Hua Gai San (华盖散) — Canopy Powder
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Overview
Hua Gai San — the “Canopy Powder” — comes from the Song-dynasty Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Imperial Grace Formulary). The Lung is called “the canopy of the organs” (hua gai) because it sits highest in the chest and is the first to be attacked by external pathogens. The formula uses Ma Huang to release Wind-Cold from the exterior and open the Lung, paired with Su Zi, Xing Ren and Sang Bai Pi to direct rebellious Lung Qi downward and stop cough[10] and wheezing. It is the classical choice for an acute Wind-Cold attack lodged in the Lung with productive cough and a sense of chest fullness.
I prescribe Hua Gai San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
TCM pattern
Hua Gai San is prescribed for Wind-Cold attacking the Lung with Qi rebellion:
- Acute cough with copious clear or white thin phlegm
- Wheezing or breathlessness
- Chest tightness, sense of fullness
- Aversion to cold, low-grade fever, no sweat
- Heavy head, nasal congestion
- Tongue — thin white coat
- Pulse — floating, tight
Key herbs
- Ma Huang (Rx. Ephedrae, 4-30g) — releases Wind-Cold from the exterior; opens the Lung; stops wheezing
- Su Zi (perilla seed, 4-30g) — descends Lung Qi; resolves Phlegm
- Xing Ren (apricot kernel, 4-30g) — descends Lung Qi; stops cough
- Sang Bai Pi (mulberry root bark, 4-30g) — drains Lung; stops wheeze
- Chen Pi (Per. Citri Reticulatae, 4-30g) — regulates Qi; transforms Phlegm
- Chi Fu Ling (Poria Rubra, 4-30g) — resolves Damp
- Gan Cao (Rx. Glycyrrhizae, 1-15g) — harmonises and moderates Ma Huang
Formula actions
- Releases Wind-Cold from the exterior
- Opens and disperses the Lung
- Descends Lung Qi and stops cough/wheeze
- Transforms Phlegm
Conditions treated
- Acute bronchitis with Wind-Cold pattern
- Acute asthma[13] exacerbation with cold pattern and copious clear phlegm
- Acute bronchiolitis
- Cold-induced cough in children with thin phlegm
- Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis on cold-pattern background
- Allergic cough triggered by cold air
Cautions
Contains Ma Huang — contraindicated in hypertension[19], hyperthyroidism[6], anxiety[4] disorders, glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, and with MAO inhibitors or sympathomimetic drugs.
Not appropriate for Lung Heat patterns (yellow phlegm, fever, thirst) or Yin-deficient cough — the warm dispersing herbs aggravate Heat and damage Yin.
For acute Wind-Cold short-term use; not for chronic cough.
Severe breathlessness or acute asthma attack requires urgent medical care — call 999 if the patient cannot complete sentences.
Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.
References
[4] Lin Y, Cai S, Wang T, Zhuang T, Huang T, Yu X, et al. Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Xiao Yao San as a Treatment for Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022;2022:1319592. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1319592. PMID: 35432568.
[6] Liu Y, Cheng L, Yan G, Gu J, Lyu Z, Ding J. Effectiveness and potential mechanism of Jiawei-Xiaoyao-San for hyperthyroidism: a systematic review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Sep 18;14:1241962. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1241962. PMID: 37780612.
[10] Lee B, Kwon CY, Suh HW, Kim YJ, Kim KI, Lee BJ, Lee JH. Herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic cough: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Oct 17;14:1230604. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1230604. PMID: 37920213.
[13] Shergis JL, Wu L, Zhang AL, Guo X, Lu C, Xue CC. Herbal medicine for adults with asthma: A systematic review. J Asthma. 2016 Aug;53(6):650-9. https://doi.org/10.3109/02770903.2015.1101132. PMID: 27172294.
[19] Wang J, Xiong X, Liu W. Tianma Gouteng Yin as Adjunctive Treatment for Essential Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:706125. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/706125. PMID: 23710230.
