Zi Cao Gen Mu Li Tang
Star紫草根牡蛎汤 (Arnebia and Oyster Shell Decoction)
Source: Bai Rai Shin Shu — Tsursure Katakura (1787)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zi Cao Gen Mu Li Tang (Arnebia and Oyster Shell Decoction), from the Bai Rai Shin Shu (A New Study of Dermatomycosis and Dermatitis) by Tsursure Katakura.
Actions: Clears heat and eliminates toxins; Reduces swelling and disperses nodules and hardness.
Presentation: Malignant abscesses and sores: various types of abscesses, sores, nodules, hardness, and dermatological disorders of unknown origin.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1348.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zi Cao
as printed: Zi Cao (Radix Arnebiae) 3g
|
3g | 11.54% | clears heat and toxins from the blood; chronic stubborn infected sores | |
|
Jin Yin Hua
as printed: Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 5.77% | clears heat and toxins from the blood | |
|
Sheng Ma
as printed: Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) 2g
|
2g | 7.69% | raises and disperses yang qi, eliminates heat and toxins | |
|
Mu Li
as printed: Mu Li (Concha Ostreae) 4g
|
4g | 15.38% | softens hardness and disperses nodules | |
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 2g
|
2g | 7.69% | tonifies qi and promotes healing of suppurative disorders | |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 5g
|
5g | 19.23% | tonifies blood | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 3g
|
3g | 11.54% | tonifies blood | |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 3g
|
3g | 11.54% | tonifies blood, strengthens the body | |
|
Da Huang
as printed: Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 5.77% | drains damp-heat | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 1g
|
1g | 3.85% | harmonizes |
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 cool (-0.42)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 23%, cool 35%, neutral 4%, warm 39%.
Pairs warm and cool. 39% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 58% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Jin Yin Hua 1.5g (cold, 6% of the grams), Da Huang 1.5g (cold, 6% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 25%
- sweet 37%
- sour 6%
- bitter 12%
- salty 21%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 75%
- Spleen 56%
- Heart 56%
- Gallbladder 27%
- Lung 25%
- Stomach 23%
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
Source: cook in 5 cups water down to 2.5 cups; take warm in three divided doses daily. Today doses may be increased about 2-3 times.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Chuan Xiong, Jin Yin Hua, Mu Li, Sheng Ma and Zi Cao
- This formula = Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Chuan Xiong, Jin Yin Hua, Mu Li, Sheng Ma and Zi Cao
- This formula = Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang + Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Chuan Xiong, Jin Yin Hua, Mu Li, Sheng Ma and Zi Cao
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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