【Source】

“Huichun (1587)”, “Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu (1773), Volume 5.”

 【Composition】

Siler (Fang Feng), Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao), Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi), Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin), Ligusticum Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Coptis Root (Huang Lian), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), Gardenia Fruit (Zhi Zi), Bitter Orange Peel (Zhi Ke), Peppermint (Bo He), Licorice Root (Gan Cao)
(12 ingredients)

 【Categories】

<Regulating Qi>: Bitter Orange Peel (Zhi Ke)

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Licorice Root (Gan Cao)

<Releasing the Exterior with Cool-Acrid Herbs>: Peppermint (Bo He)

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Coptis Root (Huang Lian), Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin)

<Releasing the Exterior with Warm-Acrid Herbs>: Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), Siler (Fang Feng)

<Invigorating Blood and Dispelling Stasis>: Ligusticum Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong)

<Transforming Phlegm>: Platycodon Root (Jie Geng)

<Clearing Heat and Draining Fire>: Gardenia Fruit (Zhi Zi)

<Clearing Heat and Detoxing>: Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao)

【Formula Explanation】

“Han Dian”: Coptis Root (Huang Lian), Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin), Gardenia Fruit (Zhi Zi), etc., all clear and resolve excessive heat. Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi), Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), Ligusticum Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), Siler (Fang Feng), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), etc., all act on the Upper Jiao and the head and face, with functions of expelling wind, detoxifying, and eliminating toxins. Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao) and Bitter Orange Peel (Zhi Ke) together resolve and disperse purulent toxins.

 【Functions】

Clears fire from the Upper Jiao.

 【Applications】

This formula aims to clear, resolve, and disperse excessive heat from the Upper Jiao, treating conditions where there is abundant heat in the Upper Jiao, manifesting as sores on the head and face. It can be used when Jing Fang Bai Du San is considered too mild, and Fang Feng Tong Sheng San is considered too strong.

 【Indications】

Acne (papules/pustules) in young men and women with excess patterns, head eczema, conjunctival congestion, rosacea (rhinophyma).

 【Mnemonic】

<Release Exterior, Clear Heat>: The herbs are: Siler (防, Fáng), Angelica Dahurica (芷, Zhǐ), Schizonepeta (荊, Jīng), Peppermint (荷, Hé from 薄荷 Bo He), Gardenia Fruit (梔, Zhī), Scutellaria Root (芩, Qín), Forsythia Fruit (連, Lián), Coptis Root (連, Lián), Bitter Orange Peel (枳, Zhǐ), Ligusticum Chuanxiong (芎, Xiōng), Platycodon Root (桔, Jié), Licorice Root (甘, Gān). This forms a phonetic mnemonic: 防止借錢負荷 (Fáng Zhǐ Jiè Qián Fù Hè) → “Prevent borrowing money burden,” 勤儉連連少支出 (Qín Jiǎn Lián Lián Shǎo Zhī Chū) → “Be diligent and thrifty repeatedly to reduce spending,” 只因極窮不甘 (Zhǐ Yīn Jí Qióng Bù Gān) → “Only because extreme poverty is unbearable.”