Dragon's blood (Xue Jie) Safflowers (Hong Hua) Myrrh (Mo Yao) Frankincense (Ru Xiang) Musk (She Xiang) Borneol (Bing Pian) Catechu (Er Cha) Cinnabar (Zhu Sha)

Chinese: 七厘散

Pinyin: Qī Lí Sǎn

Other names: Seven-Thousandths of a Tael Powder

Number of ingredients: 8 herbs

Formula category: Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation

  1. Invigorates the blood and removes Blood Stagnation
  2. Invigorates Qi
  3. Reduces swelling and pain
  4. Stops bleeding

Contraindications: Not suitable during pregnancy as the formula consumes the Qi and induces... Not suitable during pregnancy as the formula consumes the Qi and induces abortion. It contains herbs that both move and expel. see more

Source date: 1762 AD

Source book: Collection for the Common Pursuit of Longevity

Qi Li San is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula.

Invented in 1762 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) invigorates the blood and removes Blood Stagnation and 2) invigorates Qi .

On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eight ingredients in Qi Li San, we review the patterns and conditions that Qi Li San helps treat.

The eight ingredients in Qi Li San

Xue Jie is a deputy ingredient in Qi Li San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

1. Dragon's Blood (Xue Jie)

Part used: Prepared resin of the fruits of the tree and stems

Nature: Neutral

Taste(s): SaltySweet

Meridian affinity: HeartLiver

Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood

Xue Jie dispels Blood Stagnation and alleviates pain. Its astringent quality also enables it to stop bleeding.

Learn more about Dragon's Blood (Xue Jie)

Hong Hua is a deputy ingredient in Qi Li San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

2. Safflowers (Hong Hua)

Part used: Dried flower

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): Pungent

Meridian affinity: HeartLiver

Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood

In general Hong Hua's main actions are as follows: "Moves Stagnant Blood and regulates menses. Relieves pain caused by Blood Stasis."

In the context of Qi Li San, it is used because it invigorating the Blood and dispelling Blood Stagnation.

Learn more about Safflowers (Hong Hua)

Mo Yao is a deputy ingredient in Qi Li San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

3. Myrrh (Mo Yao)

Part used: Dried resin of the tree

Nature: Neutral

Taste(s): Bitter

Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiver

Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood

In general Mo Yao's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and relieves Stagnation and pain caused by Blood Stagnation. Assists in wound healing."

In the context of Qi Li San, it is used because it dispel Blood Stagnation, promote Qi movement, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain.

Learn more about Myrrh (Mo Yao)

Ru Xiang is an assistant ingredient in Qi Li San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

4. Frankincense (Ru Xiang)

Part used: An aromatic resin obtained from boswellia trees

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): BitterPungent

Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiver

Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood

In general Ru Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and Qi and relieves pain. Disperses Wind-Damp from the Meridians and relaxes the sinews. Reduces swelling and aids in wound healing."

In the context of Qi Li San, it is used because it dispel Blood Stagnation, promote Qi movement, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain.

Learn more about Frankincense (Ru Xiang)

She Xiang is an assistant ingredient in Qi Li San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

5. Musk (She Xiang)

Part used: Musk gland of the deer

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): Pungent

Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiver

Category: Herbs that open the Orifices

She Xiang is acrid and aromatic. It eliminates blockage from the Channels, assisting the herbs that invigorate the Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation.

Learn more about Musk (She Xiang)

Bing Pian is an assistant ingredient in Qi Li San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

6. Borneol (Bing Pian)

Part used: Organic compound obtained from plant extracts

Nature: Cool

Taste(s): Bitter

Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLung

Category: Herbs that open the Orifices

Bing Pian is acrid and aromatic. It eliminates blockage from the Channels, assisting the herbs that invigorate the Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation.

Learn more about Borneol (Bing Pian)

Er Cha is an assistant ingredient in Qi Li San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

7. Catechu (Er Cha)

Part used: The extract of acacia trees

Nature: Neutral

Taste(s): BitterPungent

Meridian affinity: HeartLung

Category: Herbs for external application

Er Cha is cool and astringent. It clears Heat and assists Dragon's blood in stopping the bleeding and generating new tissue.

Learn more about Catechu (Er Cha)

Zhu Sha is an assistant ingredient in Qi Li San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

8. Cinnabar (Zhu Sha)

Part used: The mineral itself

Nature: Cool

Taste(s): Sweet

Meridian affinity: Heart

Category: Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit

Zhu Sha relieve the fright and calm the Mind. It is because traumatic injury can be startling or frightening, it may cause disorder of the Qi and confusion or panic.

Learn more about Cinnabar (Zhu Sha)

Qi Li San is used to treat Qi And Blood Stagnation

Qi is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Qi in Chinese Medicine

Qi And Blood Stagnation

Qi Li San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Qi And Blood Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as chest fullness, chest pain, boring fixed stabbing pain and dark face. Patients with Qi And Blood Stagnation typically exhibit choppy (Se), deep (Chen) or fine (Xi) pulses.

The typical symptoms of Qi stagnation are distension, oppression and swelling. There are also emotional issues like mood swing, depression or irritability. However, the Blood Stagnation is more on pains and purple color manifestation on skin, face, lips and nails. 

Qi Stagnation can cause the... read more about Qi And Blood Stagnation

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