Fang Feng Tong Sheng San — Ledebouriella Powder That Sagely Unblocks

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Conditions treated
5. Cautions

Overview

Fang Feng Tong Sheng San — Ledebouriella Powder That Sagely Unblocks — is a large, comprehensive formula that simultaneously releases the exterior, clears internal Heat and purges accumulation from the intestines, addressing pathogenic factors at multiple levels of the body at once. Dating to the Jin Dynasty physician Liu Wansu (1120–1200 CE), it is designed for the robust patient who has both an exterior Wind-Heat pathogen and significant internal accumulation of Heat, Dampness and food stagnation. In contemporary practice it is most relevant for the pattern of obesity, metabolic syndrome and skin conditions arising from excess and accumulation.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for exterior Wind-Heat with interior excess Heat and accumulation, characterised by: fever, headache and aversion to wind (exterior component), constipation, dark urine, abdominal fullness, a red face, skin rashes and eruptions (interior component), obesity from excess and accumulation, a red tongue with thick greasy yellow coating, and a rapid, slippery and forceful pulse.

Key herbs

1. Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata root) — releases the exterior and expels Wind
2. Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica herb) — releases the exterior and promotes sweating to vent Heat outward
3. Da Huang (Rheum palmatum root) — purges interior Heat and accumulation through the intestines
4. Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas / sodium sulfate) — softens hardness and purges through the intestines
5. Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis root) — clears interior Heat from the Lung and Liver
6. Zhi Zi (Gardenia jasminoides fruit) — clears Heat from all three burners
7. Shi Gao (Gypsum fibrosum) — clears Qi-level Heat and reduces fever
8. Jie Geng (Platycodon grandiflorus root) — opens the Lung and directs the formula upward
9. Lian Qiao (Forsythia suspensa fruit) — clears Heat and resolves toxicity from the exterior
10. Bo He (Mentha haplocalyx herb) — disperses Wind-Heat from the exterior

Conditions treated

1. Obesity and metabolic syndrome from excess and accumulation — particularly with constipation, a red face and robust constitution
2. Hypertension in a robust patient with excess Heat, obesity and constipation
3. Skin conditions from Wind-Heat with interior accumulation — urticaria, eczema and acne rosacea
4. Constipation from interior Heat accumulation
5. Acute Wind-Heat invasion with simultaneous interior Heat accumulation

For robust patients with excess patterns only — contraindicated in deficiency, pregnancy and patients with weak Spleen and Stomach. Contains Ma Huang — use with caution in hypertension and cardiac conditions.

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.