Xiao Feng San — Eliminate Wind Powder

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

Overview

Xiao Feng San — Eliminate Wind Powder — is the most important Chinese herbal formula for itching skin conditions arising from Wind-Damp-Heat obstructing the skin and channels. Created by the Ming Dynasty physician Chen Shigong (1555–1636 CE) and recorded in his Orthodox Lineage of External Medicine, it disperses Wind, clears Damp-Heat, cools Blood and nourishes Blood and Yin to address the complex pathological mechanism underlying allergic skin conditions. The formula is particularly suited to conditions with intense itching, which in TCM is attributed to Wind in the skin channels.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Wind-Damp-Heat in the skin with Blood Heat and Blood deficiency, characterised by: intensely itching skin lesions (urticarial wheals, eczematous patches or weeping, crusting lesions), redness and inflammation, skin that is worse in warm temperatures and with contact with water, a red tongue with yellow greasy coating, and a floating, rapid or slippery pulse.

Key herbs

1. Jing Jie (Schizonepeta tenuifolia herb) — the principal Wind-expelling herb; disperses Wind from the skin and relieves itching
2. Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata root) — expels Wind and relieves itching; works with Jing Jie to vent Wind from the skin
3. Niu Bang Zi (Arctium lappa fruit) — disperses Wind-Heat from the exterior, benefits the throat and resolves toxicity
4. Chan Tui (Cryptotympana pustulata moulting / cicada shell) — disperses Wind-Heat from the skin and relieves itching and spasm
5. Cang Zhu (Atractylodes lancea rhizome) — dries Dampness and strengthens the Spleen; addresses the Damp component
6. Ku Shen (Sophora flavescens root) — clears Heat, dries Dampness and specifically relieves itching from Damp-Heat
7. Mu Tong (Akebia quinata stem) — clears Damp-Heat and promotes urination to drain Dampness downward
8. Shi Gao (Gypsum fibrosum) — clears Qi-level Heat and reduces inflammation
9. Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizome) — clears Heat and nourishes Yin
10. Sheng Di Huang (raw Rehmannia root) — cools Blood Heat and nourishes Yin and Blood
11. Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis root) — nourishes Blood; prevents the drying herbs from damaging Blood
12. Hu Ma Ren (Sesamum indicum seed / sesame seed) — nourishes Blood and Yin and moistens the skin
13. Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis root) — harmonises the formula and moderates the action of the drying herbs

Conditions treated

1. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) with intense itching, weeping and inflammation from Wind-Damp-Heat
2. Urticaria (hives) with intensely itching wheals from Wind-Heat in the Blood
3. Allergic dermatitis and contact dermatitis from Wind-Damp-Heat
4. Psoriasis with intense itching from Wind-Heat and Blood Heat
5. Pruritus (generalised itching) from Wind in the Blood channels
6. Insect bites and allergic skin reactions with intense itching

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.