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Fang Feng Tong Sheng San防风通圣散

Saposhnikovia Powder that Sagely Unblocks

Releasing Exterior and Interior Together 表里双解剂Release the Exterior and Purge the Interior 解表攻里

Ingredients18 herbs

防Fang Feng防风15 g君 ChiefDisperses wind from the surface and gives the formula its name荆Jing Jie荆芥3 g君 ChiefVents wind out through the skin, especially useful when there are rashes麻Ma Huang麻黄15 g君 ChiefOpens the pores so the banked-up heat can escape outward薄Bo He薄荷15 g君 ChiefClears wind-heat from the head, eyes and throat大Da Huang大黄15 g臣 DeputyPurges dry heat out of the Stomach and Intestines芒Mang Xiao芒硝15 g臣 DeputySoftens hardened stool so Da Huang can move it石Shi Gao石膏30 g臣 DeputyClears blazing heat from the Lung and Stomach黄Huang Qin黄芩30 g臣 DeputyDrains fire from the upper burner and dries damp-heat连Lian Qiao连翘15 g臣 DeputyResolves toxin and disperses swellings and sores桔Jie Geng桔梗30 g臣 DeputyOpens the Lung, eases the throat and carries the other herbs upward滑Hua Shi滑石90 g佐 AssistantDrains damp-heat out through the urine — the largest dose in the formula栀Zhi Zi栀子3 g佐 AssistantSweeps fire from all three burners and sends it out with the urine当Dang Gui当归15 g佐 AssistantNourishes blood so that sweating and purging do not deplete it白Bai Shao白芍15 g佐 AssistantPreserves yin and softens the harshness of the dispersing herbs川Chuan Xiong川芎15 g佐 AssistantMoves blood and clears wind from the head白Bai Zhu白术3 g佐 AssistantStrengthens the Spleen so the purge does not injure the middle burner甘Gan Cao甘草60 g使 EnvoyHarmonizes seventeen herbs pulling in three directions and protects the Stomach生Sheng Jiang生姜3 slices佐 AssistantAdded at decoction time to assist the exterior release and settle the stomach

Indications

Disperses wind and releases the exteriorDrains heat and unblocks the bowelClears fire and resolves toxinLeads damp-heat out through the urine

Wind-heat banked up with excess in both exterior and interior— wind and heat block the surface while dry heat accumulates in the Stomach and Intestines, so dispersing, clearing and purging must all be given together.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Strong fever with chills, dizziness and a heavy head
  • Red sore eyes, bitter dry mouth, sore obstructed throat
  • Chest and diaphragm fullness with cough, wheezing or thick sticky sputum
  • Constipation with scanty dark urine
  • Sores, boils and toxic swellings; urticaria; red nose; bleeding hemorrhoids
TongueRed with a yellow, often greasy coating
PulseRapid and forceful, often floating

Health Categories

Digestive HealthRespiratory HealthSkin HealthHeart & CirculationAllergy ReliefCold & Flu Relief

Modern Applications

Acute tonsillitisConstipation with feverUrticariaAcne and furunclesRosaceaHypertension with heat signs

Common adjustments

Contraindications

This formula sweats, clears and purges at the same time, so it is only for a genuinely excess pattern. Not for the elderly or debilitated, not for anyone with a weak Spleen and loose stools, and not while sweating freely. It is a short-course prescription, stopped once the bowel opens and the fever falls.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy — Da Huang and Mang Xiao purge downward, Ma Huang sweats, and the formula also moves blood. Classical texts already warn that it endangers a pregnancy.

References

Source Huang Di Su Wen Xuan Ming Lun Fang 《黄帝素问宣明论方》 · Jin

「风热怫郁，头目昏眩，耳鸣鼻塞，胸膈痞闷，肠胃燥热结，便溺淋闭。」
— 《黄帝素问宣明论方》(classical source, public domain)
  1. Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
    2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
    3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.