Shi Xiao San — Sudden Smile Powder
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Overview
Shi Xiao San — the “Sudden Smile Powder” — is a Song-dynasty formula from Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang. The name comes from the dramatic effect: a patient suffering severe Blood-stasis pain would “suddenly smile” with relief once the formula took effect. Just two herbs — Wu Ling Zhi (flying squirrel droppings) and Pu Huang (cattail pollen) — combine to powerfully move stagnant Blood and stop pain.
I prescribe Shi Xiao San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
TCM pattern
Shi Xiao San is prescribed for Blood stasis pain:
- Sharp, fixed, stabbing pain
- Pain worse with pressure (excess pattern)
- Pain worse at night
- Dark blood with clots in menstrual or postpartum bleeding
- Tongue — purple, possibly with stasis spots
- Pulse — choppy or wiry
Key herbs
- Wu Ling Zhi (trogopterus / flying squirrel droppings) — powerfully breaks Blood stasis and stops pain
- Pu Huang (cattail pollen) — moves Blood and stops bleeding
Formula actions
- Powerfully moves Blood and breaks stasis
- Stops pain
- Stops bleeding (when Pu Huang is charred)
Conditions treated
- Severe dysmenorrhoea with dark clots — see period pain
- Postpartum abdominal pain from retained lochia
- Angina pectoris with Blood stasis pattern (alongside cardiology care)
- Endometriosis pain
- Chronic pelvic pain from Blood stasis
- Trauma-related Blood stasis pain
- Sharp abdominal pain from old surgery or trauma
Cautions
Contains Wu Ling Zhi (squirrel droppings), an animal product. From harvested droppings; no animal welfare concern. Vegetarian patients can request substitution.
Contains Pu Huang — not appropriate in pregnancy.
Severe acute abdominal or chest pain needs medical assessment to exclude serious causes.
Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.
