Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San

Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San

Alternative Name: Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi

Drug Composition:

• Arecae Pericarpium (Da Fu Pi): 30g (Areca Peel)

• Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Bai Zhi): 30g (Dahurian Angelica Root)

• Perillae Folium (Zi Su): 30g (Perilla Leaf)

• Poria (Fu Ling): 30g (A medicinal fungus, peel removed)

• Pinelliae Rhizoma Fermentatum (Ban Xia Qu): 60g (Fermented Pinellia Tuber)

• Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu): 60g (Large-headed Atractylodes Rhizome)

• Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen Pi): 60g (Aged Tangerine Peel, white pith removed)

• Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Hou Po): 60g (Magnolia Bark, coarse bark removed and processed with ginger juice)

• Platycodonis Radix (Ku Jie Geng): 60g (Platycodon Root)

• Pogostemonis Herba (Huo Xiang): 90g (Patchouli/Agastache, soil removed)

• Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao): 75g (Honey-fried Licorice Root)*

*Note: The provided text lists “艾草炙” (Ai Cao Zhi – Processed Mugwort), which is a deviation from the classic formula. The standard ingredient is “甘草” (Gan Cao – Licorice Root), typically honey-fried, in this proportion.

Method of Administration:

The traditional method is to grind the ingredients into a fine powder. For each dose, take 6 grams of the powder, add 200 ml of water, three slices of fresh ginger, and one jujube (Chinese date). Decoct together until the volume is reduced by about a third (to approx. 140 ml). The decoction should be consumed warm. To induce sweating, one can cover up with blankets after taking the medicine; a second dose can be prepared and taken if needed.

Modern preparations are widely available in various forms, including pills, capsules, liquid extracts, and granules, with specific dosage instructions for each form.

Functions:

This formula is one of the most well-known in Traditional Chinese Medicine for harmonizing the exterior and interior. Its primary functions are to release the exterior, transform dampness, regulate Qi, and harmonize the middle burner (the spleen and stomach).

It is indicated for patterns of externally contracted wind-cold combined with internal injury from dampness stagnation. Key symptoms include:

• Sudden turmoil disorder, with simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea (gastroenteritis).

• Fever and aversion to cold.

• Headache.

• A feeling of fullness and oppression in the chest.

• Pain in the epigastrium and abdomen.

• A white, greasy tongue coating.

• It is also used for malarial disorders arising from exposure to damp, foggy environments.

Source:

This formula originates from the classical Chinese medical text Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang (《太平惠民和剂局方》), “Imperial Grace Formulary of the Taiping Era”.