Formula Formulas that release the Exterior and purge the Interior

Fang Feng Tong Sheng San

防风通圣散

Also known as:

Saposhnikovia Powder that Sagely Unblocks

Formula Composition

Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Ma Huang
Ma Huang
Da Huang
Da Huang
Mang Xiao
Mang Xiao
Jing Jie
Jing Jie
Bo He
Bo He
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Hua Shi
Hua Shi
Shi Gao
Shi Gao
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Disperses Wind
  2. Releases the Exterior
  3. Drains Heat
  4. Unblocks the bowels

Patterns Treated

Wind-Heat

Historical Origin

Formulas from the Discussion Illuminating the Yellow Emperor's Basic Questions (1172 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San

Main Actions

Disperses Wind
Releases the Exterior
Drains Heat
Unblocks the bowels

Key TCM Concepts

Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is a 17-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng), Ephedra (Ma Huang), Rhubarb (Da Huang) and Mirabilites (Mang Xiao) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1172 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that release the Exterior and purge the Interior. Its main actions are: 1) disperses Wind and 2) releases the Exterior.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, hypertension or migraine for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Heat

Common Applications

Common cold Hypertension Migraine Obesity Habitual constipation Hemorrhoids Conjunctivitis Facial boils

Ingredients in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San

Detailed information about each herb in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Fang Feng
Fang Feng

Saposhnikovia roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Fang Feng's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Disperses Wind."

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it disperses Wind and release the Exterior by inducing sweating. .
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Ma Huang
Ma Huang

Ephedra

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Lungs
Parts Used Dried herbaceous stems
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Ma Huang disperses Wind and release the Exterior by inducing sweating. Although quite hot in nature, Ephedra has strong Exterior-releasing properties. Its hotness is moderated by the other herbs in the formula.
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Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Da Huang expels Heat through the stool. Treating Rhubarb in wine strengthens its effect on the circulation while mitigating its purgative properties. This is important because too strong of a purgative will cause the Exterior disorder to penetrate more deeply into the body.
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Mang Xiao
Mang Xiao

Mirabilites

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Salty
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine
Parts Used The rock crushed as a powder
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Mang Xiao's main actions are as follows: "Purges Stagnation in the Intestines caused by Heat and Dryness, Cools Heat and abates swelling"

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it expels Heat through the stool.
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Jing Jie
Jing Jie

Japanese catnip

Temperature Neutral
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Aerial portion and flowers, or the spikes only (in which case it is called Jing Jie Sui)
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Jing Jie's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold or Heat depending on the other herbs used. Releases the Exterior for measles. Stops bleeding. Abates swellings."

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it assists Saposhnikovia root and Ephedra in releasing the Exterior. .
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Bo He
Bo He

Wild mint

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Bo He's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind-Heat. Clears Wind-Heat from the head, eyes and throat. Allows the release of toxins from the skin. Moves Stagnant Liver Qi"

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it assists Saposhnikovia root and Ephedra in releasing the Exterior.
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Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi

Cape jasmine fruits

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Lungs, Sanjiao, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Zhi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory."

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it drains Heat through the urine.
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Hua Shi
Hua Shi

Talc

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Hua Shi's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination. Expels Damp-Heat from the Urinary Bladder. Dispels Summer Heat. Dries Dampness when applied topically."

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it drains Heat through the urine. .
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Shi Gao
Shi Gao

Gypsum

Temperature Cold
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Shi Gao's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and drains Fire. Clears Lung Heat. Relieves thirst and restlessness. Clears Stomach Heat."

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach.
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Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao

Forsythia fruits

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried fruit
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Lian Qiao's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and toxicity from the Blood. Dispels External Wind-Heat. Reduces lumps, swollen lymph nodes and sores of a Heated nature."

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach.
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Huang Qin
Huang Qin

Baikal skullcap roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Lungs, Small Intestine, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Huang Qin's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome."

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach.
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Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Jie Geng clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach. The ascending nature of Platycodon root complements the descending nature of the purgatives in their separate actions of expelling Heat. Such combinations are frequently used in treating complex Exterior and Interior disorders.
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Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it harmonize the Blood, which helps to disperse Wind.
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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it harmonize the Blood, which helps to disperse Wind.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."

In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it harmonize the Blood, which helps to disperse Wind.
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Bai Zhu is added to strengthen the Spleen. It is because the Wind-dispersing and Heat-clearing ingredients in the formula can hurt the Organ.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Gan Cao protects the Spleen by harmonizing the actions of the other herbs. In concert with Platycodon root, it also improves the functioning of the throat to alleviate difficulty in swallowing.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Fang Feng Tong Sheng San

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Fang Feng Tong Sheng San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.