XIAO FENG SAN (BP030) Sophhora and Rehmannia Formula Complex

Indication

This is one of several variant formulas, all with the same name, that have appeared in various formularies since the original was recorded in the ‘Formulary of the Tai Ping Welfare Dispensary Bureau’ (tai ping hui min he ji ju fang), 1151 CE. The most recent version, upon which this formulation is based, is from the ‘Orthodox Manual of External Medicine’ (wai ke zheng zong), by Chen Shi-gong, 1617.

In contrast to the other variants, this one is a well balanced formulation because of the inclusion of herbal ingredients that nourish the Blood and Yin and also regenerate the Body Fluids. This is important because the presence of the pathogens, or rather, the consequences of the struggle between the pathogens and the health Qi, causes damage to the Blood and Yin, depleting the Body Fluids. Furthermore, the actions of the pathogen dispelling herbs may also lead to similar damage.

This can lead to a stalemate in the process of resolving this disorder because deficiency of the Blood and Yin-fluid tends to aggravate the Wind and Heat, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of the condition. Clinically this formula specifically targets the subacute manifestations of itchy skin disorders due to Wind, Damp and Heat such as eczema or dermatitis.

This stage generally begins two to three weeks after the initial onset. The signs and symptoms are the same as those of the acute stage, the difference being that they are present to a considerably lesser degree. It should be noted that this formula is not designed to be used alone in the acute and active stages of these conditions.

The synergistic actions of the herbs are as follows:

Atractylodes rhizome (cang zhu), Sophora root (ku shen), Dictamnus bark (bai xian pi), Bassia fruit (di fu zi): dispel Wind-Damp from the skin and alleviate itching.

Saposhnikovia root (fang feng), Schizonepeta herb top (jing jie): disperse Wind from the Exterior and alleviate itching.

Rehmannia root (sheng di huang), Paeonia root (chi shao), Arnebia root (zi cao): clear Heat and cool the Blood.

Angelica root (dang-gui), Rehmannia root (sheng di huang), Paeonia root (chi shao): nourish the Blood.

Rehmannia root (sheng di huang): regenerate the Body Fluids.

Glycyrrhiza root (gan cao): harmonises the formula and protects the Stomach from the harsh dispersing action of the other ingredients.

Indications:

Subacute stage of: eczema, dermatitis, urticaria, erysipelas

Signs & Symptoms:

Mild to moderate itching and inflammation of the skin

Skin lesions have been present for around 2 weeks or more

Papules and vesicles (less than in acute stage)

Exudation and crusting of lesions

Tongue is normal or swollen with tooth marks, with a thick coat that may be white or yellow

Pulse is slippery or floating and may also be rapid

Combinations:

Eczema or urticaria, acute to improve efficacy:

LONG DAN XIE GAN TANG

Eczema, chronic or dermatitis:

HUO LUO XIAO LING DAN

SI MIAO YONG AN WAN (Jia Wei)

Psoriasis, chronic stage:

XUE FU ZHU YU TANG

SI MIAO YONG AN WAN (Jia Wei)

TCM Syndromes: Wind and Damp-Heat in the skin.

TCM Actions: Disperses Wind, clears Damp-Heat, alleviates itching.