Chinese: 防风通圣散
Pinyin: Fáng Fēng Tōng Shèng Sàn
Other names: Saposhnikovia Powder that Sagely Unblocks
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that release the Exterior and purge the Interior
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: ObesityMigraineCommon cold and five other conditions
- Disperses Wind
- Releases the Exterior
- Drains Heat
- Unblocks the bowels
Source date: 1172 AD
Source book: Formulas from the Discussion Illuminating the Yellow Emperor's Basic Questions
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is a 17-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng), Ephedra (Ma Huang), Rhubarb (Da Huang) and Mirabilites (Mang Xiao) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1172 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that release the Exterior and purge the Interior. Its main actions are: 1) disperses Wind and 2) releases the Exterior.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, hypertension or migraine for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seventeen ingredients in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, we review the patterns and conditions that Fang Feng Tong Sheng San helps treat.
The seventeen ingredients in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Fang Feng is a king ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng)
In general Fang Feng's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Disperses Wind."
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it disperses Wind and release the Exterior by inducing sweating. .
Ma Huang is a king ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Ma Huang disperses Wind and release the Exterior by inducing sweating. Although quite hot in nature, Ephedra has strong Exterior-releasing properties. Its hotness is moderated by the other herbs in the formula.
Da Huang is a king ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
3. Rhubarb (Da Huang)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomachLarge intestineLiverPericardium
Category: Purgative herbs that drain downward
Da Huang expels Heat through the stool. Treating Rhubarb in wine strengthens its effect on the circulation while mitigating its purgative properties. This is important because too strong of a purgative will cause the Exterior disorder to penetrate more deeply into the body.
Mang Xiao is a king ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
4. Mirabilites (Mang Xiao)
Part used: The rock crushed as a powder
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: StomachLarge intestine
Category: Purgative herbs that drain downward
In general Mang Xiao's main actions are as follows: "Purges Stagnation in the Intestines caused by Heat and Dryness, Cools Heat and abates swelling"
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it expels Heat through the stool.
Jing Jie is a deputy ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie)
Part used: Aerial portion and flowers, or the spikes only (in which case it is called Jing Jie Sui)
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Pungent
In general Jing Jie's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold or Heat depending on the other herbs used. Releases the Exterior for measles. Stops bleeding. Abates swellings."
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it assists Saposhnikovia root and Ephedra in releasing the Exterior. .
Bo He is a deputy ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
6. Wild Mint (Bo He)
In general Bo He's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind-Heat. Clears Wind-Heat from the head, eyes and throat. Allows the release of toxins from the skin. Moves Stagnant Liver Qi"
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it assists Saposhnikovia root and Ephedra in releasing the Exterior.
Zhi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
7. Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLungSanjiao
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
In general Zhi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory."
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it drains Heat through the urine.
Hua Shi is a deputy ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
8. Talc (Hua Shi)
Part used: The mineral itself
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderStomach
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Hua Shi's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination. Expels Damp-Heat from the Urinary Bladder. Dispels Summer Heat. Dries Dampness when applied topically."
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it drains Heat through the urine. .
Shi Gao is a deputy ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
9. Gypsum (Shi Gao)
Part used: The mineral itself
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: LungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
In general Shi Gao's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and drains Fire. Clears Lung Heat. Relieves thirst and restlessness. Clears Stomach Heat."
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach.
Lian Qiao is a deputy ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
10. Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao)
In general Lian Qiao's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and toxicity from the Blood. Dispels External Wind-Heat. Reduces lumps, swollen lymph nodes and sores of a Heated nature."
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach.
Huang Qin is a deputy ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
11. Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLungSmall intestineSpleen
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
In general Huang Qin's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome."
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach.
Jie Geng is a deputy ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
12. Platycodon Roots (Jie Geng)
Jie Geng clears Heat from the Lungs and Stomach. The ascending nature of Platycodon root complements the descending nature of the purgatives in their separate actions of expelling Heat. Such combinations are frequently used in treating complex Exterior and Interior disorders.
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
13. Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it harmonize the Blood, which helps to disperse Wind.
Dang Gui is an assistant ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
14. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it harmonize the Blood, which helps to disperse Wind.
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
15. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
In the context of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, it is used because it harmonize the Blood, which helps to disperse Wind.
Bai Zhu is an assistant ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
16. Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Bai Zhu is added to strengthen the Spleen. It is because the Wind-dispersing and Heat-clearing ingredients in the formula can hurt the Organ.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
17. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao protects the Spleen by harmonizing the actions of the other herbs. In concert with Platycodon root, it also improves the functioning of the throat to alleviate difficulty in swallowing.
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is used to treat Wind-Heat
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is mostly used to treat the pattern "Wind-Heat" which we describe below.
But before we delve into Wind-Heat here is an overview of the Western conditions it is commonly associated with:
Common cold Hypertension Migraine Obesity Habitual constipation Hemorrhoids Conjunctivitis Facial boils
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Fang Feng Tong Sheng San treats common cold" for instance. Rather, Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is used to treat Wind-Heat, which is sometimes the root cause behind common cold.
Now let's look at Wind-Heat, a pattern that TCM practitioners commonly treat with Fang Feng Tong Sheng San.
'Heat' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Heat pattern in Chinese Medicine
Wind-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Floating (Fu)
Symptoms: Fever Chills Thirst Sneezing Coughing Sweating Headaches Runny nose Sore throat Yellow mucus Fear of wind Blocked nose Itchy throat Swollen tonsils Aversion to cold Occipital stiffness Occipital headaches
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Wind-Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as aversion to cold, fever, sneezing and coughing. Patients with Wind-Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or floating (Fu) pulses.
Within the Four-Levels theory, Wind-Heat is the first level of invasion of External Pathogens, when it still resides in the body's Exterior.
This pattern is similar to Wind-Cold, but the Wind is together with Heat rather than Cold. The common symptoms are aversion to cold, sneezing, coughing, runny... read more about Wind-Heat
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