Ji Ming San — Cockcrow Powder

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Ji Ming San — the “Cockcrow Powder” — is from Zhu Danxi’s pupil Wang Lu’s Lei Zheng Pu Ji Ben Shi Fang. The name refers to the traditional dosing schedule: the formula was taken at first cockcrow before dawn so the warming herbs could act on the Cold-Damp before the patient rose. It addresses Cold-Damp leg Qi syndrome (jiao qi) — downward sinking of Cold-Damp producing lower-limb oedema, heaviness, cramping, weakness and possible chest oppression and nausea as the Cold-Damp counter-flows upward.

I prescribe Ji Ming San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Ji Ming San is prescribed for Cold-Damp sinking into the lower limbs (leg Qi):

• Lower-limb heaviness, swelling, numbness
• Cramping in calves
• Cold legs and feet
• Weak knees
• Possible upward counter-flow with chest oppression, nausea or breathlessness
• Tongue — white greasy coat
• Pulse — soggy, slow or slippery

Key herbs

1. Bing Lang (areca seed) — chief; descends Qi; drains Damp from the lower body
2. Mu Gua — resolves Damp; relieves cramping
3. Wu Zhu Yu — warms the middle and Liver channel; descends rebellious Qi; relieves nausea
4. Su Ye (perilla leaf) — releases the exterior; harmonises the Stomach
5. Ji Ji, Chen Pi — move Qi; descend rebellious Qi
6. Sheng Jiang — warms the middle

Formula actions

1. Drains Cold-Damp downward through the lower limbs
2. Descends Qi; resolves counter-flow
3. Relieves cramping

Conditions treated

1. Lower-limb oedema with cold-pattern heaviness
2. Chronic venous insufficiency with leg heaviness and swelling
3. Calf cramps with cold-pattern
4. Lymphoedema in non-acute phase (adjunctive)
5. Restless leg syndrome with Damp pattern
6. Cold-pattern peripheral neuropathy
7. Heaviness and weakness in legs in older adults

Cautions

Contains Bing Lang and Wu Zhu Yu — not appropriate in pregnancy; caution in Yin-deficient patterns.

New unilateral leg swelling with calf pain may indicate DVT — needs urgent assessment.

Acute lower-limb oedema may indicate cardiac failure, renal disease or DVT — medical investigation required.

Not appropriate for Heat-pattern lower-limb conditions.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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