Sheng Mai San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
生脉散 · Shēng Mài Sàn
A classical three-herb formula for Qi and Yin deficiency with shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, dry mouth and a weak thin pulse, often after summer-heat or chronic illness.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Qi-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Qi Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Tonify Qi, generate fluids, astringe Yin
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Augment Qi, nourish Yin and secure leaking fluids
- Classical Source
- Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun (Li Dongyuan) / Yi Xue Qi Yuan
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical three-herb formula for Qi and Yin deficiency with shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, dry mouth and a weak thin pulse, often after summer-heat or chronic illness.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for clear Qi-Yin dual deficiency with sweating and thirst — a pure generating and astringing formula rather than summer-clearing or Middle-raising ones.
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/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
Classical Composition
- Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shan) 5 fen (9g)
- Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Men Dong) 5 fen (9g)
- Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (Wu Wei Zi) 7 pieces (6g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Boosts qi and promotes fluid production; astringes yin and arrests sweating.
Indications
- 1.
- Qi and yin consumption due to warm-heat or summerheat invasion.
- The clinical manifestations include profuse sweating, mental fatigue, general sluggish sensation, lack of strength, weak breathing, reluctance to speak, dry throat, and thirst.
- Deficiency of both qi and yin due to a prolonged cough.
- The clinical manifestations include a dry cough with little expectoration, weak breathing, spontaneous sweating, and a dry mouth.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red and dry with a scanty coating and the pulse is deficient and rapid. 2. The tongue is dry and the pulse is deficient and thready.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Sheng Mai San is indicated for deficiency of both qi and yin.
- The deficiency pattern may follow a warm-heat or summer-heat attack or caused by a chronic cough.
- When warm-heat or summer-heat attacks the body, there will be a loss of fluids due to sweating which can easily lead to qi and fluid deficiency.
- The lung governs the skin and body hair.
- Summer-heat impairs the lung qi.
- The lung qi fails to control the pores and protect the exterior of the body.
- Weak breathing and reluctance to speak are caused by lung qi impairment, as it governs the qi.
- Profuse sweating consumes body fluids, as a result, there is not enough fluid to nourish the throat; therefore; thirst and dry throat occur.
- Long term cough will damage the lung and cause qi and yin deficiency with the same manifestations.
- The treatment principle is to boost qi, nourish yin, and promote fluid production.
Clinical presentation
- The result is fluid leakage that manifests as profuse sweating.
- Mental fatigue, lack of strength, and the tongue and pulse manifestations are all signs of qi and yin consumption.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to augment Qi, nourish Yin and secure leaking fluids.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Sheng Mai San tonifies Qi-Yin and astringes. Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang clears summer-heat while benefiting Qi. Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang clears residual heat and generates fluids. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang raises Middle Qi without strong fluid generation.
Clinical Differentiation
- Sheng Mai San is a basic formula applicable to deficiency of both qi and yin.
- This clinical pattern is marked by mental fatigue, shortness of breath, dry throat, red tongue, deficient pulse.
Safety notes: It is inappropriate for patterns accompanied with invasion of external pathogens or for summerheat attack without qi and yin deficiency. For qi and yin deficiency due to chronic cough pattern, it is only appropriate for pure deficiency without excess complications.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Sheng Mai San?
Sheng Mai San has the actions of tonifying Qi, nourishing Yin, generating fluids, and astringing the Lung to stop sweating. It is the classic three-herb formula for restoring Qi and Yin, particularly of the Lungs and Heart, and for “generating the pulse” when Qi and fluids have been depleted.
Which modern diseases is Sheng Mai San suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Qi and Yin deficiency, including chronic bronchitis or COPD of Qi-Yin deficiency type, certain cardiac conditions with palpitations or weakness (arrhythmia, post-myocardial infarction recovery, or heart failure of deficiency pattern), recovery after febrile illness or summerheat exhaustion, and general debility with spontaneous sweating and shortness of breath.
Is Sheng Mai San suitable for improving shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, and dry mouth after illness or overexertion?
For presentations of shortness of breath, fatigue, spontaneous sweating (especially with exertion), dry mouth and throat, thirst, a dry red tongue with little coating, and a weak or thready pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Qi and Yin deficiency — TCM commonly applies Sheng Mai San as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment of cardiac or respiratory conditions.
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Sheng Mai San: Classic TCM Formula for Qi & Yin Deficiency, Fatigue & Shortness of Breath
Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Residual Heat, Qi & Yin Damage After Febrile Disease
Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Summer-Heat Damaging Qi & Fluids
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Spleen Qi Deficiency & Middle Qi Sinking
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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.