Xiang Sha Ping Wei San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
香砂平胃散 · Xiāng Shā Píng Wèi Sǎn
Ping Wei San with Mu Xiang and Sha Ren for damp stagnation with fullness.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Dampness-Draining Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Dampness
- Primary Function
- Dry dampness, move qi, harmonize the stomach
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Dry dampness, move qi, harmonize the stomach
- Classical Source
- Later digestive formula based on Ping Wei San
- Available as Granules
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Formula Overview
Ping Wei San with Mu Xiang and Sha Ren for damp stagnation with fullness.
Therapeutic Principle
Selected for damp stagnation with qi obstruction — fullness and belching — rather than pure damp or spleen-qi deficiency.
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
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cang Zhu) 9g
- Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Hou Po) 6g
- Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen Pi) 6g
- Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata (Zhi Gan Cao) 3g
- Aucklandiae Radix (Mu Xiang) 6g
- Amomi Fructus (Sha Ren) 5g. Ping Wei San plus Mu Xiang and Sha Ren.
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Ping Wei San plus Mu Xiang and Sha Ren for dampness with qi stagnation.
Indications
- Damp stagnation with qi obstruction.
- Epigastric fullness, poor appetite, belching, white greasy coating.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Damp stagnation with qi obstruction.
- The middle fails to transform and qi does not move.
Clinical presentation
Tongue & pulseEpigastric fullness, poor appetite, belching, white greasy coating, slippery pulse.
Treatment strategy
- Dry dampness, move qi, harmonize the stomach.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Xiang Sha Ping Wei San, Ping Wei San and Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang address the middle. Ping Wei San dries damp. Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang tonifies spleen qi and moves qi. This formula dries damp and moves qi without tonifying.
Clinical Differentiation
- Used for damp stagnation with marked qi obstruction.
- Key points: fullness, belching, greasy coating.
- Distinct from Ping Wei San without qi-moving herbs and from spleen-qi deficiency formulas.
Safety notes: Drying and qi-moving; not appropriate for yin deficiency heat or for pure spleen-qi deficiency without damp.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Xiang Sha Ping Wei San? Are Ping Wei San and Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang the same?
Xiang Sha Ping Wei San (香砂平胃散) is a classic formula, centered on drying dampness, moving the Spleen, promoting qi and harmonizing the Stomach for dampness obstructing the Spleen-Stomach with epigastric and abdominal distention, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting. Ping Wei San dries dampness and moves the Spleen, leaning to dampness stagnating the middle burner without Mu Xiang and Sha Ren. Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang tonifies qi, strengthens the Spleen and promotes qi, leaning to qi deficiency with phlegm-damp. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Xiang Sha Ping Wei San. Use caution in yin deficiency and Stomach heat.
What is the composition and traditional use of Xiang Sha Ping Wei San?
Classic composition: Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Hou Po, Gan Cao, Mu Xiang, Sha Ren. It acts to dry dampness, move the Spleen, promote qi and harmonize the Stomach. It is used for dampness obstructing the Spleen-Stomach with epigastric and abdominal distention, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, and white greasy tongue coating. Cang Zhu dries dampness; Hou Po and Chen Pi promote qi; Mu Xiang and Sha Ren aromatically transform dampness and promote qi; Gan Cao harmonizes.
How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Ping Wei San replace it?
Cang Zhu is fried; Sha Ren is added later. Ping Wei San lacks heavy Mu Xiang and Sha Ren for promoting qi; it cannot replace the formula by equal weight. Commercial products follow regulated compounding; do not self-modify.
Related Articles
Xiang Sha Ping Wei San: Drying Dampness, Strengthening the Spleen, and Harmonizing the Middle
Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang: Warming the Middle and Regulating Qi
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness, Bloating & Poor Appetite
Ping Wei San: Classic TCM Formula for Dampness, Spleen Deficiency & Digestive Stagnation
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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.