Xing Su San — Apricot Kernel & Perilla Powder

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

Xing Su San — Apricot Kernel and Perilla Powder — is a Qing-dynasty Wen Bing (warm-disease school) formula from Wu Jutong’s Wen Bing Tiao Bian (1798). It addresses the specific seasonal pattern of cool-dryness in autumn affecting the Lung — the dry, scratchy throat, light cough and slight chill that comes when summer-Damp gives way to autumn dryness with a cool wind.

Wu Jutong’s key insight was that autumn-dryness comes in two forms: warm-dryness (typical of early autumn, hot and parching) and cool-dryness (typical of late autumn, cold and parching). Each needs different treatment. Xing Su San is the formula for cool-dryness, combining mild surface-releasing herbs (Zi Su Ye, Qian Hu) with Phlegm-resolving herbs (Xing Ren, Ban Xia, Chen Pi, Jie Geng, Zhi Ke, Fu Ling) and gentle Lung-Qi-descending action.

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

TCM pattern

Xing Su San is prescribed for cool-dryness invading the Lung:

• Cough — dry, sometimes with thin white phlegm
• Dry, scratchy throat
• Mild headache
• Mild chills with slight fever
• No sweating or very little
• Nasal congestion or slight runny nose
• Onset in autumn or in dry-cold conditions
• Chest oppression
• Tongue — thin white dry coat
• Pulse — floating, wiry, or floating and tight

Key herbs

1. Zi Su Ye (perilla leaf) — chief; releases the surface and disperses Cold
2. Xing Ren (apricot kernel) — descends Lung Qi; stops cough; gently moistens
3. Qian Hu (Peucedanum praeruptorum) — descends Qi and transforms Phlegm
4. Jie Geng (platycodon) — opens the Lung; ascends Qi
5. Zhi Ke (bitter orange) — moves Qi in the chest
6. Ban Xia — transforms Phlegm
7. Chen Pi — regulates Qi and transforms Phlegm
8. Fu Ling — resolves Damp
9. Sheng Jiang, Da Zao, Gan Cao — harmonise

Formula actions

1. Releases the exterior and disperses Cool-Dryness
2. Descends Lung Qi
3. Resolves Phlegm
4. Stops cough

Conditions treated

1. Autumn cough with dry throat and mild surface signs
2. Acute upper respiratory infection with predominant dry cough in dry weather
3. Early stage of seasonal flu in autumn or dry winter
4. Post-air-travel cough from dry cabin air
5. Bronchitis early-stage with dry cough
6. Mild whooping-cough symptoms in adults (alongside conventional care if needed)
7. Smoker’s cough with dry irritation

Comparisons with related formulas

• Sang Xing Tang — for warm-dryness with prominent thirst and red tongue; opposite end of the autumn-dryness spectrum.
• Sang Ju Yin — for Wind-Heat with cough, mild fever and sore throat.
• San Ao Tang — for Wind-Cold cough with stronger Cold signs.
• Zhi Sou San — for residual cough after a cold has resolved.
• Xing Ren Tang — for cough with damp-warmth.

Modifications

• For prominent dryness, add Sha Shen and Mai Men Dong
• For prominent Cold signs, add Sheng Jiang and Ge Gen
• For sore throat, add Niu Bang Zi and Ban Lan Gen
• For persistent cough, add Bai Bu and Zi Wan
• For wheeze, add Ma Huang (small dose) and Bai Guo

Cautions

Not appropriate for Wind-Heat or warm-dryness — the warming herbs aggravate Heat.

Not appropriate for Lung Yin deficiency cough (chronic dry cough, peeled tongue, night sweats) — use moistening Yin-nourishing formulas.

Use cautiously in pregnancy — mild action makes it relatively safe but always consult a qualified practitioner.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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