Xiao Feng San
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
消風散 · Xiāo Fēng Sàn
A classical formula for wind-heat or damp-heat skin itch, rash and eczema with redness and discharge.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Wind-Damp Dispelling Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Damp-Heat
- Primary Function
- Dispel wind, nourish blood, clear heat, dry damp
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Dispel wind-heat/damp from the skin and nourish blood
- Classical Source
- Ming-Qing classical formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for wind-heat or damp-heat skin itch, rash and eczema with redness and discharge.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for wind-heat or damp-heat skin itch and rash, rather than blood-deficiency dry itch, exterior-interior excess, or pure Liver damp-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
荊芥Jing Jie9g
Schizonepeta / Japanese Catnip- scatters wind and dissipates pathogens pruritus is relieved when the wind is gone
防風Fang Feng9g
Saposhnikovia Root- scatters wind and dissipates pathogens pruritus is relieved when the wind is gone
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
蒼朮Cang Zhu9g
Atractylodes Rhizome- dispels wind and dries dampness
苦參Ku Shen9g
Sophora Root- clears heat and dries dampness
木通Mu Tong6g
Akebia Stem- percolates and drains damp-heat
石膏Shi Gao12g
Gypsum- clears heat and drains fire
知母Zhi Mu9g
Anemarrhena Rhizome- clears heat and enriches yin
生地黃Sheng Di Huang12g
Raw Rehmannia Root- cools blood and nourishes yin
當歸Dang Gui9g
Chinese Angelica Root- nourishes and moves blood
Classical Composition
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 1 qian (6g)
- Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di) 1 qian (6g)
- Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fang Feng) 1 qian (6g)
- Cicadae Periostracum (Chan Tui) 1 qian (6g)
- Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhi Mu) 1 qian (6g)
- Sophorae Flavescentis Radix (Ku Shen) 1 qian (6g)
- Cannabis Fructus (Hu Ma) 1 qian (6g)
- Schizonepetae Herba (Jing Jie) 1 qian (6g)
- Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cang Zhu) 1 qian (6g)
- Arctii Fructus (Niu Bang Zi) 1 qian (6g)
- Gypsum Fibrosum (Shi Gao) 1 qian (6g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 0.5 qian (3g)
- Akebiae Caulis (Mu Tong) 0.5 qian (3g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Scatters wind and eliminates dampness
- clears heat and nourishes the blood.
Indications
- Xiao Feng San is indicated for rubella and eczema.
- The symptoms are itching skin, red rashes that affect a large part of the body, fluids that leak upon scratching, a white or yellow tongue coating, and a superficial, rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This formula treats rubella and eczema caused by wind-heat or wind-dampness trapped between the skin, striae, and interstices.
- Wind, dampness, and heat invade the body and settle in the blood vessels where it is unable to vent externally or drain internally.
- The symptoms are itching skin, red rashes, fluids that leak upon scratching.
- The appropriate treatment is to scatter wind, clear heat, and eliminate dampness; scattering wind is the primary method and clearing heat and eliminating dampness are secondary.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to dispel wind-heat/damp from the skin and nourish blood.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Xiao Feng San, Dang Gui Yin Zi, Fang Feng Tong Sheng San and Long Dan Xie Gan Tang all address skin itch or heat. Dang Gui Yin Zi nourishes blood for dry blood-deficiency itch; Fang Feng Tong Sheng San releases exterior and drains interior excess; Long Dan Xie Gan clears Liver damp-heat. Xiao Feng San dispels wind, clears heat and dries damp for wind-heat or damp-heat skin itch and rash.
Clinical Differentiation
- Xiao Feng San serves as the common formula used to treat rubella and eczema.
Tongue & pulseThis clinical pattern is marked by pruritus, red measles, floating pulse.
Safety notes: This formula should not be used to treat rubella due to deficient cold. During the course of treatment, patients are forbidden to take spicy, seafood, cigarettes, wine, or strong tea to ensure good efficacy.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Xiao Feng San?
Xiao Feng San has the actions of dispelling Wind, nourishing Blood, clearing Heat, and eliminating Dampness. It is a representative external-medicine formula for itchy Wind rash in which Wind, Heat, and Dampness are mixed and Blood has already been consumed.
Which modern diseases is Xiao Feng San suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Wind-Heat or Wind-Damp in the skin, including acute or subacute eczema of this pattern, urticaria or wind rash with marked itch, allergic dermatitis with red itchy lesions, and some drug or contact rashes after the allergen has been removed.
Is Xiao Feng San suitable for improving a red, itchy spreading rash?
For presentations of red or weeping itchy skin, worse with heat or wind, possible dry blood-scratched areas, thirst or yellow urine, a red tongue, and a floating rapid or wiry rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Wind-Heat-Damp in the skin — TCM commonly applies Xiao Feng San as an adjunct. Severe swelling of the face or throat, or suspected anaphylaxis, is an emergency.
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Xiao Feng San: Classic TCM Formula for Wind-Heat or Damp-Heat Skin Rash, Itching & Eczema
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Dang Gui Yin Zi: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Deficiency with Wind, Itchy Skin & Dry Rash
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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.