Exsiccated Sodium Sulfate (Xuan Ming Fen)

Bing Peng San

Chinese: 冰硼散

Pinyin: Bīng Péng Sǎn

Other names: Borneal and Borax Powder

Number of ingredients: 4 herbs

Formula category: External formulas for External disorders

Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Mumps Thrush Impetigo and seven other conditions

Main actions:

Clears Toxic-Heat
Dispels putrescence
Reduces swellings and relieves pain

Contraindications: Application to the throat and oral cavity may result in ingestion of small... Application to the throat and oral cavity may result in ingestion of small amounts of the formula. Therefore, it is important that natural Borneol is used in this formula. The chemically-produced item is unsuitable for internal use. In addition, some action should be taken to ensure that the powder is not contaminated with bacteria or other pathogens if it is to be applied to mucous membranes or to open sores. see more

Source date: 1617 AD

Source book: Orthodox Lineage of External Medicine

The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.

Bing Peng San is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Borneol (Bing Pian) and Borax (Peng Sha) as principal ingredients.

Invented in 1617 AD, it belongs to the category of external formulas for External disorders. Its main actions are: 1) clears Toxic-Heat and 2) dispels putrescence.

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.

From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as thrush, gingivitis or mandibular osteomyelitis for instance.

On this page, after a detailed description of each of the four ingredients in Bing Peng San, we review the patterns and conditions that Bing Peng San helps treat.

The four ingredients in Bing Peng San

Bing Pian is a king ingredient in Bing Peng San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.

1. Borneol (Bing Pian)

Part used: Organic compound obtained from plant extracts

Nature: Cool

Taste(s): Bitter

Meridian affinity: Spleen Heart Lung

Category: Herbs that open the Orifices

In general Bing Pian's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Orifices and awakens the spirit. Clears Heat and relieves pain."

In the context of Bing Peng San, it is used because it reduces swelling and alleviates pain.

Learn more about Borneol (Bing Pian)

Peng Sha is a king ingredient in Bing Peng San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.

2. Borax (Peng Sha)

Part used: The mineral

Nature: Cool

Taste(s): Salty Sweet

Meridian affinity: Stomach Lung

Category: Herbs for external application

In general Peng Sha's main actions are as follows: "Applied topically for Toxic-Heat. Clears Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs. "

In the context of Bing Peng San, it is used because it clears Heat, reduces swelling, and disperses clumps.

Learn more about Borax (Peng Sha)

Xuan Ming Fen is a deputy ingredient in Bing Peng San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

3. Exsiccated Sodium Sulfate (Xuan Ming Fen)

Part used: The mineral powder

Nature: Cold

Taste(s): Bitter Salty

Meridian affinity: Stomach Large intestine

Category: Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity

In general Xuan Ming Fen's main actions are as follows: "Clear Heat and unblock the stools. Reduce swelling. "

In the context of Bing Peng San, it is used because it softens hardness and drains Fire.

Learn more about Exsiccated Sodium Sulfate (Xuan Ming Fen)

Zhu Sha is an assistant ingredient in Bing Peng San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.