San Miao Wan三妙丸
Three-Marvel Pill
Ingredients3 herbs
Indications
Damp-heat pouring downward and settling in the legs: the damp-heat of Er Miao San has localized, and the sinews of the legs are losing their strength.
Clinical Manifestations
- Numbness or weakness of both legs
- Burning heat in the feet and calves
- Damp-heat leg qi with swelling
- Heavy aching legs that worsen in humid weather
- Weak legs with dark scanty urine
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Marked swelling of the legs — add Yi Yi Ren 薏苡仁 — this gives Si Miao Wan 四妙丸
- Joint pain with heat — add Fang Ji 防己 and Mu Gua 木瓜
- Long-standing weakness with Liver and Kidney depletion — add Sang Ji Sheng 桑寄生 and Du Zhong 杜仲
- Numbness with stasis — add Ji Xue Teng 鸡血藤
Contraindications
Not for weak legs from deficiency alone — a pale tongue, cold feet and no heat signs call for tonification, not bitter cold. Progressive weakness or numbness of both legs is a neurological symptom and needs medical investigation, not herbs alone.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy — Niu Xi moves blood downward and is avoided in pregnancy, and the rest of the formula is bitter, cold and drying.
Related Formulas
References
Source Yi Xue Zheng Chuan 《医学正传》 · Ming
- 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）— 附方 note and 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.