Jing Fang Bai Du San荆防败毒散

Schizonepeta & Siler Formula

Releasing the Exterior 解表剂Release the Exterior with Tonification 扶正解表

Ingredients11 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

羌Qiang Huo羌活Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix4.5gDrives wind-damp from the head, neck and upper back 柴Chai Hu柴胡Bupleuri Radix4.5gReleases the muscle layer and vents lingering heat 前Qian Hu前胡Peucedani Radix4.5gDownbears qi and transforms phlegm to settle the cough 独Du Huo独活Angelicae Pubescentis Radix4.5gDrives wind-damp from the lower back and legs 枳Zhi Ke枳壳Aurantii Fructus4.5gDescends qi and opens the chest, set against Jie Geng's lift 茯Fu Ling茯苓Poria4.5gLeaches out damp so phlegm has no source 荆Jing Jie荆芥Schizonepetae Herba4.5gOpens the surface and vents the pathogen outward 防Fang Feng防风Saposhnikoviae Radix4.5gExpels wind and overcomes damp, paired with Jing Jie 桔Jie Geng桔梗Platycodonis Radix4.5gLifts and diffuses Lung qi, frees the throat 川Chuan Xiong川芎Chuanxiong Rhizoma4.5gMoves blood and dispels wind so the headache eases 甘Gan Cao甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma1.5gHarmonizes the group and protects the middle burner

Indications

Releases the exterior with acrid warmthDispels wind-cold and dampnessDiffuses the Lung, eases cough and chest fullnessDisperses sores and eruptions at their onset

Wind-cold-damp lodged in the exterior of a patient whose righteous qi is intact. Because Ren Shen has been taken out and Jing Jie with Fang Feng put in, the dispersing force exceeds that of the parent formula, so it is chosen for the robust rather than the depleted.

Clinical Manifestations

Wind-cold-damp common cold: chills, fever, no sweating
Headache with a stiff neck and aching limbs
Nasal congestion, heavy voice, cough with white phlegm
Early boils, furuncles or itchy eruptions accompanied by chills
Seasonal aching in cold damp weather

TongueThin white or white greasy coating

PulseFloating and tight, or floating and forceful（ / ）

Health Categories

Respiratory HealthBone & Joint HealthSkin HealthAllergy ReliefCold & Flu Relief

Modern Applications

Common cold Influenza-like illness Myalgia Sinus congestion Urticaria Early skin abscess

Common adjustments

Itching or urticaria prominent — add Chan Tui 蝉蜕 and other wind-dispersing herbs
Heat already showing — sore throat, thirst, yellow phlegm — reduce the acrid-warm herbs and add Jin Yin Hua 金银花, Lian Qiao 连翘
Cough predominant — add Xing Ren 杏仁, Zi Su Ye 紫苏叶
Underlying qi deficiency in an older or frail patient — return Ren Shen 人参 to the formula — Ren Shen Bai Du San 人参败毒散

Contraindications

For exterior excess only. Not for wind-heat patterns with sore throat, thirst and yellow phlegm, and not for the sweating of exterior deficiency or of yin deficiency — the acrid drying herbs consume fluids. Stop as soon as the exterior signs clear; this is a short-course formula, not one to continue through a lingering illness.

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

Pregnancy

Best avoided in pregnancy: the formula disperses strongly and contains Chuan Xiong and Zhi Ke, which move blood and qi vigorously. Use only where a practitioner judges it necessary and supervises the course.

Related Formulas

References

Source She Sheng Zhong Miao Fang 《摄生众妙方》 · Ming dynasty

Classical source (public domain), as attributed in the source 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.