Xanthium Powder (Cang Er Zi San)

Alternative Names

• Cang Er Zi San

This formula contains three ingredients that are very aromatic and open the nose and sinuses.

The fourth herb is aromatic too, but minty too. After all, it is mint.

This formula would be better in powdered form than capsules. It is very aromatic and thus much better therapeutically to taste than to hide in capsules. Think of it as a cup of Vick’s Mentholatum tea.

If this formula is being considered in the treatment of a sinus headache, you may also want to look at another formula that is used for stuffy nose headaches due to the common cold. It is called Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San.

Ingredients

Xin Yi Hua 辛夷花 magnolia flower Flos Magnoliae [use caution if pregnant]

• Xin Yin Hua is actually a rather cute fuzzy little bud, but when you crush it in your fingers, it has a very strong, aromatic smell. Want to see some close-ups?

Cang Er Zi 蒼耳子 cockleburr fruit, xanthium Fructus Xanthii Sibirici [use caution if pregnant]

• As mentioned above, this herb is like Dristan, but so is Xin Yin Hua and Bai Zhi below. Together, these three herbs really work hard to open up your nose.

Bai Zhi 白芷 angelica root Radix Angelicae Dahuricae

• Bai Zhi is the third nose-opening herb in this formula. All three are very aromatic.

Bo He 薄荷 field mint, mentha Herba Menthae Haplocalycis

• You shouldn’t confuse this medicinal mint with mint candy. This mint has a spicy taste to it that causes a fine sweat to appear on your face. This is one of its benefits in this formula, it guides the other herbs to your face, but also helps to clear up the eyes and head if it feels stuffy in general.

You can add a little potency to this formula by drinking it with a tea made of the Chinese herb called cong bai (Allii fistulosi Bulbus). This is essentially a Chinese variety of a scallion or green onion. I use green onion, works just fine.

This formula can be used to support health with or without symptoms. If symptoms are present, take 1 level teaspoon of the powder (8 capsules) three times daily. When symptoms are not present, take 1/2 level teaspoon (4 capsules), two times daily. Empty stomach is best for efficient absorption, but not essential. [More…]

At this dosage, your order will last approximately this long (?):

• 50 grams powder (capsules only): 4 to 14 days.
• 100 grams powder (capsules or powder): 8 to 25 days
• 200 grams powder (powder only): 19 to 56 days