Xiao Yao San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
逍遥散 · Xiāo Yáo Sǎn
The classic formula for Liver Qi constraint with Blood deficiency and Spleen weakness. Widely used for emotional constraint, PMS, hypochondriac distension and mild digestive symptoms.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Harmonising Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Qi Stagnation
- Primary Function
- Course Liver Qi, tonify Spleen, nourish Blood
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Course the Liver, resolve constraint, strengthen the Spleen and nourish Blood
- Classical Source
- Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Song dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
The classic formula for Liver Qi constraint with Blood deficiency and Spleen weakness. Widely used for emotional constraint, PMS, hypochondriac distension and mild digestive symptoms.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when Liver Qi constraint occurs together with Blood deficiency and Spleen weakness, requiring coursing and tonification at once — unlike Chai Hu Shu Gan San, which moves Qi and relieves pain more forcefully, and without the heat-clearing herbs that define Jia Wei Xiao Yao 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
白朮Bai Zhu9g
White Atractylodes Rhizome- fortifies the spleen and boosts qi
- fortifies the spleen to guard against the invading liver
- improves the source of ying-blood production
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen
- leaches dampness and quiets the heart
薄荷Bo He6g
Mentha / Peppermint- soothes and frees the liver
- clears constraint heat combined with chai hu
- dang gui
- and shao yao
- regulates and harmonizes the liver
生薑Sheng Jiang3g
Fresh Ginger- harmonizes the stomach and activates the spleen combined with fu ling and bai zhu
- regulates and harmonize the spleen
Classical Composition
- Bupleuri Radix (Chai Hu) 1 liang (30g)
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 1 liang (30g)
- Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao) 1 liang (30g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle(Zhi Gan Cao) 0.5 liang (15g)
- Poria (Fu Ling) 1 liang (30g)
- Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu) 1 liang (30g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Soothes the liver and resolves constraint
- nourishes blood and fortifies the spleen.
Indications
- Xiao Yao San is indicated for the pattern of liver constraint, blood deficiency, and spleen weakness, characterized by rib-side pain, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, dry throat, mental fatigue, reduced food intake, menstrual irregularities, distending pain of the breasts, and a wiry, deficient pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- The liver likes to govern free activity and dislikes inhibition and constraint.
- It stores the blood and belongs to yin in form but yang in function.
- When emotion is inhibited, the liver fails to free and soften the form, which may result in liver constraint and blood deficiency.
- Since “the foot jueyin liver channel distributes along the rib-side, circulates behind the throat… connects with the eyes, ascends to the forehead, and joins the du mai at the top of the head,” liver constraint and blood deficiency may result in rib-side pain, headache, and dizziness.
- When the liver constraint transforms into fire, a dry mouth and dry throat may result.
- Liver disease tends to transmit to the spleen, which may result in mental fatigue and reduced food intake due to the spleen and stomach weakness.
- The liver stores the blood and governs the free flow of qi.
- When women suffer from liver constraint, blood deficiency, and spleen weakness they may suffer menstrual irregularities and distending pain of the breasts.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment is to soothe the liver, resolve constraint, nourish blood, and fortify the spleen.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Xiao Yao San addresses Liver constraint with concurrent Blood and Spleen deficiency. Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San) adds heat-clearing herbs when constraint has transformed into Heat. Chai Hu Shu Gan San is stronger for pure Qi stagnation with pain and less emphasis on Blood or Spleen tonification.
Clinical Differentiation
- Xiao Yao San serves as the most common formula to soothe the liver and nourish the blood, and is also commonly applied for regulating menstruation.
- This clinical pattern is marked by rib-side pain, mental fatigue, reduced food intake, menstrual irregularities, and a wiry, deficient pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is not appropriate for liver fire with a red tongue and rapid wiry pulse, nor for blood stasis as the sole pattern.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Xiao Yao San?
Xiao Yao San has the actions of spreading Liver Qi, strengthening the Spleen, and nourishing Blood. It is primarily used for Liver Qi constraint combined with Blood deficiency and Spleen weakness, including hypochondriac or breast distension, mood changes, fatigue, and irregular menstruation.
Which modern diseases is Xiao Yao San suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Liver-Spleen disharmony with Blood deficiency, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopausal mood symptoms, mild depression or anxiety, functional dyspepsia, and breast hyperplasia.
Is Xiao Yao San suitable for improving mood swings and breast tenderness?
For presentations of irritability or low mood, hypochondriac or breast distension, fatigue, poor appetite, and irregular periods — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Liver Qi constraint with Spleen weakness and Blood deficiency — TCM commonly applies Xiao Yao 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.