Formula Formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind

Xiao Feng San

消风散

Also known as:

Eliminate Wind Powder from Orthodox Lineage

Formula Composition

Jing Jie
Jing Jie
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Niu Bang Zi
Niu Bang Zi
Chan Tui
Chan Tui
Cang Zhu
Cang Zhu
Ku Shen
Ku Shen
Mu Tong
Mu Tong
Shi Gao
Shi Gao
Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu
Di Huang
Di Huang
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Hei Zhi Ma
Hei Zhi Ma
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. Eliminates Dampness
  3. Clears Heat
  4. Cools the Blood
  5. Nourishes the Blood
  6. Relieves skin itchness

Patterns Treated

Wind-Heat, Damp-Wind

Historical Origin

Orthodox Lineage of External M edicine (1617 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Xiao Feng San

Main Actions

Disperses Wind
Eliminates Dampness
Clears Heat
Cools the Blood
Nourishes the Blood
Relieves skin itchness

Key TCM Concepts

Xiao Feng San is a 13-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie), Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng), Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi) and Cicada Sloughs (Chan Tui) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1617 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind. Its main actions are: 1) disperses Wind and 2) eliminates Dampness.

 

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 Xiao Feng San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Heat or Damp-Wind. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as urticaria, eczema or psoriasis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Heat
  • Damp-Wind

Common Applications

Urticaria Eczema Psoriasis Contact dermatitis Schonlein-Henoch purpura Drug rash Tinea infection Diaper rash Early stages poison oak rash Eczema flare-ups Skin lesions

Ingredients in Xiao Feng San

Detailed information about each herb in Xiao Feng San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
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 Xiao Feng 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 Xiao Feng San, it is used because it unblock the interstices and pores and disperse external Wind. .
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Fang Feng
Fang Feng

Saposhnikovia roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Xiao Feng 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 Xiao Feng San, it is used because it unblock the interstices and pores and disperse external Wind.
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Niu Bang Zi
Niu Bang Zi

Greater burdock fruits

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Xiao Feng San
In general Niu Bang Zi's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Heat. Allows the release of toxicity from the surface and clears Heat. Reduces swelling and clears pathogenic Heat. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieves sore throat."

In the context of Xiao Feng San, it is used because it unblock the interstices and pores and disperse external Wind.
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Chan Tui
Chan Tui

Cicada sloughs

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Salty
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dry Cicada slough
Role in Xiao Feng San
In general Chan Tui's main actions are as follows: "Clears Wind-Heat and benefits the throat. Allows the release of Toxins from the skin and relieves itching. Expels Wind and relieves spasms and convulsions associated with Heat. "

In the context of Xiao Feng San, it is used because it is unblock the interstices and pores and disperse external Wind.
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Cang Zhu
Cang Zhu

Black atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used The dried rhizome
Role in Xiao Feng San
In general Cang Zhu's main actions are as follows: "Dries Damp and tonifies the Spleen. Relieves the Exterior for invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp. Relieves Wind-Damp painful obstruction. Dries Damp for either Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat when combined with the correct herbs. Clears the eyes and improves sight."

In the context of Xiao Feng San, it is used because it dries Dampness.
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Ku Shen
Ku Shen

Sophora roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Xiao Feng San
In general Ku Shen's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat. Scatters Wind and relieves itching.Promotes urination and expels Heat. Kills parasites. Applied externally for Damp-Heat."

In the context of Xiao Feng San, it is used because it is an effective herbs for itchiness from Damp-Heat. It also kills parasites and resolves toxicity.
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Mu Tong
Mu Tong

Akebia stems

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried stem
Role in Xiao Feng San
In general Mu Tong's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and clears Heat. Clears Heat and inflammation of the Heart. Promotes lactation. Moves and smoothes the flow of Blood. Used for painful obstruction associated with either Dampness, Blood Stagnation, Wind or Heat."

In the context of Xiao Feng San, it is used because it drains Damp-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 Xiao Feng San
Shi Gao clears Fire from the Qi Level. It helps drain the Heat from the Interior and prevents the condition from advancing to a deeper level.
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Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu

Anemarrhena rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Xiao Feng San
Zhi Mu clears Fire from the Qi Level. It helps drain the Heat from the Interior and prevents the condition from advancing to a deeper level.
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Di Huang
Di Huang

Unprepared Rehmannia

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Xiao Feng San
In general Sheng Di Huang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes."

In the context of Xiao Feng San, it is used because it cools the Blood. All assistant herbs help the Blood as a means of extinguishing the 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 Xiao Feng San
Dang Gui nourishes and invigorates the Blood. All assistant herbs help the Blood as a means of extinguishing the Wind.
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Hei Zhi Ma
Hei Zhi Ma

Black sesame seeds

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried seeds
Role in Xiao Feng San
Hei Zhi Ma nourishes the Blood and moistens. All assistant herbs help the Blood as a means of extinguishing the Wind.
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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 Xiao Feng 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 Xiao Feng San, it is used because it clears Heat, resolves toxicity, and harmonizes the actions of the other herbs.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Xiao Feng San

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

Contraindications

Because this formula is primarily dispersing in nature, it should not be used in cases with clear Qi or Blood Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Xiao Feng 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.