Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin
Formula Rhyme: Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin features Honeysuckle as its sovereign herb, supported by Angelica, Peony, Frankincense, Myrrh, Tangerine Peel, and Zao Jia. It's prepared with Fang Feng, Bai Zhi, Fritillary, Flower Pollen, and Licorice, decocted with wine, primarily aimed at resolving Yang-type carbuncles internally.
Formula Rationale: This condition often stems from a robust accumulation of heat-toxins, compounded by stagnation of Qi (vital energy), blood stasis, and phlegm accumulation. The treatment strategy focuses on clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling, resolving masses, activating blood circulation, and relieving pain. The intense local redness, swelling, heat, and pain are signs of heat-toxins vigorously congregating, leading to the stagnation of Ying Qi (nutritive Qi), Qi stagnation, and blood stasis, which then coalesce into a visible mass. When the body's healthy Qi and pathogenic factors vigorously contend on the surface, you might experience fever with chills. The presence of both strong healthy Qi and robust pathogens clashing within the channels typically manifests as a rapid and forceful pulse.
In this formula, Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), with its sweet and cold properties, is heavily emphasized as the sovereign herb for its powerful heat-clearing, detoxifying, and sore-healing actions. Angelica Tail (Dang Gui Wei), Red Peony Root (Chi Shao), Frankincense (Ru Xiang), Myrrh (Mo Yao), and Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) collectively serve as ministerial herbs, working to move Qi, activate blood circulation, unblock channels, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain. In the early stages of carbuncles and sores, the pathogenic factors often linger within the skin and superficial tissues. When combined with Dahurian Angelica Root (Bai Zhi) and Ledebouriella Root (Fang Feng), these herbs promote smooth flow, disperse stagnation, and help expel heat-toxins to the exterior. Fritillary Bulb (Bei Mu) and Trichosanthes Root (Tian Hua Fen) clear heat, transform phlegm, and resolve masses, preventing pus formation. Spina Gleditsiae (Zao Jiao Ci) and Pangolin Scales (Chuan Shan Jia) facilitate movement through the channels, promote pus discharge, and soften hard masses, ensuring that pus, once formed, can easily erupt. These are all assistant herbs. Licorice Root (Gan Cao) clears heat, detoxifies, and harmonizes the actions of all other herbs. The decoction is prepared with wine to enhance its ability to promote blood circulation throughout the body and help the medicinal power reach the affected area directly. These collectively serve as guiding/harmonizing herbs. Together, all the ingredients in this formula effectively clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, resolve hard masses, activate blood circulation, and relieve pain.
Dosage and Administration of Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin
Composition: Dahurian Angelica Root (Bai Zhi) 3g; Fritillary Bulb (Bei Mu), Ledebouriella Root (Fang Feng), Red Peony Root (Chi Shao Yao), Angelica Tail (Dang Gui Wei), Licorice Root (Gan Cao Jie), Stir-fried Spina Gleditsiae (Zao Jiao Ci), Pan-fried Pangolin Scales (Chuan Shan Jia), Trichosanthes Root (Tian Hua Fen), Frankincense (Ru Xiang), Myrrh (Mo Yao) each 6g; Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) each 9g.
Traditional Preparation: Decocted with one large bowl of wine, boiled five to seven times before serving.
Modern Preparation: Decoct with water, or with equal parts water and wine.
Modifications:
- For severe redness, swelling, and pain with pronounced heat-toxins, herbs like Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao), Purple Flower Ding (Zi Hua Di Ding), or Wild Chrysanthemum (Ye Ju Hua) can be added to amplify its heat-clearing and detoxifying effects.
- For constipation, Rhubarb (Da Huang) can be added to purge heat and promote bowel movements.
- For excessive blood heat, Tree Peony Bark (Dan Pi) can be added to cool the blood.
- For Qi deficiency, Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) can be added to tonify Qi.
- For those who prefer not to consume alcohol, the formula can be decocted with equal parts wine and water, or simply with water.
- Additionally, depending on the location of the carbuncles or swellings, appropriate "guide herbs" (εΌη»θ―) may be added to direct the medicinal effects straight to the affected area. Beyond oral consumption, the herbal dregs can be mashed and applied externally.
Functions and Indications of Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin
Functions: Clears heat, detoxifies, reduces swelling, resolves masses, activates blood circulation, and relieves pain.
Indications: Primarily treats the early stages of Yang-type carbuncles, sores, swellings, and toxic swellings. Key symptoms include redness, swelling, intense pain with a burning sensation, or fever with chills, a thin white or yellow tongue coating, and a rapid, forceful pulse. This formula is considered a cornerstone for such conditions in TCM.
Applications: This formula is renowned as "the sacred remedy for carbuncles and sores, the primary formula in external medicine." It is highly suitable for various Yang-type carbuncles, swellings, and toxic conditions in robust individuals. In clinical practice, the diagnostic essentials for its application are redness, swelling, intense pain with a burning sensation, or fever with chills, a thin white or yellow tongue coating, and a rapid, forceful pulse.
Precautions for Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin
This formula should only be used before the carbuncle has ruptured; it is absolutely contraindicated if the lesion has already ulcerated. Given its predominantly cold and cooling nature, it is forbidden for yin-type carbuncles or sores. Individuals with an underlying weakness of the Spleen and Stomach, or those suffering from deficiency of Qi and Blood, should use this formula with extreme caution.
Classic Literature Excerpts on Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin
β Tang Zonghai's *Xue Zheng Lun* (Treatise on Blood Patterns), Volume 8: "This formula exclusively utilizes herbs that move blood, augmented with Ledebouriella Root and Dahurian Angelica Root to enable penetration to the skin surface, and Pangolin Scales and Spina Gleditsiae to facilitate passage through the meridians. However, blood cannot move without Qi, hence Tangerine Peel and Fritillary Bulb are included to disperse and regulate Qi. Blood coagulation is often due to heat, thus Honeysuckle and Trichosanthes Root are used to clear and resolve this heat. This is the foremost formula for dispersing swelling in carbuncle conditions. It truly grasps the essence of how carbuncles arise from blood stagnation. It is a balanced formula; by further assessing the Yin/Yang nature of the carbuncle and adding corresponding warming or cooling agents, it consistently yields effective results."
β‘ *Jiao Zhu Fu Ren Liang Fang* (Collated and Annotated Good Formulas for Women), Volume 24: "Treats all types of carbuncles and sores; those not yet formed will dissipate, and those already formed will rupture. It is also an excellent remedy for pain relief and detoxification."
Quick Check & Action Plan
If you're experiencing: Intense localized redness, swelling, a burning sensation, and pain, possibly accompanied by fever and chills, and have a strong, rapid pulse...
Then: These symptoms might indicate a "Yang-type carbuncle" in TCM.
Immediately: Consider cooling the affected area with a damp cloth to soothe discomfort and consult a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to determine if Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin or a similar formula is appropriate for your specific condition.
References
This formulation's mechanisms, particularly related to inflammation and tissue repair, have partial support from studies on its key ingredients and the broader principles of TCM.
The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of Lonicera japonica (Honeysuckle), a sovereign herb in this formula, are widely documented. PMID: 33139049
Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui) is recognized for its role in promoting blood circulation and modulating inflammatory responses, which aligns with the formula's action of activating blood circulation and relieving pain. PMID: 32331481
Herbal components common in Traditional Chinese Medicine, including those found in Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin, are continuously being researched for their efficacy in managing inflammatory conditions and skin infections. PMID: 30282136
For informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before use.
