Formula Formulas that tonify Qi

Yu Ping Feng San

玉屏风散

Also known as:

Jade Windscreen Powder

Formula Composition

Huang Qi
Huang Qi
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
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King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistant
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Augments the Qi
  2. Stabilizes the Exterior
  3. Stops sweating

Patterns Treated

Protective Qi Deficiency

Historical Origin

Researching Original Formulas (1213 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Yu Ping Feng San

Main Actions

Augments the Qi
Stabilizes the Exterior
Stops sweating

Key TCM Concepts

Yu Ping Feng San is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1213 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi. Its main actions are: 1) augments the Qi and 2) stabilizes 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 Yu Ping Feng San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Protective Qi Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, glomerulonephritis or allergic rhinitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Protective Qi Deficiency

Common Applications

Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections Glomerulonephritis Allergic rhinitis Chronic urethritis Bronchial asthma

Ingredients in Yu Ping Feng San

Detailed information about each herb in Yu Ping Feng San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Huang Qi
Huang Qi

Milkvetch roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Yu Ping Feng San
Huang Qi is an extremely powerful in strengthening the Qi and stabilizing the Exterior. It tonifies the superficial or Exterior aspects of the Lungs and Spleen. It enters the Lungs to tonify the Qi, and enters the Exterior to firm up the Protective Qi. It is one of the most important Qi tonifying herbs.
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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 Yu Ping Feng San
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen and augments the Qi. It reinforces the actions of the key herb and strengthens the metal Lungs by cultivating the earth Spleen. The combination of the key and deputy herbs generate Qi by tonifying the Spleen, which is the source of Qi and Blood. It also stops sweating. The Exterior is thereby stabilized, and sweat will no longer leak from the interstices and pores. This also prevents pathogenic influences from easily penetrating the outer defenses of the body.
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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 Yu Ping Feng San
Fang Feng disperses Wind while tonifying at the same time. It circulates in the Exterior of the body where it expels Wind without damaging the Body Fluids, therefore the Lungs is not injured. In concert with key herb, it stabilizes Exterior without causing the pathogenic influences to linger, and expels pathogenic influences without harming the normal Qi.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Yu Ping Feng San

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

Contraindications

Although the formula disperses pathogenic Wind-Dampness, it is unsuitable for treating Excess patterns. It is because it focuses on preventing pathogenic Qi from entering the body, not on dispersing pathogenic Qi from the body. Therefore, unless significantly modified, it is not suited for releasing pathogenic Qi from the Exterior in Excess patterns even where such Excess occurs against a background of Qi Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Yu Ping 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.