Objective To explore the common doses of Xixin [Asari Radix Et Rhizoma

细辛]in formulae containing Xixin during the past dynasties. Methods The researchers collected the Formulae containing Xixin were collected from "Decision and Service Platform for Chinese Medicine Formula and Syndrome Research and New Drug Development". The ancient dose units in those formulae were converted into metric units according to "History of Science and Technology in China

Volume of Du

Liang and Heng". Then a database of formulae containing Xixin was built

and the dose distribution of Xixin in the literature was calculated and analyzed with SPSS 19. 0. Results In total 373 formulae containing Xixin were found. It turned out that the common dose of Xixin in the Han Dynasty was20

30 g or 40

50 g

in the Jin Dynasty 9

30 g

the Southern and Northern Dynasties 40

50 g

the Song Dynasty9

20 g

the Ming and Qing Dynasties 3

5 g

and the Republic of China period less than 3 g. The average daily dose of Xixin during the past dynasties is 1. 85

13. 75 g. Conclusion The common dose of Xixin for oral administration is 1. 85

13. 75 g. The Determination of common dose of Chinese herbs should be based on the pharmacometric statistics and analysis of Chinese formula literature during the past dynasties.