Xie Huang San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
瀉黃散 · Xiè Huáng Sàn
A classical formula for Spleen-Stomach latent heat presenting with mouth sores, bad breath and restlessness.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Stomach Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear and drain Spleen-Stomach latent heat
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear latent heat in the Spleen and Stomach while gently dispersing
- Classical Source
- Li Dongyuan school / classical
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for Spleen-Stomach latent heat presenting with mouth sores, bad breath and restlessness.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for Spleen-Stomach latent heat with mouth sores and bad breath, rather than frank Stomach fire toothache, Yin-deficiency Stomach heat, or systemic fire toxin.
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
- Gypsum Fibrosum (Shi Gao) 15g
- Fructus Gardeniae (Zhi Zi) 9g
- Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fang Feng) 6g
- Herba Agastachis (Huo Xiang) 6g
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao) 6g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears lurking fire from the spleen and stomach.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for lurking fire in the spleen and stomach.
- Signs and symptoms include mouth sores, bad breath, a sweet or sticky taste, and a rapid pulse.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is due to exuberant heat in the yangming stomach that scorches fluids and drives qi upward.
Clinical presentation
- Typical signs include thirst, bad breath, swollen gums or a rapid, flooding pulse.
- Lurking fire in the spleen and stomach vents to the mouth and lips, producing mouth sores, bad breath and a sweet or sticky taste.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to clear stomach heat and drain fire while protecting fluids.
- In this formula the emphasis is to clear latent heat in the Spleen and Stomach while gently dispersing.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Xie Huang San, Qing Wei San, Yu Nv Jian and Huang Lian Jie Du Tang all clear heat in the middle or upper jiao. Qing Wei San targets blazing Stomach fire with toothache and gum swelling; Yu Nv Jian clears Stomach heat with Yin nourishment; Huang Lian Jie Du Tang clears fire toxin across the triple burner. Xie Huang San clears latent Spleen-Stomach heat with mild dispersing force for mouth sores, bad breath and restlessness.
Clinical Differentiation
- Xie Huang San is used for lurking fire in the spleen and stomach venting to the mouth and lips.
- The pattern is mouth sores, bad breath or a sweet sticky taste.
- It is distinguished from Qing Wei San (yangming stomach fire in the gums) and from Xie Bai San (lurking fire in the lung).
Safety notes: This formula clears lurking spleen-stomach fire. It is not appropriate for spleen-stomach deficiency-cold mouth sores.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Xie Huang San?
Xie Huang San has the actions of clearing and dispersing latent (hidden or smoldering) Fire from the Spleen and Stomach. It drains accumulated Heat while gently venting it outward and downward rather than only suppressing it with cold herbs.
Which modern diseases is Xie Huang San suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Spleen-Stomach latent Heat, including recurrent aphthous mouth ulcers, oral thrush or stomatitis, halitosis, dry cracked lips or angular cheilitis, gingivitis or glossitis of Heat type, and pediatric excessive hunger or tongue-thrusting due to Spleen Heat.
Is Xie Huang San suitable for improving mouth sores, bad breath, dry lips, and frequent hunger?
For presentations of recurrent mouth or tongue sores, foul breath, dry or cracked lips, thirst, easy hunger or irritability, a red tongue, and a rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms latent Fire in the Spleen and Stomach — TCM commonly applies Xie Huang San as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical evaluation of oral or digestive symptoms.
Related Products
Nong's Xie Huang San (Drain the Yellow Powder) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Xie Huang San: Classic TCM Formula for Spleen Heat, Mouth Sores, Bad Breath & Thirst
Yu Nu Jian: Classic TCM Formula for Stomach Heat with Yin Deficiency, Toothache & Thirst
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Fire Toxin, High Fever & Damp-Heat
Qing Wei San: Classic TCM Formula for Stomach Heat, Toothache, Gum Swelling & Bad Breath
Browse all classical formulas →
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.