Traditional Chinese Medicine Healing Herbs(TCMHH)

Prescriptions for Consolidating the Superficies to Stop Sweating

Mu Li San (牡蛎散)

Muli San 牡蠣散
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

Oyster Shell Powder

The Prescription of 牡蛎散

Source

The book Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang

Ingredients

Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 30 g,Ma Huang Gen (Radix Ephedrae) 30 g,Mu Li (Concha Ostreae) 30 g,Xiao Mai (Fructus Tritici Levis) 30 g.

Explanation

Mu Li: The principal drug, replenishing Yin, suppressing the hyperactivies of Yang, relieving restlessness and astringing sweating.

Huang Qi: Invigorating Qi to consolidate the superficial resistance.

Ma Huang Gen: Arresting perspiration specially.

Xiao Mai: Invigorating the heart-Qi, replenishing the heart-Yin, stopping sweating.

The Effect of 牡蛎散

Effect

Consolidating the superficial resistance and stopping sweating.

Indications

Syndrome of spontaneous sweating due to floating of Yang, marked by frequent perspiration, severe night sweating lasting longer, palpitation, inclination to be frightened, pale tongue with whitish coating, and thready weak pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as spontaneous sweating and night sweat due to disturbance of the vegetative nerve function and night sweati due to tuberculosis.

Administrations

The first 3 ingredients are ground into coarse powder. 9 g of the powder is taken with the decoction of 30 g of Xiao Mai each time, twice daily. Or the first 3 ingredients are properly reduced and decocted in water with 30 g of Xiao Mai for decoction be taken orally.

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Sources and further reading

We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.

  • Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
  • Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
  • Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
  • NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.

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