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Prescriptions for Treating Carbuncles and Abscess

Tou Nong San (透脓散)

Tounong San 透膿散
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

Powder for Expelling Pus

The Prescription of 透脓散

Source

The book Wai Ke Zheng Zong

Ingredients

Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 12 g,Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 6 g,Chuan Shan Jia (Squama Manitis) 3 g,Zao Jiao Ci (Spina Gleditsiae) 5 g,Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 9 g.

Explanation

Huang Qi: The principal drug, being sweet in flavor and slightly warm in nature, invigorating Qi and expelling pus.

Dang Gui and Chuan Xiong: Nourishing blood and promoting its circulation.

Chuan Shan Jia and Zao Jiao Ci: Clearing away heat and promoting the flow of Qi, softening masses and expelling pus.

Small amount of liquor: Helping promote the flow of blood.

The Effect of 透脓散

Effect

Expelling toxins and pus.

Indications

Syndrome due to inability to expel pus resulting from deficiency of vital-Qi, marked by swollen and painful carbuncle of abscess with pus formed and without festering and pus-spot or with severe distention and burning-pain; including various kinds of pyogenic infections with the above symptoms and signs.

Administrations

All the ingredients are decocted in water for the decoction. The decoction is divided into 2 portions, 1 portion is taken, or mixed with a small cup of liquor and then taken each time.

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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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