Xanthium Powder
Chinese Prescription: Cang Er Zi San
English Translation: Xanthium Powder
Formula Type: Release Exterior Disorders with Head and Neck Symptoms
Actions: Disperses wind, alleviates pain, & unblocks the nose.
Indications: Copious, purulent, & even foul-smelling nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, dizziness, frontal headache, a normal or thin, white or greasy, white tongue coating. This condition is known as 'deep-source nasal congestion' or 'seepage from the brain.' It usually appears after an unresolved case of the common cold where an external wind pathogren remains in the body & obstructs the protective qi.
Contraindications: Unknown.
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Cang Er Zi / Xanthium Seed |
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Taste: Sweet, Slightly Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Disperses wind & dispels dampness: for wind-damp painful obstruction or skin disorders with itching.
2. Opens the nasal passages: for any nasal or sinus problem with a thick, viscous discharge & related headache.
3. Dispels exterior wind: as an auxiliary herb for exterior disorders with a splitting headache that radiates to the back of the neck. |
MeridiansLung |
CautionsContraindicated for headache or painful obstruction due to blood deficiency. Overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, &/or abdominal pain. Toxic: The toxic ingredients of cang er zi are changed by decoction & are not significantly present in the herb after it has been decocted or subjected to high heat. |
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Xin Yi Hua / Magnolia Liliflora Flower |
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
ActionsExpels wind-cold & unblock the nasal passages: for nasal obstruction or cnogestion, nasal discharge, loss of sense of smell, sinus problems, or related headache. While primarily used for problems due to wind-cold, it can also be used for any nasal or sinus condition, depending on the other herbs in the prescription. |
MeridiansLung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with heat from yin deficiency. Overdose may cause dizziness or redness of the eyes. |
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Bai Zhi / Angelica Root (Dahurica) |
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Expels wind & alleviates pain: for patterns of externally contracted wind-cold, especially those with headache. Also for supraorbital pain, nasal congestion & toothaches. While primarily a warming herb, it can be used for any problem due to wind invading the yang brightness channels of the head.
2. Reduces swelling & expels pus: for early stages of surface sores & carbuncles. If the sore, ulcer, or carbuncle has not yet suppurated, this herb will help reduce the swelling. If pus has already formed or the sore has ulcerates, the herb can be used to help discourage the pus.
3. Expels dampness & alleviates discharge: usually for vaginal discharge due to damp-cold in the lower burner, but with the appropriate herbs can also be used to treat vaginal discharge from damp-heat.
4. Opens up the nasal passages: for sinus congestion. |
MeridiansLung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of blood or yin deficiency because it is very drying. Use with caution if pus drains smoothly from sores. Some traditional sources say that this herb antagonizes xuan fu hua. |
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Bo He / Field Mint, Mentha leaves |
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Cooling • Category: Exterior Releasing - Cool • Sub Category: Aromatic |
Dosage1.5-6g |
Actions1. Disperses wind-heat: for patterns of wind-heat with fever, headache, & cough.
2. Clears the head & eyes & benefits the throat: for patterns of wind-heat with sore throat, red eyes, & headache.
3. Vents rashes: used in the early stages of rashes (such as measles) to induce the rash to come to the surface & thereby speed recovery.
4. Allows constrained Liver qi to flow freely: for constrained Liver qi with such symptoms as pressure in the chest or flanks, emotional instability, & gynecological problems. |
MeridiansLung, Liver |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of exterior deficiency, or yin deficiency with heat signs. Not recommended for nursing mothers as this herb may lead to insufficient lactation. |