Shi Xiao San / Sudden Smile Powder

Shi Xiao San / Sudden Smile Powder

Shi Xiao San /失笑散, 5:1 Concentrated Granules

Buy Now

Chinese Name	失笑散
Phonetic	Shi Xiao San
English Name	Sudden Smile Powder
Classification	Blood-regulating formulas
Source	《Formulas from the Imperial Pharmacy》Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang《太平惠民和劑局方》
Combination	Faeces Trogopterori (Wu Ling Zhi) 2 qian (6g), Typhae Pollen (Pu Huang) 2 qian (6g)
Method	Mix condensed vinegar, stew into paste, decoct with a cup of water and boil them down until 70% remains, and take the warm decoction before meals. (Modern use: grind them into fine powder, 6g in one dosage, take the powder with yellow wine or vinegar; or wrap 8-12g powder in gauze and decoct.)
Action	Invigorates blood and dissolves stasis, dissipates masses and relieves pain.
Indication	Shi Xiao San is indicated for pain due to blood stasis such as stabbing pain in the chest and abdomen, inhibited lochia, irregular menstruation, and acute pain in the lower abdomen.
Pathogenesis	The varieties of pains that are addressed by this formula are all caused by blood stasis obstructing the blood vessels. Stabbing pain of the chest and abdomen, and acute pain in the lower abdomen are due to poor blood circulation from obstructed blood vessels. Irregular menstruation and inhibited lochia are caused by stasis blocking the uterus. The treatment method is to invigorate blood, dissolve stasis, dissipate masses, and relieve pain.
Application	1. Essential pattern differentiation Shi Xiao San is a basic formula for treating pain patterns caused by blood stasis. It is most suitable for blood stasis of the liver channel. This clinical pattern is marked by stabbing pain of the chest and abdomen, menstrual irregularities, acute pain of lower abdomen. 2. Modern applications This formula may be used in the following biomedically defined disorders when the patient shows signs of blood stasis accumulation: dysmenorrhea, coronary heart disease, elevated blood lipid levels, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic gastritis.
Additonal formulae	1. Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (Effective Channel-Activating Elixir 活絡效靈丹) [Source]《Records of Chinese Medicine with Reference to Western Medicine》Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu《醫學衷中參西錄》 [Ingredients] Dang gui 5 qian (15g), dan shen 5 qian (15g), ru xiang 5 qian (15g), mo yao 5 qian (15g) [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. When used as powder, it should be taken with warm wine. [Actions] Invigorates blood, dispels stasis, unblocks the collaterals, and relieves pain. [Applicable Patterns] Blood stasis and qi stagnation. Symptoms include: pain in the heart, abdomen, legs, or arms, traumatic injuries, internal or external sores and ulcers, abdominal masses. 2. Dan Shen Yin (Salvia Beverage 丹參飲) [Source]《Summary Verses of Post-classical Formulas》Shi Fang Ge Kuo《時方歌括》 [Ingredients] Dan shen 1 liang (30g), tan xiang 1.5 qian (4.5g), sha ren 1.5 qian (4.5g) [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Invigorates blood, dispels stasis, moves qi, and relieves pain. [Applicable Patterns] All pains associated with the heart or stomach due to blood stasis and qi stagnation.