Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang
Star清上防风汤 (Clear the Upper and Guard the Wind Decoction)
Source: Wan Bing Hui Chun — Gong Ting-Xian (1587)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang (Clear the Upper and Guard the Wind Decoction), from the Wan Bing Hui Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian.
Actions: Clears heat from the upper jiao; Clears heat and eliminates toxins.
Presentation: Wind, heat, and toxins in the upper body: boils, acne, eczema, flushed face, and red eyes.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 349.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 6.58% | Clears heat and toxins from the upper body | |
|
Huang Qin
chao (dry-fried) with liquor; as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 9.21% | Clears heat and toxins from the upper body | |
|
Zhi Zi
as printed: Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 6.58% | Clears heat and toxins from the upper body | |
|
Fang Feng
as printed: Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) 3g
|
3g | 13.16% | Eliminates wind and toxins at the surface, dispels phlegm | |
|
Bo He
as printed: Bo He (Herba Menthae) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 6.58% | Eliminates wind and toxins at the surface | |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 10.53% | Eliminates wind and toxins, dispels phlegm | |
|
Jing Jie
as printed: Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 6.58% | Eliminates wind and toxins at the surface | |
|
Lian Qiao
as printed: Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 10.53% | Reduces swelling and drains pus | |
|
Zhi Ke
Explanation gives Latin as Fructus Aurantii; as printed: Zhi Qiao (Fructus Citri Aurantii) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 6.58% | Reduces swelling and drains pus | |
|
Bai Zhi
as printed: Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 10.53% | Guides the herbs to the upper body | |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 9.21% | Guides the herbs to the upper body | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 3.95% | Harmonizes the formula |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net slightly cool (-0.29)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 22%, cool 24%, neutral 14%, warm 40%.
Pairs warm and cool. 40% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 46% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Huang Lian 1.5g (cold, 7% of the grams), Huang Qin 2.1g (cold, 9% of the grams), Zhi Zi 1.5g (cold, 7% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 47%
- sweet 11%
- sour 2%
- bitter 40%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 71%
- Liver 42%
- Spleen 40%
- Stomach 37%
- Heart 37%
- Large intestine 33%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Decoct with a small amount of Zhu Li (Succus Bambusae); take warm and strained after meals.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Jie Geng Tang + Bai Zhi, Bo He, Chuan Xiong, Fang Feng, Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Jing Jie, Lian Qiao, Zhi Ke and Zhi Zi
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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