Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
防風通聖散 · Fáng Fēng Tōng Shèng Sàn
A classical formula for exterior and interior excess — wind-heat on the exterior with heat accumulation in the interior.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Exterior-Releasing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Wind-Heat
- Primary Function
- Release exterior, clear heat, drain downward, resolve toxin
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Simultaneously release exterior and drain interior heat
- Classical Source
- Classical TCM formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for exterior and interior excess — wind-heat on the exterior with heat accumulation in the interior.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when exterior wind-heat and interior heat accumulation present together, rather than skin-only patterns, diaphragm heat, or pure exterior excess with mild interior heat.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
大黃Da Huang6g
Rhubarb Root and Rhizome- drains heat accumulation and invigorates blood
芒硝Mang Xiao6g
Mirabilite / Glauber's Salt- supports the formula's treatment strategy in this position
石膏Shi Gao12g
Gypsum- clears blazing heat from the qi level
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
黃芩Huang Qin6g
Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap- clears heat from the lung
- stomach and liver-gallbladder
梔子Zhi Zi6g
Gardenia Fruit- drains fire and relieves vexation
連翹Lian Qiao6g
Forsythia Fruit- clears heat-toxin and dissipates clumps
桔梗Jie Geng6g
Platycodon Root- diffuses the lung and guides upward
川芎Chuan Xiong3g
Chuanxiong Rhizome- moves blood and qi and reaches the head and channels
當歸Dang Gui3g
Chinese Angelica Root- nourishes and and gently invigorates blood
白芍Bai Shao3g
White Peony Root- nourishes blood
- softens the liver and relieves spasmodic pain
白朮Bai Zhu3g
White Atractylodes Rhizome- fortifies the spleen
- dries dampness and boosts qi
滑石Hua Shi9g
Talcum- clears summerheat-damp
薄荷Bo He6g
Mentha / Peppermint- disperses wind-heat
荊芥Jing Jie6g
Schizonepeta / Japanese Catnip- releases wind from the exterior and vents rashes
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fang Feng) 6g
- Herba Ephedrae (Ma Huang) 6g
- Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (Da Huang) 6g
- Natrii Sulfas (Mang Xiao) 6g
- Gypsum Fibrosum (Shi Gao) 12g
- Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin) 6g
- Fructus Gardeniae (Zhi Zi) 6g
- Fructus Forsythiae (Lian Qiao) 6g
- Radix Platycodonis (Jie Geng) 6g
- Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong) 3g
- Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui) 3g
- Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai Shao) 3g
- Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Bai Zhu) 3g
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao) 3g
- Talcum (Hua Shi) 9g
- Herba Menthae (Bo He) 6g
- Herba Schizonepetae (Jing Jie) 6g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Releases the exterior and drains the interior
- clearing heat from both surfaces.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for heat locked in both the exterior and the interior.
- Signs and symptoms include high fever, constipation, red eyes, and a forceful pulse.
- The coating is yellow.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by externally contracted wind-heat that invades the lung-defense.
Clinical presentation
- Heat at the exterior produces fever, sore throat and a superficial rapid pulse, while constrained lung qi leads to cough.
- Heat locked in both the exterior and interior produces high fever, constipation, red eyes and a forceful pulse, requiring simultaneous sweating and draining.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to acrid-cool release the exterior and clear heat from the lung-defense.
- In this formula the emphasis is to simultaneously release exterior and drain interior heat.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, Xiao Feng San, Liang Ge San and Da Qing Long Tang address exterior and interior excess. Xiao Feng San is skin wind-heat/damp; Liang Ge San clears heat and drains downward from the diaphragm; Da Qing Long Tang strongly releases exterior with interior heat. Fang Feng Tong Sheng San simultaneously releases exterior and drains interior for wind-heat outside with heat accumulation inside.
Clinical Differentiation
- Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is used for heat locked in both the exterior and the interior: high fever, constipation and a forceful pulse.
- It releases and drains in the same formula.
- It is distinguished from Da Qing Long Tang (exterior excess plus interior heat without purgation) and from Da Cheng Qi Tang (pure interior bind).
Safety notes: This formula both sweats and purges. It is not appropriate for deficient constitutions and should not be used in pregnancy.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Fang Feng Tong Sheng San?
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San has the actions of dispersing Wind, releasing the exterior, draining Heat, and unblocking the interior. It is Liu Wansu’s representative formula for excess in both the exterior and the interior at once.
Which modern conditions is Fang Feng Tong Sheng San suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to robust individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within exterior Wind-Heat plus interior Heat, including a febrile cold with constipation and dark urine, some Wind-Heat rashes or urticaria with interior Heat, red eyes and sore throat with bound stool, and certain excess-type skin or metabolic Heat pictures in strong constitutions.
Is Fang Feng Tong Sheng San suitable for fever, aversion to cold, constipation, and a red face together?
For presentations of simultaneous exterior signs (aversion to cold or wind, headache) and interior Heat (constipation, dark urine, thirst, red eyes, possibly a rash), a yellow coating, and a flooding or slippery rapid pulse in a strong person — TCM commonly applies Fang Feng Tong Sheng San as an adjunct. It cannot replace evaluation of serious infection or other acute medical disease.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Fang Feng Tong Sheng San (Siler Powder to Sagely Unblock) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Nong's Fang Feng Tong Sheng San (Siler Powder to Sagely Unblock) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San: Classic TCM Formula for Exterior Wind-Heat with Interior Excess
Da Qing Long Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Exterior Cold with Interior Heat
Liang Ge San: Classic TCM Formula for Heat in the Chest & Diaphragm, Irritability & Constipation
Xiao Feng San: Classic TCM Formula for Wind-Heat or Damp-Heat Skin Rash, Itching & Eczema
Browse all classical formulas →
Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.