Xiao-Yao-San

Chinese Herbal Formulas That Harmonizes Liver and Spleen

Xiao Yao San  -  Rambling Powder

Main Actions for Xiao Yao San

This chinese medicine herbal formula is to regulate the liver Qi, tonify the spleen and nourish blood.  The formula is best suited for liver Qi stagnation with concomitant blood deficiency.  When the liver Qi is stagnated it’s control over the spleen becomes excessive  creating spleen deficiency and therefore blood deficiency.

Indications and Symptoms for Xiao Yao San

hypochondriac pain, headache, vertigo, bitter taste in the mouth, dry mouth, dry throat, fatigue, poor appetite, irregular menstruation, distended breasts, alternating fever and chills

Tongue – pale red body

Pulse – wiry, deficient

Medicinal Ingredients of Xiao Yao San

Chai Hu   Radix Bupleuri, Hare’s Ear Root, Thorowax Root) - 9g.

-relieves liver stagnation

Dang Gui   (Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Chinese Angelica Root, tang-kuei) - 9g.

-nourish blood

Bai ShaoYao  (Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae, White Peony Root, Peony) - 9g.

-nourish blood

Bai Zhu   (Rhizoma Atractyloids Macrocephaelae, Atractylodes Rhizome) - 9g.

-tonify spleen

Fu Ling   (Sclertium Poriae Cocos, China-root, Poria, Hoelen) - 9g.

-tonify spleen, drain dampness

Zhi Gan Cao   (Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis, Licorice Root) - 6g.

-tonify spleen, harmonize herbs in formula, relieves abdominal spasm

Preparation Instructions of Xiao Yao San

This natural formula should have all it’s ingredients ground into a fine powder and taken as a draft in 6-9 gram doses with 6 grams of roasted Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis Recnes (Wei Jiang) and 3 grams of Herba Mentha Haplocalycis (Bo He). 

Additional Points on Xiao Yao San

Xiao Yao San is a modified TCM herbal formula originating from Si Ni San (Frigid Extremities Powder). 

With the appropriate symptoms present Xiao Yao San is able to treat such diseases as hepatitis, pleurisy, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, anemia, uterine bleedinjg, menopause, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), fibrocystic breasts, neurasthenia, optic nerve atrophy and central retinitis. 

A modified version of Xiao Yao San used in Gynecology is Kai Yu Zhong Yu Tang

(Opening Stagnation and Growing Jade Decoction )