Su He Xiang Wan苏合香丸
Liquid Styrax Pill
Ingredients15 herbs
Indications
Cold-type closure: cold, phlegm and stagnant qi seal the orifices and consciousness is lost. It is defined against the heat closure of An Gong Niu Huang Wan by the whole colour of the picture — pale not flushed, cold not hot, white coating not yellow, slow pulse not rapid.
Clinical Manifestations
- Sudden collapse with a clenched jaw and cold pale presentation
- Wind-stroke of the cold-closed type
- Sudden severe chest or upper abdominal pain
- Fainting from cold, fright or turbid influences
- Loss of consciousness with copious clear phlegm
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- The picture is hot rather than cold — flushed, feverish, yellow coating, rapid pulse — this formula is the wrong half of the chapter; An Gong Niu Huang Wan, Zi Xue or Zhi Bao Dan apply according to whether heat, wind or phlegm dominates
- Chest pain from cold congealing the heart vessels — the appended Guan Xin Su He Wan is the modern refinement for this indication and is preferred over the full formula
- Marked phlegm with a rattling chest — phlegm-transforming herbs are added in an accompanying decoction, e.g. Fa Ban Xia 法半夏 with Chen Pi 陈皮
- Collapse signs appear — profuse sweat, slack mouth, faint pulse — stop. Aromatic opening scatters qi and worsens a collapse pattern; treatment turns to rescuing yang
Contraindications
Contraindicated in heat-type closure and in any pattern where heat, yin deficiency or fire is prominent — the formula is warm and drying throughout. Contraindicated in collapse patterns. Because of the cinnabar it carries, it must not be taken over long periods, in repeated courses, or as a routine remedy for chest discomfort; mercury accumulates. Do not combine it with other cinnabar-containing preparations, avoid alcohol with it, and use only under supervision in known liver or kidney impairment. Sudden chest pain and sudden collapse can both be immediately life-threatening for reasons this formula does not address; emergency medical assessment comes first.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy. She Xiang musk is a classical abortifacient that strongly moves blood, Zhu Sha cinnabar carries mercury to the fetus, and the formula is otherwise a dense mass of penetrating warm aromatics that are avoided in pregnancy as a class. Not for use while breastfeeding. A collapse or severe chest pain in pregnancy is an emergency to be managed medically.
Related Formulas
References
Source 《广济方》，录自《外台秘要》 · Song
- Classical source (public domain) — 《太平惠民和剂局方》, Song dynasty.
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.
4. CITES Appendix I listings (rhinoceros, musk deer), pharmacopoeial monograph on 朱砂, and the regulatory withdrawal of aristolochic-acid-containing 青木香.
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.