Er Miao San二妙散

Two-Marvel Powder

Expelling Dampness 祛湿剂Clear Heat and Expel Damp 清热祛湿

Ingredients2 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

黄Huang Bai黄柏炒Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex15g君 ChiefBitter and cold — clears damp-heat specifically from the lower burner 苍Cang Zhu苍术米泔水浸，炒Atractylodis Rhizoma15g臣 DeputyAcrid, bitter and warm — dries damp at its source and stops the cold herb from congealing it

Indications

Clears heat and dries dampDrains damp-heat from the lower burnerRelieves hot swollen joints of the legsResolves damp sores and discharge

Damp-heat pouring into the lower burner: damp generated by a burdened Spleen combines with heat and sinks, so the signs are all below the waist.

Clinical Manifestations

Hot painful swelling of the knees, ankles or feet
Weakness of the legs with a burning sensation
Yellow, thick, foul vaginal discharge
Damp eczema or sores of the lower body
Genital itching and dampness

TongueYellow greasy coating

PulseSlippery and rapid, or soggy and rapid

Health Categories

Women's HealthBone & Joint HealthSkin Health

Modern Applications

Gout Arthritis Vaginitis Eczema Peripheral neuropathy

Common adjustments

Chiefly weak legs — add Chuan Niu Xi 川牛膝 — this gives San Miao Wan 三妙丸
Weak legs with swelling — add Chuan Niu Xi 川牛膝 and Yi Yi Ren 薏苡仁 — this gives Si Miao Wan 四妙丸
Yellow vaginal discharge — add Che Qian Zi 车前子 and Bai Guo 白果
Damp sores and itching — add Ku Shen 苦参 and Bai Xian Pi 白鲜皮
Joint pain is severe — add Fang Ji 防己 and Can Sha 蚕砂

Contraindications

For damp-heat excess only. Weak legs from Liver and Kidney deficiency, with a pale tongue, cold limbs and no heat signs, will worsen on a bitter cold drying formula. Because it is drying, it is not used long-term without reassessment, and not in patients with marked yin deficiency.

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

Pregnancy

Use with caution in pregnancy — the formula is bitter, cold and drying. It is not self-prescribed, and vaginal discharge or itching in pregnancy should be assessed medically before treatment.

Related Formulas

References

Source Dan Xi Xin Fa 《丹溪心法》 · Yuan

Classical source of record (public domain).
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.