• San Ren Tang

By Integrative Veterinary Products

San Ren Tang

POA
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Integrative Veterinary Products San Ren Tang is a veterinarian-compounded traditional Chinese herbal formula based on the classical prescription. It is traditionally used to regulate Damp accumulation and restore proper movement and descent of Qi and fluids in early or moderate Damp patterns.

In veterinary practice, it is particularly useful in animals showing signs of fluid stagnation, mucus accumulation, wet inflammatory conditions or impaired fluid regulation before strong inflammatory Heat develops.

This formula is commonly selected in animals with reverse sneeze, mucus-associated gastrointestinal disease, cystitis, fluid retention, wet inflammatory conditions or “heavy” Damp presentations where Heat is mild or incomplete.

Currently in Australia, certain traditional Chinese herbal blends are only allowed to be dispensed by a registered veterinarian.

As with all Traditional Chinese Herbal blends, the best results are likely to occur when prescribed by an integrative veterinarian who can examine your animal in person. Telehealth consultations however, can be used when access to an appropriate veterinarian is difficult or not possible.

If you would like to access the Integrative Veterinary Products Herbal blends, please book an appointment to access a telehealth (phone or video) appointment with Dr Tanya Meares BVSc.

Before the appointment, you will be asked to submit a form with background information about your animal and their health issues.

The cost of the 15-30 minute telehealth appointment is $80 but you will receive a discount of $40 on your first order of any an herbal blend in the shop (if any are suggested).

These formulas require practitioner dispensing under current regulatory guidelines.

How it Works

San Ren Tang was first described over 200 years ago in the Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases and was developed to address Damp accumulation before strong Heat and inflammation fully develop.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Damp refers to pathological accumulation of fluid, heaviness and impaired fluid movement within the body. Animals with Damp patterns may appear heavy, greasy, swollen, mucus-prone or sluggish.

Damp may impair the normal downward movement and regulation of Qi and fluids throughout the body. In veterinary practice, Damp commonly develops when digestion and fluid regulation become inefficient, particularly in animals consuming highly processed, high-carbohydrate or calorie-dense diets.

Compared with Si Miao San, San Ren Tang is less strongly cooling and less focused on metabolic Heat, but more effective at restoring coordinated descent, fluid movement and peristaltic regulation.

Clinically, this formula is commonly used in:

  • reverse sneeze or upper airway irritation with mucus involvement
  • snoring, mild cough or noisy respiration associated with Damp accumulation
  • colitis or gastritis with mucus but without marked Heat
  • cystitis with Damp predominance
  • conjunctival discharge associated with Damp
  • renal insufficiency with impaired fluid regulation
  • overflow bladder or incomplete bladder emptying
  • lumbosacral disease where weakness or ataxia predominate over severe inflammatory pain

Apricot seed restores proper descent of Lung and Stomach Qi and assists respiratory and gastrointestinal motility. Job’s tears drains Damp while supporting digestive regulation. Cardamom transforms Damp within the Middle Burner.

Magnolia bark and Pinellia regulate abdominal distension, nausea and Phlegm accumulation. Talc, Lophatherum and Helwingia promote urination and help clear mild Heat through fluid movement.

This formula is often useful in animals showing Damp accumulation without intense inflammatory Heat and may pair well with formulas such as Rehmannia 8 where chronic fluid dysregulation and deficiency coexist.

Animals suited to this formula often show:

  • swollen, wet or lavender tongue
  • toned or slippery pulse
  • greasy or heavy coat
  • mucus accumulation or wet discharge
  • boggy or fluid-retentive body condition

Think: Damp accumulation impairing coordinated movement and descent of Qi and fluids before strong Heat develops.

This formula is generally less appropriate where:

  • intense Heat or inflammatory redness predominates
  • severe deficiency and exhaustion are present
  • dryness outweighs Damp accumulation
  • inflammatory disease is highly acute or toxic

Its relatively mild flavour profile also makes it particularly useful in cats.
Ingredients

Apricot seed,
Job’s tears seed,
Talc,
Ginger cured pinellia rhizome,
Chinese cardamom fruit,
Lophatherum herb,
Magnolia bark,
Japanese helwingia pith.
Dosing

Dogs up to 5 kg Give ¼ of a teaspoon twice daily

5-10 kg Give ½ a teaspoon twice daily

10-15 kg Give ¾ of a teaspoon twice daily

15-20 kg Give 1 teaspoon twice daily

20-30 kg Give 1 ½ teaspoons twice daily

30-40 kg Give 2 teaspoons twice daily

It is advised to start on a lower dose and work up to the full dose over a week or so to check it is a good fit for your dog. The above dosing guidelines can be adjusted. For animals that have had benefit from the herbs, a lower dose may be required to maintain or wean off the formula. Conversely, animals may be given more frequent or higher doses when the effect is required more quickly and the formula choice is certain.

Ways to get herbs into pets.
Most dogs with a good appetite will simply eat herbal mixtures in their food. If animals have a weak appetite or are otherwise picky with their choices there area few other ways to entice them.
Mix herbs with a small amount of a high value treat – eg mince, sardines, cheese.
Mix herbs into a bone broth and pour over food.
If owners are still having trouble, gelatin food capsules can be bought inexpensively and herbs put into them. Owners then need to give the capsule either directly into the mouth or again, mixed in food.

Shipping

We currently ship only to Australia. Contact us if you are in NZ and interested in getting our products.  (Not Canada or USA)

For more information, click here >

Frequently Asked Questions

How is San Ren Tang different from Si Miao San?

Both formulas address Damp patterns, however San Ren Tang is more focused on restoring fluid movement, coordinated descent and mucus regulation where Damp predominates without intense inflammatory Heat.

Si Miao San is more strongly cooling and is better suited to hotter, redder, more inflammatory Damp-Heat presentations associated with metabolic excess.
What does “Damp” mean in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Damp refers to pathological accumulation of fluid, heaviness and impaired fluid movement within the body. Animals with Damp patterns may appear greasy, swollen, mucus-prone, heavy, sluggish or prone to wet inflammatory conditions.

Damp commonly develops when digestion and fluid regulation become inefficient. In veterinary practice, this is often associated with highly processed diets, excessive carbohydrate intake, metabolic dysfunction or chronic digestive imbalance.
Why do some animals with Damp patterns develop reverse sneeze, mucus or noisy breathing?

Damp may interfere with the normal downward movement of Lung Qi and contribute to mucus accumulation within the upper airways.

These animals often show signs such as reverse sneeze, snoring, mild cough, noisy breathing or mucus accumulation without severe Heat or infection.