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Apricot Kernel and Perilla Powder
杏苏散 〔杏蘇散〕 xìng sū sǎn
Source: Wēn Bìng Tiáo Biàn 温病条辨
Ingredients
- Xìng rén (杏仁 Armeniacae Semen, apricot kernel) 6g
- Zǐ sū yè (紫苏叶 Perillae Folium, perilla leaf) 3g
- Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) 6g
- Chén pí (陈皮 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, tangerine peel) 3g
- Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria) 6g
- Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) 1.5g
- Qián hú (前胡 Peucedani Radix, peucedanum [root]) 6g
- Jié gěng (桔梗 Platycodonis Radix, platycodon [root]) 3g
- Zhǐ ké (qiào) (枳壳 Aurantii Fructus, bitter orange) 3g
- Shēng jiāng (生姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, fresh ginger) 1g
- Dà zǎo (大枣 Jujubae Fructus, jujube) 1g
Actions: Disperses cold and transforms phlegm.
Indications: External contraction of wind-cold or dryness-cold causing cough with copious phlegm, mild headache, and nasal congestion. Tongue fur: White. Pulse: Stringlike.
Category: Dryness-eliminating formulas / External dryness formulas
Method: Decoct with water.
Rationale: Xìng rén is a warm, bitter, and moist agent that diffuses and downbears lung qì, transforms phlegm, and relieves cough. Zǐ sū yè resolves the exterior by its mild sweat-inducing action, its harsh dryness being counteracted by Xìng rén. Jié gěng opens the lung and dispels phlegm. Qián hú downbears qì and precipitates phlegm.
Variations:
- Severe
aversion to cold : Add Cōng bái (葱白 Allii Fistulosi Bulbus, scallion white) and Dàn dòu chǐ (淡豆豉 Sojae Semen Praeparatum, fermented soybean1). - Severe
cough : Zǐ wǎn (紫菀 Asteris Radix, aster [root]) and Kuǎn dōng huā (款冬花 Farfarae Flos, coltsfoot). Headache : Add Fáng fēng (防风 Saposhnikoviae Radix, saposhnikovia).
Similar: èr chén tāng (二陈汤 Two Matured Ingredients Decoction)
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