5 Ways to Use Xiao Yao San
Chinese herbal medicine never ceases to amaze me! Chosen to suit the needs of an individual, patients are often astounded at the many ways a single formula (a blend of herbs) can improve their health.
Xiao Yao San, or Free and Easy Wanderer, is one of those formulas that never disappoints. From easing stress to offering a modest boost in energy, this formula offers incredible versatility for improved health and wellness. It has been around for centuries and although stressors have changed over time, it has remained a favorite among herbalists and its users.
Here are 5 Common Ways to Use Xiao Yao San:
1. Sleep
Xiao Yao San translates to “Free & Easy Wanderer”, named after the traveling Daoists. If you wake up in the middle of the night with festering thoughts, this formula may help you sleep. Instead of stressing out over what happened earlier in the day, what you said that you wish you hadn’t, or what you have going on the next day, it helps you move past those thoughts much like a true “Free & Easy Wanderer".
2. Stress/Anxiety
You know those weeks that are so busy, your head spins? If that feels like every week for you, Xiao Yao San would be a great choice. In moments of stress, this formula can typically be felt instantaneously. Not only will it help you to release and relax, but it will actually help to regenerate the qi (your body's vital energy) you have spent in your stressful state, helping you to bounce back from the toll stress has taken. This protects you against illnesses and makes you more resistant to stress in the future.
3. Energy
The Stomach and Spleen systems are incredibly important in the Chinese medicine view of the body. In Western medicine, we think of these systems only in terms of digestion. But in Chinese medicine, the Stomach and Spleen are responsible for keeping us full of energy and qi. Xiao Yao San helps to improve the strength and power for these systems and in doing so, improves digestive function as well!
4. Bloating
Have you ever felt so anxious about something that you feel that anxiousness in the pit of your stomach? As more research comes to light about the gut/brain connection, we are starting to better understand why a happy mind often means a happy gut, and vise versa. If you experience bloating or digestive issues and also suffer from anxiousness or moodiness, it’s likely they’re related and helping one will in turn help the other.
5. PMS & Perimenopause
During PMS (the week right before the new cycle begins), women can feel anxious, moody, bloated, and off-balance. They may experience breast tenderness, hormonal acne, and other physical and mental effects of hormonal changes. When perimenopause occurs, these symptoms can go from bad to worse. For these women, Xiao Yao San is a game-changer. Women can take this formula throughout their cycle (sometimes pausing during menstruation) to prevent the PMS storm, period-related headaches, ovulation issues, or painful menses. Xiao Yao San will help to even mood out and prevent spikes in anger, irritability, and depression.
-by Candice Behan, L.Ac.
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