Release the Exterior — herbs and formulas (解表剂)
Formulas that Release the Exterior are used in the first stage of externally contracted disease — the acute phase when a pathogen (Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat or Wind-Damp) has invaded the surface of the body but has not yet penetrated to the Interior. These are the first-aid formulas of Chinese medicine for colds, flu and acute viral upper-respiratory infections.
Sub-categories
- Wind-Cold — Ma Huang Tang, Gui Zhi Tang, Xiao Qing Long Tang
- Wind-Heat — Yin Qiao San, Sang Ju Yin
- Wind-Damp — Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
- Exterior with Interior deficiency — Ren Shen Bai Du San
Herbs in this category
The following individual herbs belong to this category in the Chinese Materia Medica:
Warm-acrid herbs (release Wind-Cold)
- Bai Zhi (Angelica dahurica Root)
- Cang Er Zi (Xanthium Fruit)
- Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig)
- Jing Jie (Schizonepeta)
- Ma Huang (Ephedra)
- Qiang Huo (Notopterygium Rhizome)
- Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger)
- Xi Xin (Asarum)
- Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia Flower Bud)
- Zi Su Ye (Perilla leaf / Shiso leaf)
Cool-acrid herbs (release Wind-Heat)
- Bo He (Chinese peppermint / Field mint)
- Dan Dou Chi (Prepared Soybean)
- Ge Gen (Kudzu Root)
- Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum flower)
- Niu Bang Zi (Burdock Fruit)
- Sang Ye (Mulberry leaf)
- Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga Rhizome)
Other Exterior-releasing herbs
Formulas in this category
The following classical and modern formulas in this category are detailed individually in the formula directory:
- Ma Huang Tang — Wind-Cold with no sweating
- Gui Zhi Tang — Wind-Cold with sweating (Tai Yang)
- Xiao Qing Long Tang — Wind-Cold with cold-phlegm wheeze
- Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang — Wind-Cold-Damp
- Yin Qiao San — Wind-Heat at Wei level
- Sang Ju Yin — mild Wind-Heat with cough
- Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang — Lung Heat with cough/wheezing
- Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San — Wind-Damp summer-damp invasion
Browse the full formula directory for over 260 individual formula pages.
When this category is used
Formulas that Release the Exterior are typically prescribed for: common cold, flu, acute sinusitis, acute hay fever, acute headache from Wind invasion, early-stage viral infections. The choice of specific formula within the category is determined by precise Eight Principles pattern differentiation in clinical consultation.
About prescribing
Chinese herbal formulas are dispensed by qualified practitioners following individual TCM diagnosis. The herbs I prescribe are pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan, tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.
Return to the Chinese herbal medicine main page or browse individual herbs.
