Xiao Yao Wan, also known as Free and Easy Wanderer, is a Chinese classic herbal formula. It is commonly made into Chinese patent medicine.
Xiao Yao Wan is an ancient Chinese patent medicine with a history of more than 1,000 years.
In the early days, the output of Chinese herbs was not high. In order to control the consumption of Chinese herbs, people ground Chinese herbs into powder.[1]
While Xiao Yao Wan formulations vary, the herbs most often combined in Xiao Yao San are:
Studies on Xiao Yao San are limited to animal studies. Nevertheless, XYS has been shown to improve stress[2] [3] [4] and reduce depression.[2] [5]
Xiao Yao San (XYS) has been used for centuries by practitioners of Chinese Traditional Medicine. Practitioners of TCM believe XYS works by clearing liver stagnation to improve the flow of qi (energy). Stagnant liver qi is said to affect the blood and contribute to stress, mood swings, pain, irritability, constipation, abdominal pain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and irregular menstrual periods.[6]
| Name | Common Name | Pinyin | Chinese (T) | Chinese (S) | Katakana | Kanji | Genus species | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bupleuri Radix | bupleurum root | chái hú | 柴胡 | 柴胡 | サイコ | 柴胡 | Bupleurum chinense | |
| Paeoniae Radix | Chinese peony root | sháo yào | 芍藥 | 芍药 | シャクヤク | 芍薬 | Paeonia lactiflora | |
| Angelicae Radix | Chinese angelica root | dāng guī | 當歸 | 当归 | トウキ | 当帰 | Angelica sinensis | |
| Atractylodis Rhizoma | white atractylodes rhizome | bái zhú | 白朮 | 白术 | ビャクジュツ | 白朮 | Atractylodes macrocephala | |
| Poria | tuckahoe mushroom | fú líng | 茯苓 | 茯苓 | ブクリョウ | 茯苓 | Poria cocos | |
| Zingiberis Rhizoma | fresh ginger rhizome | shēng jiāng | 生薑 | 生姜 | ショウキョウ | 生姜 | Zingiber officinale | |
| Glycyrrhizae Radix | Chinese liquorice root | gān cǎo | 甘草 | 甘草 | カンゾウ | 甘草 | Glycyrrhiza uralensis | |
| Menthae Herba | wild mint herb | bò hé | 薄荷 | 薄荷 | ハッカ | 薄荷 | Mentha haplocalyx |