Qian Zheng San牵正散

Lead to Symmetry Powder

Dispelling Wind 治风剂Disperse External Wind 疏散外风

Ingredients3 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

白Zhi Bai Fu Zi白附子Typhonii Rhizoma Praeparatum君 ChiefDispels wind and dissolves phlegm with a specific reach into the channels of the head and face — toxic and irritant raw, so only the processed form is taken internally; this is, not and not

白白僵蚕臣 Deputy

全Quan Xie全蝎去毒Scorpio臣 DeputyExtinguishes wind and frees the collaterals — the most penetrating of the three, and toxic, so the dose is capped

Indications

Dispels wind and transforms phlegmFrees the collaterals of the faceStops spasm and twitching

Wind-phlegm obstructing the channels and collaterals of the face. The channels on one side lose their nourishment and their pull, and the unopposed sound side draws the features across.

Clinical Manifestations

Sudden deviation of the mouth and eye
Facial muscles that twitch or will not move on one side
Inability to close one eye or raise one eyebrow
Facial numbness with a heavy, thick sensation
Post-facial-palsy stiffness that has not fully resolved

TonguePale red with a white coating

PulseFloating and moderate, or wiry

Modern Applications

Bell's palsy Facial nerve palsy Hemifacial spasm Trigeminal neuralgia Facial numbness

Common adjustments

Onset with clear wind-cold — chill, aversion to wind, occipital ache — wind-releasing herbs such as Fang Feng 防风 and Qiang Huo 羌活 are added
Signs of heat — redness, burning, a red tongue — the acrid warm herbs are unsuitable alone; cooling wind herbs such as Sang Ye 桑叶 and Ju Hua 菊花 are combined in
Long-standing case with stasis in the collaterals — blood-moving herbs such as Dang Gui 当归 and Chuan Xiong 川芎 are added; anticoagulant use needs weighing by the prescriber
Underlying qi and blood deficiency in a depleted or elderly patient — Huang Qi 黄芪 and blood tonics are given alongside, since three dispersing toxic herbs alone will not restore a weak body
Severe pain rather than deviation — the appended Zhi Jing San pairing of Quan Xie 全蝎 and Wu Gong 蜈蚣 addresses stubborn pain more directly

Contraindications

Contraindicated in pregnancy and while breastfeeding — all three herbs are toxic and Quan Xie and Bai Fu Zi are classical pregnancy prohibitions. Do not use it to delay assessment: sudden facial droop with slurred speech, limb weakness, a severe headache or drooping only of the lower face is a stroke until proven otherwise and needs emergency care. Not for facial deviation caused by internal wind from ascendant Liver yang or from yin deficiency, where acrid dispersing herbs make things worse. Avoid alcohol with it. Not for anyone with a known allergy to insect medicinals. Stop at once and seek care for numbness of the mouth or tongue, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, breathlessness or any rash after a dose.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Quan Xie and Bai Fu Zi are both toxic and are listed among the pregnancy prohibitions; Jiang Can has no adequate safety data in pregnancy. It is also avoided while breastfeeding. Facial palsy does occur in pregnancy and is more common in the third trimester — it should be managed by an obstetric team, and any herbal support decided by a practitioner working with them.

Related Formulas

Zhi Jing San止痉散

References

Source Yang Shi Jia Cang Fang 《杨氏家藏方》 · Song

「治口眼㖞斜。白附子、白僵蚕、全蝎去毒，各等分，并生用，为细末，每服一钱，热酒调下，不拘时候。」
— 《杨氏家藏方》(classical source, public domain)

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.
4. Pharmacopoeial monographs on 制白附子 Typhonii Rhizoma Praeparatum and 全蝎 Scorpio — processing requirement and dose ceilings.

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.