Bianxue San: A Simple Powder of Only Three Chinese Herbs

Prescriptions for Universal Relief (Pu Ji Fang) contains a formula called Bianxue San (Blood-in-Stool Powder). Its composition is: carbonized human hair (Xue Yu Tan, i.e. huifa tan) 5 qian (15 g), Platycladi Cacumen (cebaiye) and Celosiae Cristatae Flos (jiguanhua), each 1 liang (30 g). The three are ground together into a powder. Take 1 qian each time, washed down with warm wine before bed, and again the next morning.

This formula cools the blood and stops bleeding, and is indicated for hematochezia (blood in the stool). The causes of hematochezia are complex: it may be caused by gastrointestinal tumors, or by hemorrhoids, dysentery, intestinal polyps, or ulcerative colitis. This formula is only a symptomatic remedy specifically addressing the bleeding, so whenever the above diseases present with blood in the stool, this formula may be used to treat the symptom.

Xue Yu Tan, Platycladi leaf and cockscomb flower in this formula all have some hemostatic action: Xue Yu Tan stops bleeding and resolves stasis, promotes diuresis and generates flesh; Platycladi leaf cools the blood to stop bleeding and darkens and grows hair; cockscomb flower astringes to stop bleeding, leucorrhea and dysentery. Combined, their main effect is cooling the blood and stopping bleeding. As a symptomatic remedy, this formula is focused and effective, but if the bleeding is caused by tumor, polyps, tuberculosis or the like, it only gives temporary relief; the underlying disease will continue to progress unless the corresponding root-treating measures are taken at the same time.