao
dry-fried; added at the end per preparation text; as printed: Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) a small amount [3g]
|
3g | 8.96% | restrains the warm herbs from injuring blood and fluids without hindering sweating |
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 (+0.87)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 9%, neutral 5%, warm 78%, hot 9%.
Small but decisive: Zhi Fu Zi 3g (hot, 9% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 42%
- sweet 40%
- sour 5%
- bitter 13%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 58%
- Lung 55%
- Heart 37%
- Kidney 33%
- Liver 27%
- Stomach 13%
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
Cook with 2 pieces Da Zao in 2 large bowls of water down to 1 large bowl; add a small amount [3g] of dry-fried Chi Shao and boil 3 times; take warm, strained. Source gives no doses; bracketed doses are suggestions.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Gui Zhi Tang without Bai Shao + Qi Fu Tang + Shen Fu Tang + Xi Xin, Chuan Xiong, Fang Feng, Qiang Huo and Chi Shao
- This formula = Qi Fu Tang + Gui Zhi Tang + Shen Fu Tang + Xi Xin, Chuan Xiong, Fang Feng, Qiang Huo and Chi Shao
- This formula = Shen Fu Tang + Gui Zhi Tang + Qi Fu Tang + Xi Xin, Chuan Xiong, Fang Feng, Qiang Huo and Chi Shao
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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