Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
藿香正气散 · Huò Xiāng Zhèng Qì Sǎn
A classical formula for external Wind-Cold combined with internal dampness or summer-damp, presenting with chills, fever, headache, chest tightness, epigastric fullness, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. Widely used for gastrointestinal upset from external contraction or damp turbidity.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Dampness-Draining Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Dampness
- Primary Function
- Release exterior, transform dampness, regulate Qi, harmonize Middle
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Release the exterior, transform dampness, regulate Qi and harmonize the Middle Jiao
- Classical Source
- Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Song dynasty, 1107)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for external Wind-Cold combined with internal dampness or summer-damp, presenting with chills, fever, headache, chest tightness, epigastric fullness, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. Widely used for gastrointestinal upset from external contraction or damp turbidity.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when external Wind-Cold coincides with internal dampness — chills, fullness, nausea and loose stools — combining exterior release with aromatic damp-transforming action, broader than the purely interior Ping Wei San.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
半夏Ban Xia9g
Pinellia Rhizome- rectifies qi and dries dampness harmonize the stomach and directs counterflow downward to arrest vomiting
大腹皮Da Fu Pi9g
Areca Peel / Betel Husk- moves qi and remove dampness
- promotes qi to remove stagnation in the middle jiao
- expels dampness by diffusing qi
厚樸Hou Po6g
Magnolia Bark- moves qi and dries dampness
蒼朮Cang Zhu6g
Atractylodes Rhizome- dries dampness
- fortifies the spleen and dispels wind-damp
陳皮Chen Pi6g
Tangerine Peel- regulates middle qi
- dries dampness and directs counterflow downward
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen
- leaches dampness and quiets the heart
桔梗Jie Geng6g
Platycodon Root- disperses the lung and relaxes the diaphragm beneficial for releasing the exterior and removing dampness
生薑Sheng Jiang3g
Fresh Ginger- regulates the spleen and stomach internally harmonize ying and wei externally
大棗Da Zao2 pieces
Jujube / Chinese Date- harmonizes and nourishes
Classical Composition
- Arecae Pericarpium (Da Fu Pi) 1 liang (30g)
- Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Bai Zhi) 1 liang (30g)
- Perillae Folium (Zi Su Ye) 1 liang (30g)
- Poria (Fu Ling) 1 liang (30g)
- Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia qu) 2 liang (60g)
- Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu) 2 liang (60g)
- Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen Pi) 2 liang (60g)
- Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Hou Po processed with ginger juice) 2 liang (60g)
- Platycodonis Radix (Jie Geng
- processed with ginger juice) 2 liang (60g)
- Agastachis Herba (Huo Xiang) 3 liang (90g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 2.5 liang (75g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Releases the exterior and removes dampness
- rectifies qi and harmonizes the center.
Indications
- Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San is indicated for the contraction of exogenous wind-cold and internal damage by internal dampness.
- The symptoms include aversion to co1d with fever, headache, chest and diaphragm distension and depression, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bowel sounds and diarrhea.
- It can also be used to treat conditions that are contracted from the clouds and mists in the mountains, malaria, etc.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue has a white, greasy tongue coating.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern, commonly seen in summer, is caused by externally contracted wind-cold and internal damage by dampness.
- This formula may also be applied to patients who have contracted a similar condition from the clouds and mists in the mountains, malaria, and inability to acclimate.
Clinical presentation
- Wind-cold contraction in the exterior obstructs wei yang and leads to exterior patterns marked by aversion to cold and fever.
- Internal damage by dampness in the middle jiao leads to spleen-stomach disharmony and disturbance of ascending and descending marked by vomiting and diarrhea.
- Qi stagnation due to blockage of dampness is marked by distension and depression of the chest and diaphragm as well as abdominal pain.
Treatment strategy
- The proper therapeutic method is to dispel wind-cold externally and remove damp-turbidity internally in combination with methods that rectify qi and harmonize the center.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San addresses exterior Cold with internal dampness and Qi stagnation. Ping Wei San is more purely interior damp turbidity without exterior release. Bao He Wan focuses on food stagnation. Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang tonifies Spleen Qi while moving Qi.
Clinical Differentiation
- Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San is the common formula used to treat exterior wind-cold and internal damage by dampness accumulation.
- This clinical pattern is marked by aversion to wind with fever, vomiting and diarrhea, white and greasy tongue coating.
Safety notes: This formula has a powerful effect to remove dampness and to harmonize the stomach and a mild effect to release the exterior and dissipate cold. After taking it, one should cover up with an extra layer to help release the exterior. It is not applicable for vomiting and diarrhea caused by damp-heat.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San?
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San has the actions of releasing the exterior, transforming Dampness, regulating Qi, and harmonizing the Middle Jiao. It simultaneously addresses exterior Wind-Cold and interior turbid Dampness obstructing the Spleen and Stomach.
Which modern diseases is Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within exterior Wind-Cold with interior Damp stagnation, including acute gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal-type cold or “stomach flu,” summer colds with digestive symptoms, motion sickness, and certain cases of heatstroke with Damp signs.
Is Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San suitable for improving chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea together?
For presentations of aversion to cold with fever or headache, chest or epigastric fullness and oppression, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea, and a white greasy tongue coating — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms exterior Wind-Cold with interior Dampness — TCM commonly applies Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
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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.