Formula Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores

Shi Wei Bai Du San

十味百毒散

Also known as:

Ten-Ingredient Powder to Overcome Toxicity

Formula Composition

Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Jing Jie
Jing Jie
Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Du Huo
Du Huo
Ying Pi
Ying Pi
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Dispels Wind and transforms Dampness
  2. Clears Toxic Heat

Patterns Treated

Toxic-Heat

Historical Origin

Experiential formula by Hanaoka Seshu (1760-1835 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Shi Wei Bai Du San

Main Actions

Dispels Wind and transforms Dampness
Clears Toxic Heat

Key TCM Concepts

Shi Wei Bai Du San is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) and Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1760-1835 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear external abscesses and sores. Its main actions are: 1) dispels Wind and transforms Dampness and 2) clears Toxic Heat .

 

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 Shi Wei Bai Du San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Toxic-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as acne, boils or carbuncles for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Toxic-Heat

Common Applications

Acne Boils Carbuncles Abscesses Cysts Eczema Seborrheic dermatitis Hives Mastitis Lymphadenditis Otitis media Sties

Ingredients in Shi Wei Bai Du San

Detailed information about each herb in Shi Wei Bai Du 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 Shi Wei Bai Du San
Fang Feng dispel Damp-Wind. It also resolves the Exterior and dissipate the accumulation of Toxic-Heat in the Exterior of the body.
View herb details
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 Shi Wei Bai Du 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 Shi Wei Bai Du San, it is used because it resolves the Exterior and dissipate the accumulation of Toxic-Heat in the Exterior of the body.
View herb details
Chai Hu
Chai Hu

Bupleurum roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Shi Wei Bai Du San
Chai Hu It resolves Toxicity, releases pathogens from the Exterior, and clears Blood Heat from both the Interior and Exterior.
View herb details
Du Huo
Du Huo

Pubescent angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Shi Wei Bai Du San
Du Huo dispel Damp-Wind. It also resolves the Exterior and dissipate the accumulation of Toxic-Heat in the Exterior of the body.
View herb details
Ying Pi
Ying Pi

Japanese cherry barks

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used The bark
Role in Shi Wei Bai Du San
Ying Pi resolve Toxicity, expels pus and relieves fevers. This herb is difficult to find and is often replaced by Cherokee rose fruits
View herb details
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Shi Wei Bai Du 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 Shi Wei Bai Du San, it is used because it invigorates Blood and thrusts out pus.
View herb details
Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Shi Wei Bai Du San
In general Jie Geng's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Burner. "

In the context of Shi Wei Bai Du San, it is used because it resolves Toxicity and also, with the help of Szechuan lovage root, thrusting out the pus. .
View herb details
Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Shi Wei Bai Du San
Fu Ling removes Dampness and at the same time enhances the body's ability to expel Toxic-Heat through urination.
View herb details
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang

Dried ginger

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Shi Wei Bai Du San
In general Gan Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and expels Cold. Restores collapse of Yang and expels Interior Cold. Warms the Lungs and assists expectoration of Cold Phlegm. Stops chronic bleeding caused by Cold."

In the context of Shi Wei Bai Du San, it is used because it harmonizes the Stomach.
View herb details
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Shi Wei Bai Du San
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Shi Wei Bai Du San, it is used because it harmonizes the formula and also resolves Toxicity.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Shi Wei Bai Du San

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for toxic sores that have already suppurated.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Shi Wei Bai Du 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.