Xiao Feng San消风散

Eliminate Wind Powder

Dispelling Wind 治风剂Disperse External Wind 疏散外风

Ingredients13 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

当Dang Gui当归Angelicae Sinensis Radix6g佐 AssistantNourishes and moves blood — treat the blood and the wind settles

生生地6g佐 Assistant

防Fang Feng防风Saposhnikoviae Radix6g君 ChiefDispels wind and overcomes damp in the skin 蝉Chan Tui蝉蜕Cicadae Periostracum6g君 ChiefVents the rash and is the classic itch-stopping herb 知Zhi Mu知母Anemarrhenae Rhizoma6g臣 DeputyDrains fire while protecting the fluids 苦Ku Shen苦参Sophorae Flavescentis Radix6g臣 DeputyClears heat, dries damp and stops itching

胡胡麻6g佐 Assistant

荆Jing Jie荆芥Schizonepetae Herba6g君 ChiefDisperses wind at the surface and calms the itch 苍Cang Zhu苍术Atractylodis Rhizoma6g臣 DeputyDries damp and disperses wind-damp from the flesh 牛Niu Bang Zi牛蒡子Arctii Fructus6g君 ChiefScatters wind-heat and vents the rash outward 石Shi Gao石膏Gypsum Fibrosum6g臣 DeputyClears blazing heat in the qi level 甘Gan Cao甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma3g佐使 Assistant–EnvoyClears heat, resolves toxin and harmonizes the prescription 木Mu Tong木通Akebiae Caulis3g臣 DeputyLeads damp-heat out through the urine (Akebia/Clematis species only)

Indications

Disperses wind and stops itchingClears heat and drains dampCools and nourishes the bloodMoistens dryness in the skin

Wind, damp and heat lodged in the skin and blood vessels: wind makes the rash move and itch, damp makes it weep, heat makes it red and burning. Because the three arrive together the formula scatters, dries and cools at once, and then feeds the blood so wind has nothing left to breed in.

Clinical Manifestations

Acute or chronic eczema with weeping lesions
Urticaria and wind-rash that appears and vanishes
Intense itching, worse at night or with heat
Contact dermatitis with redness and oozing
Other damp-heat skin eruptions with crusting after scratching

TongueRed with a white or yellow greasy coating

PulseFloating and rapid

Health Categories

Skin HealthAllergy Relief

Modern Applications

Eczema Atopic dermatitis Urticaria Contact dermatitis Pruritus Hives Tinea

Common adjustments

Heat predominant, bright red burning lesions — increase Shi Gao 石膏 and add Mu Dan Pi 牡丹皮 or Zi Cao 紫草
Damp predominant, heavy oozing — add Di Fu Zi 地肤子, Bai Xian Pi 白鲜皮 and Yi Yi Ren 薏苡仁
Blood deficiency with dry, thickened, lichenified skin — increase Dang Gui 当归 and Hei Zhi Ma 黑芝麻 and ease back the drying herbs
Toxic heat with secondary infection — add Jin Yin Hua 金银花, Lian Qiao 连翘 or Tu Fu Ling 土茯苓
Itching severe enough to disturb sleep — add Chan Tui 蝉蜕 in larger dose with Bai Xian Pi 白鲜皮

Contraindications

Wrong for a dry, pale, chronic rash of pure blood deficiency, and unsuitable for weak digestion with loose stools — Shi Gao, Zhi Mu, Ku Shen and Mu Tong are cold and draining, and prolonged use can injure the Spleen. Mu Tong must be sourced as Akebiae Caulis（/）; the aristolochic-acid-containing Guan Mu Tong is nephrotoxic and prohibited. Avoid alcohol, spicy food and shellfish during treatment, as they typically aggravate the rash.

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

Pregnancy

Not recommended in pregnancy. Mu Tong is contraindicated, and the cold draining and blood-moving herbs are unsuitable; an itchy rash during pregnancy needs a differently constructed prescription from a practitioner.

References

Source Wai Ke Zheng Zong 《外科正宗》 · Ming dynasty

「治风湿浸淫血脉，致生疮疥，瘙痒不绝……」
— 《外科正宗》(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.

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.