Sang Piao Xiao San — Mantis Egg Case Powder

On this page

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

What is Sang Piao Xiao San?

Sang Piao Xiao San — Mantis Egg Case Powder — is a classical Song dynasty formula from Kou Zongshi’s Ben Cao Yan Yi (1116). It is one of the most useful formulas in Chinese herbal medicine for Kidney Qi unable to hold urine, classically used for childhood nocturnal enuresis and adult urinary frequency or stress incontinence with deficiency.

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

Sang Piao Xiao San TCM pattern

Prescribed for Heart and Kidney Qi deficiency with poor astringency: frequent pale urination, nocturnal enuresis, stress incontinence, urinary leak in the elderly, possible spermatorrhoea in adults, mental fatigue, poor memory, a pale tongue with a thin coat and a thin weak pulse.

Key herbs

1. Sang Piao Xiao — chief herb; tonifies Kidney and astringes urine
2. Long Gu — calms the Shen and astringes leakage
3. Gui Ban (tortoise plastron, sourced sustainably) — nourishes Kidney Yin
4. Dang Gui — nourishes the Blood
5. Ren Shen — tonifies Heart and Kidney Qi
6. Fu Shen, Yuan Zhi, Shi Chang Pu — calm the Shen and improve memory

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Heart and Kidney Qi
2. Astringes urine and stops leakage
3. Calms the Shen and supports memory

Conditions treated

1. Childhood nocturnal enuresis (bed-wetting) over the age of 5
2. Adult urinary frequency with deficiency
3. Postpartum stress incontinence
4. Frequent urination in the elderly with poor memory
5. Selected spermatorrhoea and premature ejaculation patterns

Cautions

Contraindicated in Damp-Heat urinary patterns and acute UTI. Gui Ban is sourced from sustainably farmed turtles; modern Sun Ten preparations use approved sources. Long-standing enuresis in children should be evaluated to exclude an underlying medical or behavioural cause.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.