Dao Chi San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
导赤散 · Dǎo Chì Sàn
A classical formula for Heart fire transmitting to the Small Intestine, with irritability, mouth sores, dark scanty urine and a red tongue tip.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Heart Fire
- Primary Function
- Clear Heart fire, promote urination
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear heat from the Heart channel and guide it out through the urine
- Classical Source
- Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue (Qian Yi, Song dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for Heart fire transmitting to the Small Intestine, with irritability, mouth sores, dark scanty urine and a red tongue tip.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for Heart fire with dark urine or mouth sores — guiding heat downward through urine, rather than Blood-cooling lin formulas or Liver-damp-heat draining.
Composition
(Sovereign / Minister / Assistant / Envoy)
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Dao Chi San | Xiao Ji Yin Zi | Ba Zheng San | Long Dan Xie Gan Tang |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Clear Heart fire, promote urination | Cool Blood, stop bleeding, promote urination | Clear heat, drain damp, promote urination, unblock lin | Clear Liver Fire, drain Damp-Heat |
| Formula Category | Heat-Clearing Formulas | Heat-Clearing Formulas | Heat-Clearing Formulas | Heat-Clearing Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Heart Fire | Blood Stasis | Damp-Heat | Liver Fire |
| Main Conditions | Frequent Urination ·Dry Mouth & Throat ·Anxiety Restlessness ·Insomnia | Frequent Urination ·Abdominal Pain ·Dry Mouth & Throat | Frequent Urination ·Abdominal Pain ·Dry Mouth & Throat ·Constipation | Bitter Taste in Mouth ·Damp-Heat Constitution |
| Main Herbs | Raw Rehmannia Root ·Akebia Stem ·Lophatherum / Bamboo Leaf ·Licorice Root | Field Thistle ·Lotus Rhizome Node ·Cattail Pollen ·Talcum ·Akebia Stem | Plantago Seed ·Dianthus ·Knotweed ·Talcum ·Gardenia Fruit | Gentian Root ·Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap ·Gardenia Fruit ·Alisma Rhizome ·Akebia Stem |
| Classical Source | Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue (Qian Yi, Song dynasty) | Ji Sheng Fang (Yan Yonghe, Song dynasty) | Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Song dynasty) | Yi Fang Ji Jie (Analytic Collection of Medical Formulas, Wang Ang, Qing dynasty) |
Clinical Perspective
Dao Chi San clears Heart fire via urination. Xiao Ji Yin Zi cools Blood for urinary bleeding. Ba Zheng San drains damp-heat for painful urinary dysfunction. Long Dan Xie Gan Tang drains Liver-Gallbladder damp-heat.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Related Articles
Dao Chi San: Classic TCM Formula for Heart Fire, Mouth Sores, Irritability & Painful Urination
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Hoi Tin Dao Chi San (Guide Out the Red Powder) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Nong's Dao Chi San (Rehmannia & Lophatherum Combination) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.