Fang Feng Tong Sheng Wan (防风通圣丸) is a formula that resolves both exterior and interior conditions, employing the four methods of sweating, purging, clearing, and benefiting to eliminate exterior and interior pathogenic heat, as well as phlegm-dampness. It can treat 18 different conditions:
The main herbs in the formula include Fang Feng (Siler Root), Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepeta Flower), Bo He (Peppermint), and Ma Huang (Ephedra). Fang Feng dispels wind and releases the exterior, alleviating pain. Jing Jie Sui releases the exterior and disperses wind, promoting rashes. Bo He disperses wind-heat. Ma Huang induces sweating, releases the exterior, and opens the lungs to relieve wheezing. Together, these four herbs effectively expel wind from the exterior through sweating.
The deputy herbs include Da Huang (Rhubarb), Mang Xiao (Glauber’s Salt), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), and Hua Shi (Talc). Da Huang purges and clears heat. Mang Xiao softens and purges, clearing heat. The combination of these two herbs facilitates heat clearance and bowel movement, resolving interior heat through defecation; Zhi Zi clears heat and alleviates irritability, while Hua Shi promotes urination and clears summer heat. Together, they clear heat and benefit dampness, resolving interior heat through urination.
The assistant herbs include Shi Gao (Gypsum), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Jie Geng (Platycodon), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), Dang Gui (Angelica), Bai Shao (White Peony), and Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes). Shi Gao clears heat and drains fire. Huang Qin clears heat and dries dampness, draining fire and detoxifying. Lian Qiao clears heat and detoxifies, reducing swelling and dispersing nodules. Jie Geng opens the lungs, benefits the throat, and resolves phlegm. These herbs collectively clear heat from the lungs and stomach; Chuan Xiong invigorates blood and promotes qi flow. Dang Gui nourishes and invigorates blood. Bai Shao nourishes blood and regulates menstruation. These three herbs nourish and harmonize blood, preventing excessive blood loss from the four methods of sweating, purging, clearing, and benefiting; Bai Zhu strengthens the spleen and benefits qi, drying dampness and promoting urination. It helps strengthen the spleen and dry dampness, preventing cold and damp herbs from harming the spleen while expelling pathogens and supporting righteous qi.
Gan Cao (Licorice) is used as a harmonizing herb. It harmonizes the properties of all the herbs in the formula.
1. Urticaria (Hives)
Sudden appearance of red or pale bumps on the skin, varying in size and shape, causing intense itching, as if small insects are crawling on the skin. These bumps may multiply with scratching, leading to more itching, and sometimes they can merge into larger areas.
2. Seborrheic Dermatitis
Oily skin on the face or scalp, resembling freshly oiled skin, with red patches and flaky skin similar to dandruff, causing itchiness and discomfort, sometimes accompanied by pain.
3. Acne
Small pimples appear on the face, chest, or back, some red and others with white pus heads, feeling slightly painful and occasionally itchy, with an oily appearance of the skin.
4. Pruritus (Itchy Skin)
Generalized itching without obvious rashes or bumps, purely itchy, especially worsening at night, leading to scratching that reddens the skin, sometimes resulting in breaks in the skin, but scratching only increases the itch.
5. Furuncle (Boil)
Sudden appearance of small hard lumps on the skin, initially red and painful, gradually enlarging and softening in the center, resembling pus, with surrounding skin becoming red and painful to touch, sometimes occurring on the buttocks, back, or neck.
6. Pityriasis Rosea
Initially, a large red patch appears on the body, oval-shaped with slightly scaly edges, followed by smaller oval red patches appearing elsewhere on the body, also with fine scales, which may be slightly itchy but not excessively so.
7. Erysipelas
A sudden appearance of a large red area on the leg or face with clear boundaries, resembling a drawn circle. The affected skin feels hot and swollen, hard to the touch, and painful, resembling a burning sensation, possibly accompanied by fever and general weakness.
8. Constipation with Internal Heat
Stools are hard and dry, resembling sheep droppings, with difficulty passing for several days, causing abdominal distension and discomfort, foul breath, possible acne on the face, and dryness in the throat.
9. Simple Obesity
Body appears plump, significantly exceeding normal weight, with excess fat around the abdomen, giving a bloated appearance, often accompanied by excessive sweating and shortness of breath with minimal activity.
10. Conjunctivitis
Red eyes, resembling bloodshot, with a gritty sensation as if sand is in the eyes, often accompanied by tearing and increased yellow, sticky discharge.
11. Hordeolum (Stye)
A small bump appears on the eyelid, initially a red dot that gradually swells like a small bean. The eyelid becomes red and swollen, painful when blinking, and may feel like there is a foreign body in the eye, with possible blurred vision.
12. Perianal Abscess
Sudden swelling around the anus, causing sharp pain, like being pricked with a needle, uncomfortable when sitting, standing, or walking. The swollen area feels warm and may enlarge, potentially leading to rupture and pus discharge, with surrounding skin also becoming red.
13. Damp-Heat Vaginal Discharge
Excessive yellow vaginal discharge, thick and sticky, with an unpleasant odor resembling rotten eggs. The lower body feels damp, sometimes itchy, with possible mild abdominal pain.
14. Common Cold
Chills and fever, with a heavy head or headache, nasal congestion with yellow discharge, dry and painful throat, possible cough, general weakness, and dry, bitter mouth.
15. Sinusitis
Nasal congestion, feeling blocked, requiring mouth breathing, often accompanied by thick, yellow or green nasal discharge. Headaches may occur, especially in the forehead or around the eyes, with decreased sense of smell.
16. Herpetic Pharyngitis
Severe throat pain, with small blisters visible in the mouth and throat area, surrounded by redness. Children may refuse to eat due to throat pain, may drool, and sometimes have a high fever, appearing lethargic.
17. Tonsillitis
Severe throat pain, especially when swallowing, feeling like something is stabbing, with swollen and reddened tonsils, sometimes accompanied by fever and hoarseness.
18. Otitis Externa
Pain in the ear, feeling as if something is stirring inside, especially painful when pulling on the ear or pressing the ear flap. The ear may also feel itchy, with possible yellow discharge, and surrounding skin may become red.
