XING SU SAN

Formulas that Release Exterior Cool-Dryness
Disperse Cold-Dryness • Moisten Lungs • Stop Cough

Xing Su San is used to release cool-dryness from the exterior and regulate Lung Qi, particularly in early autumn or dry conditions. It relieves cough, nasal congestion, and dryness in the respiratory tract.

 Symptoms

Cough with scanty, sticky sputum

Dry throat or mouth

Chills without sweating

Slight headache

Nasal congestion

Pale tongue with thin white coating

Wiry or floating pulse

Ingredients

Jie Geng (Platycodi Radix)
Raw Herbs: 6g              Granulates: 10.8g

Fu Ling (Poria)
Raw Herbs: 6g              Granulates: 10.7g

Ban Xia Jiang (Pinelliae Rhizoma preparatum)
Raw Herbs: 6g              Granulates: 10.7g

Zi Su Ye (Perillae Folium)
Raw Herbs: 6g              Granulates: 10.7g

Gan Cao (Sheng) (Glycyrrhizae Radix)
Raw Herbs: 6g              Granulates: 10.7g

Sheng Zhi Qiao (Jujubae Fructus)
Raw Herbs: 6g              Granulates: 10.7g

Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus)
Raw Herbs: 2g              Granulates: 3.6g

Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium)
Raw Herbs: 6g              Granulates: 10.7g

Ku Xing Ren (Pruni Semen)
Raw Herbs: 6g              Granulates: 10.7g

Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma recens)
                                      Granulates: 10.8g

Description

Xing Su San treats exterior cold-dryness invading the Lungs, disrupting the descending and dispersing functions of Lung Qi and causing coughing with scanty sputum.

Jie Geng guides the formula to the Lungs, promotes dispersal of Lung Qi, and relieves cough.

Ban Xia Jiang transforms phlegm and stops coughing.

Zi Su Ye disperses cold, releases the exterior, and alleviates chills.

Ku Xing Ren stops cough and descends Lung Qi.

Chen Pi regulates Qi, harmonizes the middle burner, and prevents stagnation from phlegm.

Fu Ling strengthens the Spleen, supports fluid metabolism, and resolves dampness.

Gan Cao (Sheng) harmonizes the formula and soothes the throat.

Sheng Zhu Qiao, Da Zao nourish fluids and Qi, preventing excessive dryness and relieves bloating and distension, and directs rebellious Qi downward.

Sheng Jiang releases the exterior, warms the Lungs, and prevents cold from blocking Lung Qi.

The combination of these herbs moistens dryness, disperses Lung Qi, stops cough, and harmonizes the middle and upper burners, making it suitable for early-stage dry-cold respiratory conditions.

Posology

Granules
3–9g daily, divided into 1–2 doses, taken warm.

Raw Herbs
Decoct 500–800ml of water down to 200–300ml; drink 1–2 cups daily.

Contraindications

Not recommended for coughs due to damp-heat or phlegm-heat in the Lungs.

Avoid in patients with Yin deficiency heat without external cold-dryness.

Use with caution in chronic respiratory weakness.