[Source]

Wai Ke Zheng Zong, Volume 4.

 [Composition]

Angelica sinensis, raw Rehmannia, Saposhnikovia root, Cicada slough, Anemarrhena rhizome, Sophora root, Sesame seed, Schizonepeta, Atractylodes rhizome, Burdock seed, Gypsum, Licorice, Akebia stem
(13)

 [Categorization]

<Tonify Blood>: Angelica sinensis

<Tonify Liver and Kidney>: Sesame seed

<Clear Heat and Cool Blood>: Raw Rehmannia

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Qi>: Licorice

<Disperse Wind with Acrid Coolness>: Cicada slough, Burdock seed

<Clear Heat and Dry Dampness>: Sophora root

<Disperse Wind with Acrid Warmth>: Saposhnikovia root, Schizonepeta

<Aromatize and Transform Dampness>: Atractylodes rhizome

<Clear Heat and Drain Fire>: Anemarrhena rhizome, Gypsum

<Promote Urination and Drain Dampness>: Akebia stem

[Formula Explanation]

Zhong Yao Fang Ji Xue: Itching originates from wind, so stopping itching must first disperse wind. Therefore, the formula primarily uses Schizonepeta, Saposhnikovia root, Burdock seed, and Cicada slough to open the pores and release external wind evil. Because damp-heat accumulation leads to overflow of bodily fluids, Atractylodes rhizome, with its acrid and warm properties, disperses wind and expels dampness; Sophora root, with its bitter and cold properties, clears heat and dries dampness to stop itching; Akebia stem promotes urination and drains damp-heat. These act as assistant herbs. When wind-heat invades the skin and affects the blood level, Angelica sinensis harmonizes the blood and invigorates circulation, raw Rehmannia clears heat and cools the blood, and Sesame seed nourishes the blood and moistens dryness. Gypsum and Anemarrhena rhizome enhance the effect of clearing heat and draining fire. These are all adjunctive herbs. Licorice detoxifies and harmonizes the other herbs, serving as a guiding herb. Combined, they have the functions of dispersing wind, clearing heat, resolving dampness, and reducing swelling. Han Dian: In the formula, Angelica sinensis and Rehmannia can moisten the blood; Sophora root can clear blood heat and treat itchy sores and scabies. Anemarrhena rhizome and Gypsum also clear blood heat and resolve thirst. Burdock seed and Cicada slough treat wind-heat and resolve carbuncle toxicity. Schizonepeta and Saposhnikovia root also remove wind-heat and treat scabies. Akebia stem unblocks stagnation in the blood vessels.

 [Functions]

Clears blood heat and moistens dry blood. Dispels dampness, clears heat, and stops itching.

 [Indications]

Used for skin diseases with internal heat, excessive secretions, and severe itching. Invasion of skin by wind-damp-heat-toxin, leading to urticaria, eczema, and rubella. Skin rashes are red, with persistent itching. Scratching leads to exudation of serous fluid. Symptoms include thirst, white or yellow tongue coating, and a floating, rapid, forceful pulse.

 [Approved Indications]

Chronic eczema, urticaria, fungal infections (water bugs), prickly heat, pruritus, lichen, and various summer skin diseases.

 [Contraindications]

(1) Not suitable for those with qi and blood deficiency, as the wind-dispersing and damp-expelling herbs in the formula can injure yin and blood. Although there are herbs like Angelica sinensis, raw Rehmannia, and Sesame seed that nourish blood, invigorate circulation, and moisten dryness, the overall tonic effect is relatively weak due to mutual inhibition. (2) External application of medicated washes should be combined with oral administration of this formula for greater efficacy. (3) During administration of this formula, avoid spicy, pungent foods, fish, seafood, rich and greasy foods, smoking, and strong tea, to prevent affecting therapeutic efficacy or causing relapse. (4) There are other formulas named “Xiao Feng San” in the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang and Yao Yi De Jiu Fang with different ingredients and indications. Care should be taken to distinguish them when selecting.

 [Mnemonic]

Tonify Blood, Spleen, Liver, Kidney: Gui Cao Hu (Angelica, Licorice, Sesame). Disperse Exterior: Fang Jie Qian Mai Niu Tuo Chan (Saposhnikovia, Schizonepeta, Qiancao, Burdock, Cicada, Atractylodes). Clear Heat: Gypsum, Anemarrhena rhizome, Sophora root, raw Rehmannia. : Cang Tong (Atractylodes, Akebia). High-aged mother works hard to earn money to buy land and become smooth.

 [Additions and Subtractions]

(1) For severe wind-toxin, add Forsythia fruit and Honeysuckle flower to disperse wind, clear heat, and detoxify. (2) For severe blood heat, add Lithospermum root and Red peony root to clear heat and cool the blood. (3) For severe damp-heat, add Fructus Kochiae and Plantain seed to clear and drain damp-heat. (4) For severe heat in the blood, with symptoms of vexation in the five palms, red or dark red tongue, add Red peony root, Moutan bark, and Lithospermum root to clear heat and cool the blood.

 [Pharmacology]

Exhibits anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, immunosuppressive, and antimicrobial effects.