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Cang Er Zi San苍耳子散

Xanthium Powder (Xanthium Formula)

Dispelling Wind 治风剂

Ingredients6 herbs

苍Cang Er Zi苍耳子6 g君 ChiefOpens the nasal orifice and disperses wind-damp from the head; slightly toxic, so kept to short courses辛Xin Yi辛夷6 g君 ChiefThe principal orifice-opener for the nose; light and aromatic, it rises to the head白Bai Zhi白芷9 g臣 DeputyDrives wind out of the yang-brightness channel, drains discharge and relieves brow-ridge pain薄Bo He薄荷3 g (added late)佐 AssistantScatters wind-heat and clears the head and eyes, offsetting the warmth of the other three葱Cong Bai葱白2 stalks (vehicle)使 EnvoyClassical vehicle: frees yang and assists the acrid herbs in reaching the surface of the head
清Cha Ye (Qing Cha)清茶as the vehicle (clear tea)使 EnvoyClassical vehicle: bitter and cooling, it guides downward and restrains the ascending, drying tendency

Indications

Dispels wind from the head and surfaceOpens the nasal orificesRelieves frontal and brow-ridge headache

Wind attacking the head with the nasal orifice obstructed: wind, with cold or with heat, lodges at the surface of the head, clear yang cannot rise, and turbid discharge collects behind the blockage. The formula opens the passage rather than treating the discharge as such.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Nasal blockage with thick turbid discharge
  • Chronic and allergic rhinitis presentations
  • Frontal or brow-ridge headache, facial pressure
  • Dulled or lost sense of smell
  • Sinus symptoms aggravated by wind or cold exposure
TongueThin white or thin yellow coating
PulseFloating

Health Categories

Respiratory HealthAllergy Relief

Modern Applications

SinusitisAllergic rhinitisNasal congestionFrontal headacheReduced sense of smell

Common adjustments

  • Marked heat with yellow purulent discharge — add Huang Qin 黄芩, Yu Xing Cao 鱼腥草, Jin Yin Hua 金银花
  • Wind-cold predominant, clear watery discharge — add Fang Feng 防风, Jing Jie 荆芥
  • Severe frontal headache — add Chuan Xiong 川芎, Bai Ji Li
  • Recurrent episodes on a deficient exterior — pair with Yu Ping Feng San 玉屏风散 between attacks to secure the wei qi

Contraindications

Cang Er Zi is slightly toxic. It is not for prolonged uninterrupted use or for self-increased doses — overdose has caused nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and liver injury, and the raw unprocessed fruit is more toxic than the stir-fried. The formula is also acrid and drying, so on its own it is unsuitable for nasal dryness, crusting or bleeding from yin deficiency, and for headache of ascendant Liver yang.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Not recommended in pregnancy — Cang Er Zi is slightly toxic and the formula as a whole is strongly acrid and dispersing; a practitioner should select a gentler alternative.

References

Source Ji Sheng Fang 《济生方》 · Southern Song

「治鼻流浊涕不止。」
— 《济生方》(classical source, public domain)
  1. Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
    2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
    3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.