tong guan san

Open the Gate Powder

About tong guan san

Tong Guan San, Open the Gate Powder, pairs Zao Jiao with Xi Xin. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that scour Phlegm and open the orifices, and records it as reviving consciousness by provoking a sneeze.

Ingredients

Herb	Amount
zao jiao	—
xi xin	—

Actions and indications

Scours Phlegm and opens the orifices

Closed (excess) type of collapse with sudden loss of consciousness, as from Wind-stroke, Phlegm misting the orifices or epilepsy
Jaw clenched and hands tightly fisted, with coarse, rattling breathing from Phlegm
Retention of urine and stool rather than incontinence, with a pale or ashen face
Pulse forceful or wiry
Traditionally, a sneeze after the powder is given means the Lung Qi still responds and the case can be treated; no sneeze points to exhausted Lung Qi and a poor outlook

Revives consciousness by provoking a sneeze

Symptoms

Clenched fists
Loss of consciousness
Rattling sputum in the throat
Trismus

Cautions

contraindication Collapse of the desertion (deficiency) type, with the mouth and hands open, incontinence, heavy sweating and a faint pulse: opening the orifices can make this worse, and rescue tonification is needed instead
caution For external use only, blown into the nose; never taken by mouth, and not for self-treatment or home use
caution A brief emergency measure given by a trained practitioner; stop once the patient rouses or sneezes, and have the underlying cause diagnosed and treated. It never replaces emergency medical care for an unconscious person
caution Zao Jiao is slightly toxic; overuse or misuse can irritate the digestive tract, causing nausea and vomiting
pregnancy Use with caution in pregnancy, or avoid

Preparation

Equal parts of the two herbs ground to a fine powder; a tiny pinch is blown into one nostril, often through a thin tube, to make the patient sneeze. External use only

Names

Pinyin	tong guan san
English Name	Open the Gate Powder

Classification

Category: Scour Phlegm and Open Orifices