Actions: Dispels wind and stops pain; opens and frees the nasal passages.
Core pathomechanism: Wind evil attacking upward, with depression and blockage of the Lung orifice. External wind (possibly combined with cold or heat) invades and stagnates in the nasal passages, causing Lung qi to lose its diffusing function, resulting in nasal obstruction.
1. When it is used
This formula is simple and focused: all four herbs are key herbs for opening the nasal passages, working together to disperse wind evil and relieve stagnation and obstruction.
2. Pattern and presentation (key indicators)
Main symptoms:
Nasal obstruction: severe nasal congestion with diminished sense of smell.
Nasal discharge: turbid or clear nasal discharge, with frontal headache.
Systemic and accompanying symptoms:
May be accompanied by exterior patterns such as aversion to cold and fever.
Thin white or thin yellow tongue coating.
3. Tongue and pulse
Tongue: thin white tongue coating (more wind-cold); or thin yellow tongue coating (more wind-heat).
Pulse: floating pulse (indicating an exterior pattern).
4. Common modifications
For predominant wind-cold: add Jing Jie (schizonepeta herb) and Fang Feng (saposhnikovia root) to strengthen the effect of dispersing wind and dissipating cold.
For predominant wind-heat, with thick yellow discharge and dry mouth: add Ju Hua (chrysanthemum flower), Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit), and Huang Qin (scutellaria root) to disperse wind and clear heat.
For severe headache: add Chuan Xiong (chuanxiong rhizome) and Gao Ben (ligusticum rhizome) to invigorate blood, dispel wind, and free the network vessels to stop pain.
For persistent turbid discharge with predominant damp-heat: combine with Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin (Five-Ingredient Decoction to Eliminate Toxin), or add Yu Xing Cao (houttuynia herb) and Dong Gua Ren (wax gourd seed) to clear heat, resolve toxicity, and expel pus.
Modern applications: This formula is a base formula used for acute and chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis, commonly modified in combination with other formulas according to cold, heat, deficiency, and excess patterns.
5. Cautions and clinical notes
Contraindications:
Cang Er Zi (xanthium fruit) has a certain degree of toxicity and should not be taken in excess or over a prolonged period. Overdose may cause toxic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and impairment of liver and kidney function.
Use with caution in cases of yin deficiency with blood depletion, or qi deficiency, because the herbs in this formula are mostly acrid, warm, aromatic, and drying in nature, and may readily consume qi, blood, and fluids.
If discomfort occurs during administration, discontinue use immediately.
6. Granule conversion and dose
Calculation of the total raw herb weight in the original formula:
Cang Er Zi (xanthium fruit) 9 g + Xin Yi (magnolia flower) 9 g + Bai Zhi (angelica dahurica root) 12 g + Bo He (mint) 6 g = 36 g.
Conversion to 5:1 granules:
36 g raw herbs ÷ 5 = 7.2 g granules.
Recommended dosage:
One dose daily, taken in 2 divided doses (morning and evening) dissolved in warm water, about 4 g per dose.
功效： 疏风止痛，通利鼻窍。
核心病机： 风邪上攻，肺窍郁闭。 风邪（可兼寒或兼热）外袭，壅滞鼻窍，导致肺气不宣，鼻窍不通。
一、应用场景
本方药简力专，四味药均为通鼻窍要药，合力宣散风邪，开通郁塞。
二、辨证要点（核心指征）
主症：
鼻塞： 鼻塞严重，嗅觉减退。
流涕： 流浊涕或清涕，前额头痛。
全身及兼症：
可伴见恶寒发热等表证。
舌苔薄白或薄黄。
三、舌脉特征
舌象： 舌苔薄白（偏风寒）；或舌苔薄黄（偏风热）。
脉象： 脉浮（主表证）。
四、临床常用加减法
偏于风寒： 加荆芥、防风以增强疏风散寒之力。
偏于风热，见黄稠涕、口干： 加菊花、连翘、黄芩以疏风清热。
头痛剧烈： 加川芎、藁本以活血祛风，通络止痛。
浊涕不止，湿热偏盛： 合五味消毒饮或加鱼腥草、冬瓜仁以清热解毒排脓。
现代应用： 本方是治疗急慢性鼻炎、鼻窦炎、过敏性鼻炎的基础方，常根据寒热虚实与其他方剂化裁使用。
五、注意事项
禁忌：
苍耳子有一定毒性，不宜过量或长期服用。 过量可引起恶心、呕吐、腹痛、肝肾功能损害等中毒症状。
阴虚血亏、气虚者慎用。 因方中药物多辛温香燥，易耗伤气血津液。
服药期间若出现不适，应立即停用。
六、普康本草颗粒剂换算与服用剂量
原方生药总重量计算：
苍耳子9g + 辛夷9g + 白芷12g + 薄荷6g = 36克。
换算成5:1颗粒剂：
36克生药 ÷ 5 = 7.2克颗粒。
建议服用剂量：
每日一剂，分早晚两次温水冲服，每次约4克。
英文
中文
拼音
%
Siberian Cocklebur Fruit
苍耳子
Cang Er Zi
19.35%
Biond Magnolia Flower
辛夷
Xin Yi
19.35%
Indian Madder Root
茜草
Xi Cao
16.13%
Dahurian Angelica Root
白芷
Bai Zhi
9.68%
Szechwan Lovage Rhizome
川芎
Chuan Xiong
16.13%
Peppermint
薄荷
Bo He
9.68%
Liquorice Root
甘草
Gan Cao
9.68%
Take in 2 doses daily, morning and evening, dissolved in warm water, about 4 g per dose.
