Wu Hu Zhui Feng San五虎追风散

Five-Tiger Powder to Pursue Wind

Dispelling Wind 治风剂Disperse External Wind 疏散外风

Ingredients5 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

蝉Chan Tui蝉蜕Cicadae Periostracum30 g君 ChiefUsed in large dose to disperse wind and stop spasm — light, cooling and the safest ingredient of the five 天Tian Ma天麻Gastrodiae Rhizoma6 g臣 DeputyExtinguishes wind and settles convulsion from within 制Zhi Tian Nan Xing制天南星Arisaematis Rhizoma Praeparatum6 g臣 DeputyDries the wind-phlegm holding the sinews rigid — toxic raw, processed form only 全Quan Xie全蝎Scorpio3 g (about seven scorpions)佐 AssistantStops convulsion and frees the collaterals — toxic, dose-capped 僵Jiang Can僵蚕Bombyx Batryticatus6 g (about seven silkworms)佐 AssistantDispels wind, transforms phlegm and eases facial rigidity

Indications

Extinguishes wind and stops convulsionTransforms phlegm and relaxes the sinewsReleases the surface lightly through Chan Tui

Wind toxin entering through a wound and stirring internal wind, with convulsion and rigidity dominating the picture. It is chosen over its parent formula when the spasms, rather than the surface signs, are what needs controlling.

Clinical Manifestations

Historical use for wound-induced tetanyas supportive care
Clenched jaw and facial rigidity after a wound
Convulsive spasms of the trunk and limbs
Twitching and rigidity that persist after the acute phase
Stiffness of the neck and back following injury

TongueThin white coating

PulseWiry and tight

Health Categories

Bone & Joint HealthSkin HealthImmune Support

Modern Applications

Tetanus Muscle spasm Trismus Convulsions Wound infection

Common adjustments

Any suspected tetanus — emergency medical treatment comes first and is not optional; this formula is adjunctive
Spasms remain severe — Wu Gong 蜈蚣 is added within its dose ceiling, giving the full Zhi Jing San pairing
Heat signs with fever and a red tongue — heat-clearing herbs are combined in; the formula on its own is warm-leaning
Allergy to insect medicinals — the formula is unsuitable — Quan Xie and Jiang Can are two of its five ingredients

Contraindications

Never a substitute for emergency care in tetanus or wound infection. Contraindicated in pregnancy and while breastfeeding — Quan Xie and Tian Nan Xing are toxic and are classical pregnancy prohibitions. Not for anyone with a known allergy to insect medicinals: Chan Tui, Quan Xie and Jiang Can are all animal products and rash, itching, swelling or breathlessness after a dose means stopping at once. Not for convulsion arising from yin or blood deficiency, which needs nourishing rather than dispersing. Alcohol should be avoided despite the traditional wine vehicle. Dose ceilings for Quan Xie and Tian Nan Xing apply exactly as they do elsewhere in the chapter.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Quan Xie is toxic and a classical pregnancy prohibition, and Tian Nan Xing likewise; the formula as a whole is strongly anti-spasmodic and dispersing. It is also avoided while breastfeeding. Tetanus prophylaxis and treatment in pregnancy are standard medical care and must not be replaced by this formula.

References

Source Shi Quan-en family formula 《晋南史全恩家传方》

A transmitted family formula recorded in the modern literature; no classical text is claimed.
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）— listed as an appended formula to 玉真散.
4. Pharmacopoeial monographs on 全蝎 Scorpio and 制天南星 — toxicity 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.