Xiao Ji Yin Zi — Cephalanoplos Drink

On this page

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

Overview

Xiao Ji Yin Zi — the “Cephalanoplos Drink” (named for its chief herb, Cirsium setosum or Xiao Ji) — is a Yuan-dynasty formula from Yan Shi Ji Sheng Fang (1253). It is the classical formula for haematuria (blood in urine) caused by damp-heat in the lower burner with Blood stasis.

The formula combines hemostatic herbs (Xiao Ji, Pu Huang, Ou Jie) with damp-heat clearing herbs (Hua Shi, Mu Tong, Zhi Zi, Dan Zhu Ye) and Yin-nourishing herbs (Sheng Di, Dang Gui). This addresses the typical clinical picture: a patient with blood-tinged urine, burning urination and dark scanty urine output where simply stopping the bleeding without clearing damp-heat would leave the underlying problem.

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

TCM pattern

Xiao Ji Yin Zi is prescribed for damp-heat in the lower burner with bleeding:

• Visible blood in urine (haematuria) — the cardinal sign
• Burning, painful urination
• Frequent urination with small volumes
• Dark, concentrated urine
• Suprapubic or lower-back ache
• Mild fever in some cases
• Thirst
• Tongue — red, yellow coat
• Pulse — rapid, slippery, possibly forceful

Key herbs

1. Xiao Ji (Cirsium setosum) — chief; cools the Blood and stops bleeding
2. Pu Huang (cattail pollen) — stops bleeding
3. Ou Jie (lotus node) — stops bleeding
4. Sheng Di Huang — nourishes Yin and cools Blood
5. Dang Gui — nourishes and moves Blood
6. Hua Shi (talc) — drains damp-heat through urination
7. Mu Tong (safe modern species) — promotes urination and clears Heat
8. Zhi Zi — clears damp-heat
9. Dan Zhu Ye — clears Heart Heat through urine
10. Zhi Gan Cao — harmonises

Formula actions

1. Cools the Blood and stops urinary bleeding
2. Clears damp-heat from the lower burner
3. Promotes urination
4. Resolves Blood stasis
5. Nourishes Yin to balance the cooling action

Conditions treated

1. Haematuria from urinary tract infection — see UTIs
2. Acute cystitis with blood in urine
3. Prostatitis with haematuria
4. Bladder stones with bleeding
5. Bladder cancer follow-up (alongside oncology care)
6. Glomerulonephritis with microscopic haematuria (alongside nephrology care)
7. IgA nephropathy with intermittent visible haematuria
8. Renal stones with bleeding

Comparisons with related formulas

• Ba Zheng San — for severe damp-heat UTI without bleeding; stronger draining action.
• Dao Chi San — for Heart Fire transferring to Small Intestine; milder.
• Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan — for chronic haematuria from Yin-deficient Heat.

Modifications

• For severe Heat, add Huang Bai and Zhi Zi
• For chronic recurrent UTI, add Bi Xie and Tu Fu Ling
• For stones, add Jin Qian Cao and Ji Nei Jin
• For Yin deficiency overlay, combine with Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan

Cautions

Haematuria always requires medical investigation to exclude bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma, kidney disease and other serious causes. Never assume a TCM cause without conventional diagnosis.

Confirm with your supplier that the formula uses a safe Mu Tong species (Akebia, not Guan Mu Tong / Aristolochia).

Not appropriate in pregnancy.

Use cautiously in patients with cold-deficient patterns — the formula is cooling.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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