XIE HUANG SAN

Spleen-Clearing & Fire-Purging • Heat-Draining & Stagnation-Resolving Formula

Symptoms

Mouth ulcers (painful, red, or yellow sores).

Bad breath (Halitosis) with a foul or "smoky" odor.

Bleeding gums or swollen, painful gums.

Constant hunger or a sensation of heat in the epigastrium.

Thirst for cold drinks.

Irritability and restlessness.

Tongue: Red body with a thick, yellow, and dry coating.

Pulse: Slippery (Hua) and rapid (Shuo).

Ingredients

Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum)
Raw Herbs 15g Granules 6.0g

Zhi Zi (Gardenia jasminoides)
Raw Herbs 3g Granules 1.2g

Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia divar.)
Raw Herbs 120g Granules 48.2g

Huo Xiang (Agastache rugosa)
Raw Herbs 21g Granules 8.4g

Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis)
Raw Herbs 90g Granules 6.2g

Posology

Granules
3 to 9g per day after main meals, diluted in hot water.

Raw Herbs
Boil in 1000–1200ml of water and drink 1 to 3 cups per day.

Description

Xie Huang San is unique because it treats "Latent Fire." It doesn't just "freeze" the heat; it "vents" it.

Shi Gao and Zhi Zi are the chief herbs; they are very cold and move downward to drain the actual Fire from the Spleen and Stomach.

Fang Feng is the deputy; while usually a "Wind" herb, here it "stirs the Spleen Qi," helping to "vent" the latent heat that is trapped in the Spleen's yin aspect.

Huo Xiang (Patchouli) is used for its aromatic property to awaken the Spleen and clear the "clogged" damp-heat that causes the bad breath.

Gan Cao harmonizes the formula and protects the Spleen/Stomach from the extreme cold of the mineral Shi Gao.

Contraindications

Contraindicated for Spleen Deficiency without heat (pale tongue, loose stools).

Not for use in cases of Yin Deficiency (dry mouth with no coating).

Avoid long-term use; discontinue once the mouth sores and bad breath have resolved.

Pregnancy: Use with caution due to the cold, downward-draining mineral content.