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Prescription for Ventilating the Lung to Dispel Dryness

Xing Su San (杏苏散): Classic TCM Formula

杏苏散
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

Apricot Kernel and Perilla Powder

The Prescription of 杏苏散

Source

The book Wen Bing Tiao Bian

Ingredients

Su Ye (Folium Perillae) 6 g,Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 6 g,Fu Ling (Poria) 6 g,Qian Hu (Radix Peucedani) 6 g,Jie Geng (Radix Platycodi) 6 g,Zhi Qiao (Fructus Aurantii) 6 g,Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 6 g,Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 6 g,Ju Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 6 g,Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) 6 g,Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 2 dates.

Explanation

Su Ye and Qian Hu: Inducing diaphoresis to dispel pathogens.

Xing Ren and Jie Geng: Facilitating the flow of the lung-Qi.

Ban Xia and Fu Ling: Removing dampness and resolving phlegm.

Zhi Qiao and Ju Pi: Regulating Qi and relieving the chest stuffiness.

Sheng Jiang, Da Zao and Gan Cao: Regulating Ying and Wei.

The Effect of 杏苏散

Effect

Ventilating the lung to dispel dryness with drugs warm and moist in nature, facilitating the flow of the lung-Qi to remove phlegm. .

Indications

Cool-dryness-syndrome manifested as mild headache, aversion to cold without sweet, cough with dilute sputum, stuffy nose, dry throat, whitish tongue coating and taut pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis and pulmonary emphysema.

Administrations

Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken twice.

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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.

Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.

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