Shen Su Yin — Ginseng & Perilla Drink

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Comparisons with related formulas
7. Cautions

Overview

Shen Su Yin — the “Ginseng and Perilla Drink” — is from the Song-dynasty Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang. It addresses Wind-Cold invasion in a Qi-deficient patient with concurrent internal Phlegm — the picture of an older adult, child or convalescent who catches a cold with cough, mild fever, chest tightness and persistent Phlegm, where stronger surface-releasing formulas would overdrive the weakened Qi.

The formula combines Qi-tonifying herbs (Ren Shen, Gan Cao) with mild surface-releasing herbs (Zi Su Ye, Ge Gen, Qian Hu), Phlegm-resolving herbs (Ban Xia, Chen Pi) and Qi-moving herbs (Mu Xiang, Zhi Ke, Jie Geng, Fu Ling). It is one of the most useful colds-for-the-elderly formulas in the materia medica.

I prescribe Shen Su Yin as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Shen Su Yin is prescribed for Wind-Cold with Phlegm and Qi deficiency:

• Cough with profuse white phlegm
• Chest tightness and slight oppression
• Mild fever with chills
• Headache
• Profound fatigue accompanying the cold
• Reduced appetite, nausea
• Pale complexion
• Older adult, child or convalescent
• Tongue — pale, white moist coat
• Pulse — weak, floating, possibly slippery

Key herbs

1. Ren Shen — tonifies Qi
2. Zi Su Ye (perilla leaf) — gently releases the surface
3. Ge Gen — releases the muscle layer, generates fluids
4. Qian Hu — descends Lung Qi and transforms Phlegm
5. Ban Xia — transforms Phlegm
6. Chen Pi — regulates Qi
7. Jie Geng — opens the Lung
8. Zhi Ke — moves Qi in the chest
9. Fu Ling — drains Damp
10. Mu Xiang — moves Qi
11. Sheng Jiang, Da Zao, Gan Cao — harmonise

Formula actions

1. Augments Qi while releasing the exterior
2. Transforms Phlegm
3. Stops cough
4. Suitable for weak or deficient patients

Conditions treated

1. Wind-Cold cold in older adults
2. Postnatal cold with depletion
3. Cold in children with prominent cough and weak constitution
4. Chronic bronchitis exacerbation in Qi-deficient patients
5. Post-viral persistent cough with fatigue
6. Recurrent winter colds with susceptibility

Comparisons with related formulas

• Ren Shen Bai Du San — for Wind-Cold-Damp in deficient patients with body aches and chills; more focus on Damp and the surface.
• Zai Zao San — for Yang-deficient cold with severe chills; stronger warming.
• Xiang Su San — for stress-related cold without Qi deficiency.

Cautions

Not appropriate for Wind-Heat with sore throat and yellow phlegm.

Generally well-tolerated; safe in older patients and pregnancy under qualified supervision.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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