Shi Hui San (十灰散) — Ten Charred Herbs Powder

Shi Hui San (Ten Charred Herbs Powder) is the classical Chinese formula for acute upper-body bleeding — haematemesis, epistaxis (nose bleed), haemoptysis and blood in vomit — driven by Blood Heat with reckless movement of Blood. Each of its ten herbs is used carbonised (charred until black), which is the traditional method to intensify their haemostatic action.

On this page

Overview
TCM pattern
Ingredients
Actions and indications
Dosing
Cautions and contraindications
Related formulas
Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Shi Hui San (十灰散) — Ten Charred Herbs Powder — is a classical Chinese herbal formula in the Regulate Blood (stop bleeding) category. Source: Shi Yao Shen Shu (Ten Medicines Divine Method), Song dynasty; recorded in modern practice via Ming and Qing texts. I prescribe it as bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.

2. TCM pattern

Blood Heat with reckless movement of Blood in the upper burner: bright red bleeding (nose bleed, blood in sputum, blood in vomit), thirst, red face, red tongue with yellow coat, rapid pulse.

3. Ingredients

Da Ji (charred) — Cirsium japonicum (9g) — cools Blood, stops bleeding
Xiao Ji (charred) — Cirsium setosum (9g) — cools Blood, stops bleeding
He Ye (charred) — Nelumbo nucifera (lotus leaf) (9g) — cools Blood, sends Heat downward
Ce Bai Ye (charred) — Platycladus orientalis (biota leaves) (9g) — cools Blood, stops bleeding, particularly haemoptysis
Bai Mao Gen (charred) — Imperata cylindrica (9g) — cools Blood, promotes urination to guide Heat down
Qian Cao Gen (charred) — Rubia cordifolia (9g) — cools and moves Blood, stops bleeding
Zong Lu Pi (charred) — Trachycarpus fortunei (palm fibres) (9g) — astringes Blood, stops bleeding
Zhi Zi (charred) — Gardenia jasminoides (9g) — clears Heat from all three burners
Da Huang (charred) — Rheum palmatum (9g) — cools Blood and guides Heat downward through the stool
Mu Dan Pi (charred) — Paeonia suffruticosa (9g) — cools Blood, disperses Blood stasis (prevents stasis from stopping)

4. Actions and indications

Principal actions

Cools Blood and stops bleeding
Drains Fire from the upper burner
Preserves Blood without causing stasis

Indications

Acute haematemesis (vomiting blood)
Epistaxis (persistent nose bleed)
Haemoptysis (coughing blood)
Any acute upper-body bleeding from Blood Heat pattern

5. Dosing

9–15g of the powder per dose, up to three times daily during active bleeding. Best mixed with a small amount of fresh lotus juice or rice water.

6. Cautions and contraindications

Any significant or new bleeding requires urgent conventional medical assessment.
Not for bleeding from cold, Qi deficiency or Blood stasis patterns.
Short-term acute use only — not a maintenance formula.
Contraindicated in pregnancy.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Shi Hui San where the TCM pattern above matches the patient’s presentation, typically as part of a wider prescription tailored to the individual. Return to the Chinese herbal formulas directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.