Fang Feng Tong Sheng San: Herbal Relief for Wind, Heat, and Constipation
Hongji Medical- Jan 31
- 5 min read
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San, a classic Chinese herbal formula from Huangdi Suwen Xuanming Lunfang, blends 18 herbs to tackle wind, heat, and internal stagnation. Known for dispelling wind, clearing heat, and relieving constipation, it’s ideal for wind-heat colds, skin issues, and digestive discomfort.
This formula, rooted in the teachings of Jin-Yuan Dynasty physician Liu Wansu, remains a powerful remedy in modern Chinese medicine.
Historical Roots
Liu Wansu, founder of the Hejian School, developed Fang Feng Tong Sheng San based on his “fire and heat” theory. He believed that environmental factors like wind, cold, or dampness could transform into heat or “fire” in the body, causing illness. To counter this, he used cooling and purging herbs to clear heat and unblock stagnation.
During his era, febrile diseases were rampant, prompting Liu to create this formula to address both external (wind) and internal (heat) imbalances. His innovative approach influenced Chinese medicine for centuries, and Fang Feng Tong Sheng San remains a testament to his legacy.
What’s in Fang Feng Tong Sheng San?
This formula combines 18 herbs, each with a specific role, prepared as a decoction with ginger to enhance absorption. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and their functions:
Wind-Dispelling Herbs
Siler Root (Fang Feng): Warm and pungent, it expels wind and relieves exterior symptoms like fever or chills.
Schizonepeta (Jing Jie): Promotes sweating to clear wind and ease headaches or sore throats.
Ephedra (Ma Huang): Opens the lungs and induces sweating to release wind and heat.
Mint (Bo He): Cools and soothes, clearing head congestion and sore throats.
Heat-Clearing Herbs
Skullcap (Huang Qin): Bitter and cold, it clears heat, detoxifies, and reduces inflammation.
Gardenia (Zhi Zi): Bitter and cold, it purges heat and calms irritability.
Gypsum (Shi Gao): Sweet and cold, it cools the lungs and stomach, relieving high fevers.
Magnolia Bark (Hou Po): Clears heat and dampness, easing bloating and chest tightness.
Talc (Hua Shi): Promotes urination to drain heat and dampness.
Laxative Herbs
Rhubarb (Da Huang): Bitter and cold, it purges heat and promotes bowel movements to clear stagnation.
Glauber’s Salt (Mang Xiao): Softens stools and clears heat through elimination.
Blood-Nourishing Herbs
Angelica Root (Dang Gui): Nourishes and moves blood, preventing excessive purging from harming vitality.
White Peony (Bai Shao): Soothes the liver and balances blood, reducing muscle tension.
Sichuan Lovage (Chuan Xiong): Invigorates blood and relieves pain, especially in the head.
Spleen-Strengthening Herbs
Atractylodes (Bai Zhu): Strengthens the spleen, improves digestion, and clears dampness.
Licorice Root (Gan Cao): Harmonizes the formula, soothes the stomach, and moderates the formula’s intensity.
Supporting Herb
Ginger (Sheng Jiang): Added during decoction, it warms the stomach and boosts the formula’s effectiveness.
These herbs work together to dispel wind, clear heat, regulate blood, and promote digestion, addressing both surface and internal symptoms.
What Does It Do?
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is designed to:
Dispel Wind and Relieve Exterior Symptoms: Clears wind-heat causing fever, sore throat, or red eyes.
Purge Heat: Removes internal heat through urination and bowel movements.
Relieve Constipation: Softens stools and clears digestive stagnation.
Regulate Qi and Blood: Ensures smooth energy flow and prevents blood stasis.
It’s particularly effective for “wind-heat” conditions, where external wind combines with internal heat, leading to symptoms like:
Fever, chills, or dizziness
Red, painful eyes or dry mouth
Sore throat, cough, or chest tightness
Bloating, vomiting, or constipation
Runny nose, phlegm, or asthma
Skin issues like eczema, ulcers, or hives
Hemorrhoids or intestinal discomfort
Yellow, greasy tongue coating and rapid pulse
How It Works
The formula’s multi-pronged approach targets both external and internal imbalances:
Releasing the Exterior: Siler, schizonepeta, ephedra, and mint induce sweating to expel wind and heat, relieving fever and sore throat.
Clearing Internal Heat: Skullcap, gardenia, gypsum, and magnolia cool the body, reducing inflammation and irritability.
Promoting Elimination: Rhubarb and Glauber’s salt purge heat through bowel movements, while talc promotes urination to drain dampness.
Nourishing Blood: Angelica, white peony, and Sichuan lovage prevent excessive purging from weakening the body.
Supporting Digestion: Atractylodes and licorice strengthen the spleen, ensuring healthy digestion and energy balance.
This balanced approach makes it effective for complex conditions involving both surface symptoms (like colds) and internal issues (like constipation or skin inflammation).
Modern Applications
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is widely used today for its versatility, backed by pharmacological research. Key applications include:
Wind-Heat Colds: Relieves fever, headache, sore throat, and congestion caused by viral infections.
Hypertension: Lowers blood pressure and eases dizziness or headaches by clearing heat and improving circulation.
Migraines: Reduces severe headaches and nausea, especially those triggered by heat or stress.
Obesity: Promotes weight loss by boosting metabolism and increasing stool output, as shown in rat studies where it activated brown adipose tissue without altering food intake.
High Cholesterol: Lowers blood lipids, reducing dizziness and chest tightness.
Arteriosclerosis: Improves blood flow to counter poor circulation.
Constipation and Hemorrhoids: Softens stools and reduces swelling or pain.
Skin Conditions: Treats eczema, hives, acne, rosacea, or erysipelas by clearing heat and dampness.
Fatty Liver and Diabetes: Supports liver function and blood sugar control.
Eye Issues: Manages conjunctivitis or keratitis by reducing inflammation.
Drug Poisoning: Aids detoxification by promoting toxin excretion.
In Japan, it’s dubbed the “magic fat-reducing recipe” for its weight loss benefits, making it popular in wellness circles.
Important Notes
Due to its potent effects, use Fang Feng Tong Sheng San with caution:
Contraindications: Avoid in people with cold constitutions, spleen deficiency (loose stools), or pregnant women, as its cooling and purging nature may harm fetal qi or weaken digestion.
Long-Term Use: Prolonged use may deplete vital energy and immunity due to its strong laxative and heat-clearing effects.
Professional Guidance: Always consult a TCM practitioner to ensure proper dosage and suitability.
Conclusion
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is a time-honored Chinese herbal formula that excels at dispelling wind, clearing heat, and relieving constipation. With herbs like siler, mint, rhubarb, and atractylodes, it treats a wide range of conditions, from colds and migraines to obesity and skin issues.
Modern research confirms its metabolic and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it a valuable remedy in both traditional and contemporary medicine. When used under expert guidance, this formula offers safe, effective relief for complex symptoms, restoring balance and promoting health.
