San Qi 17 is based on patent remedies that are sometimes called "hit pills," because they were designed to treat a person who has been struck by a hard blow. This might occur in the practice of martial arts or simply from an accident. Examples of such formulas are Xiongdan Dieda Wan and Jingu Dieshang Wan. They are comprised mainly of blood vitalizing herbs, especially the ones that are said to "crack static blood." This means that they can hasten the resolution of clotted blood, as is found in bruises, broken bones, and knife wounds; this herbal property differs from simply enhancing the circulation of blood, as is often accomplished with salvia, red peony, and millettia in modern prescriptions. The main blood-cracking agents in this formula are san-chi, myrrh, frankincense, calamus (also called "dragon's blood"), persica, carthamus, and eupolyphaga. When treating old injuries that still cause pain or restricted motion, this formula can be used as an initial treatment in an attempt to rectify disordered blood circulation, and then followed by herb formulas that are suited to long-term application (e.g., Salvia Shou Wu, Millettia 9, or Recovery Pills). The Chinese literature expresses concerns about using "strong" blood vitalizing agents in persons of weak constitution. In general, this concern is with the high dosage decoctions and not the pill form; it also applies mainly to formulas that have no tonics included. San-chi, tang-kuei, cinnamon twig, red peony, and licorice in this formula provide some tonic effect.