Shengmai San

About

Shengmai San first appeared in the 12th century textbook Teachings About the Source Principles of Medicine (Yixue qiyuan) by the eminent scholar-physician Zhang Yuansu. Popularized by the quintessential representatives of the Yin Fire School, Zhu Danxi and Li Dongyuan, this formula has since evolved to become the representative remedy for the concurrent tonification of qi and yin. Judging by the sheer number of modern patent medicine versions, Shengmai San can be regarded as one of China’s most popular and extensively researched remedies. It covers a wide range of situations involving the loss of (yin) fluid and (qi) energy, for instance, in the form of Gatorade-like exercise drinks for athletes, or the emergency room usage of Shengmai San IV-fluids after sudden blood loss. From a modern perspective, the ingredients of Shengmai San can all be considered “superfood” items of the Chinese materia medica. Sun Simiao, the 7th century sage-physician and paragon of longevity, reportedly consumed Schisandra tea every day during the summer months. In modern clinical practice, Shengmai San is most suitable for chronic disorders of the Heart and/or Lung. As a yin tonic mini-formula that is much easier to digest than remedies containing sticky herbs like rehmannia, Shengmai San also makes a suitable addition to remedies that may be too warming or too drying by themselves.