Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang: A Classic Remedy for Acne and Inflammation

Health Lab
May 17
4 min read

For many seeking clear skin, acne can be a persistent challenge. In Chinese medicine, acne is often linked to internal heat, especially in the upper body. Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang, a time-tested herbal formula, is designed to address this issue by clearing upper body heat and reducing swelling and toxins. It is considered one of the top formulas for treating acne.

Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang comes from the Ming Dynasty medical text Wanbing Huichun (Restoration of Health from All Diseases), a comprehensive book filled with practical and effective formulas.

The text explains that facial sores and boils are typically caused by excessive heat in the upper body, and this formula is used to clear that heat, treating facial sores, boils, and toxin-related wind-heat conditions.

Formula Explanation of Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang

Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang has a complex but well-balanced composition, reflecting the Chinese medicine principle of “monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy”:

Monarch Herb: Huang Lian. Huang Lian targets the heart channel and is a key herb for clearing heat and toxins in the upper body, making it the primary ingredient for tackling acne-causing heat.
Supporting Herbs: Huang Qin, Zhi Zi. These herbs enhance Huang Lian’s ability to clear heat and detoxify, supporting the formula’s cooling effects.
Assistant Herbs: Lian Qiao, Bo He, Jing Jie, Fang Feng, Zhi Ke, Chuan Xiong, Jie Geng, Bai Zhi. Lian Qiao and Bo He, cooling and pungent, disperse wind-heat from the head and face; Jing Jie and Fang Feng expel external pathogens by dispersing wind; Zhi Ke and Chuan Xiong regulate qi and activate blood to reduce swelling and pain; Jie Geng and Bai Zhi guide the formula’s effects to the upper body and face, with Bai Zhi specifically targeting the stomach channel in the face.
Envoy Herb: Gan Cao. Gan Cao harmonizes the formula, ensuring balance and boosting its overall effectiveness.

Pathogenesis Analysis of Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang

To understand how Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang works, we need to look at its targeted pathogenesis from a Chinese medicine perspective. It addresses three key issues: wind-heat invasion, Yangming channel heat stagnation, and toxic heat rising to the face.

Wind-Heat Invasion

Wind-heat pathogens enter through the nose, mouth, or skin, triggering head and facial issues. This can cause fever, headache, or nasal congestion. Herbs like Jing Jie, Fang Feng, and Bo He in the formula disperse wind-heat, clearing surface symptoms and relieving early-stage discomfort.

Yangming Channel Heat Stagnation

The Yangming channels (stomach and large intestine) run through the face and are closely tied to facial conditions. Poor diet or emotional stress can cause heat to build up in these channels, leading to flushed face, thirst, constipation, and skin issues like acne. Huang Lian, Huang Qin, and Zhi Zi clear this Yangming heat, reducing facial symptoms.

Toxic Heat Rising

When internal heat accumulates, it can turn into toxic heat, rising to the face and causing red, swollen, painful sores or even pus. This is the root of many inflammatory facial conditions. Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Zhi Zi, and Lian Qiao clear toxic heat, reduce swelling, and promote healing.

Main Effects of Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang

Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang’s primary role is to “clear upper body heat,” making it ideal for head and facial skin issues, swelling, and pain caused by Yangming heat, such as sores and boils, with the best results for scalp sores. Specific symptoms include:

Throat pain
Irritability, chest discomfort, dry mouth, thirst, bad breath, itchy skin, or itchy eyes

According to Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu, this formula treats recurring facial sores, including acne, pimples, blackheads, rosacea, red or purple spots, and itchy skin.

The formula offers the following key effects:

Clearing Upper Body Heat: Removes excess heat to restore balance.
Detoxifying and Reducing Swelling: Clears toxins and reduces swelling to heal skin issues.
Dispersing Wind and Surface Symptoms: Expels wind-heat to relieve surface symptoms.

Modern Applications

Modern research notes a 30% increase in acne cases during summer, and Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang is highly effective unless the acne is caused by excessive cold water intake. It is used for:

Wind-heat common cold
Purulent head, face, or throat infections (in excess heat patterns)
Tonsillitis, acute pharyngitis
Mastitis, cellulitis, abscesses

Pharmacological studies show that Huang Lian, Huang Qin, and Zhi Zi have anti-inflammatory effects, while Lian Qiao and Bo He offer broad-spectrum antibacterial properties.

Precautions

When using Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang, keep the following in mind:

Pattern Differentiation: Chinese medicine emphasizes pattern-based treatment. Consult a practitioner to confirm suitability, as this formula is for heat-type acne. Cold-type acne may worsen with this formula, so identifying the body’s heat or cold pattern is crucial.
Dietary Guidelines: Maintain a light diet, avoiding spicy or irritating foods during treatment.

Conclusion

Qing Shang Fang Feng Tang, a classic formula from Wanbing Huichun, remains highly valuable today. By understanding its background, composition, indications, effects, and precautions, we can use this ancient wisdom to improve skin health and overall well-being, especially for acne and inflammatory conditions.