Applications of Xiao Feng San (Eliminate Wind Powder) for Pets

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Applications of Xiao Feng San (Eliminate Wind Powder) for Pets [1]

Skin conditions are some of the most common disorders that a pet may suffer. And in many cases, the condition of a pet’s skin is an indicator of their overall health. It is very important, therefore, to pay close attention when a pet exhibits signs of having a skin issue, such as excessive biting, scratching, or licking of a particular area.

There are many reasons why pets have skin problems. Some common sources include pests like fleas and ticks, environmental allergens, excessive scratching, food allergies, or even drug allergies. Whatever the reason, Chinese herbal medicine can help.

A good herbal formula to treat general skin conditions that Western Medicine terms dermatitis or urticaria is Xiao Feng San (Eliminate Wind Powder). According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, itchy and red skin abrasions over large parts of the body may be due to wind-heat or wind-dampness attacking the skin and muscle layers of the body. This disharmony can lead to skin rashes, dermatitis, severe itching, and fluid leakage. To treat this condition, one must dispel wind and dampness, clear heat, and cool the blood.

The following details the uses of Xiao Feng San (Eliminate Wind Powder) and how it can help your pet.

Xiāo Fēng Săn (Eliminate Wind Powder)

Pinyin Name: Xiao Feng San
Literal Name: Eliminate Wind Powder
Alternate Names: Hsiao Feng San, Wind-Dispelling Formula, Wind-Dispelling Powder, Tangkuei and Arctium Formula
Original Source: Wai Ke Zheng Zong (True Lineage of External Medicine) by Chen Shi-Gong in 1617

Composition
Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae) 3g [6g]
Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) 3g [6g]
Chan Tui (Periostracum Cicadae) 3g [6g]
Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii) 3g [6g]
Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) 3g [6g]
Ku Shen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) 3g [6g]
Mu Tong (Caulis Akebiae) 1.5g [3g]
Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 3g [6g]
Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) 3g [6g]
Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae) 3g [6g]
Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 3g [6g]
Hei Zhi Ma (Semen Sesami Nigrum) 3g [6g]
Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 1.5g [3g]

Dosage / Preparation / Administration
The source text recommends cooking the ingredients with 2 bowls of water until the liquid is reduced to 80% (1.6 bowls). Take the strained decoction while warm. Today, the decoction can be prepared using the doses given in brackets above.

Chinese Therapeutic Actions

1. Expels wind and nourishes the blood
2. Clears heat and dispels dampness

Clinical Manifestations
Rashes: eczema and skin rashes with red discoloration affecting a large part of the body, severe itching and leakage of fluids upon scratching, a dark pink to red tongue, and a superficial, rapid and forceful pulse.

Veterinary Clinical Applications

Dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and folliculitis (furunculosis).

Explanation

Xiao Feng San (Eliminate Wind Powder) treats wind-dampness and wind-heat attacking the skin and muscle layers of the body, giving rise to skin rashes, dermatitis, severe itching, and leakage of fluids. The treatment approach for this syndrome is to dispel wind and dampness, clear heat, and cool the blood.

Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae), Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Chan Tui (Periostracum Cicadae), and Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii) are the chief herbs that dispel wind from the exterior. Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) strengthens the Spleen and dries dampness. Ku Shen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) clears heat and dries dampness. Mu Tong (Caulis Akebiae) eliminates damp-heat through diuresis. Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) and Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) clear heat and sedate fire. Since wind-dampness and wind-heat may injure yin and blood, Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae), Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), and Hei Zhi Ma (Semen Sesami Nigrum) are added to tonify the blood, nourish yin, and moisten dryness. Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) clears heat, eliminates toxins, and harmonizes the formula.

Veterinary Modifications

• With more wind-heat, add Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae) and Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae).
• With more damp-heat, add Di Fu Zi (Fructus Kochiae), Che Qian Zi (Semen Plantaginis) and Tu Fu Ling (Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae).
• With heat in the xue (blood) level, add Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan) and Zi Cao (Radix Arnebiae).
• With more infection, add Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae), Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae) and Ban Lan Gen (Radix Isatidis).
• For moist, oozing dermatitis with fluids in the lesions, add Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis).
• With significant dampness and yeast, double the amount of Ku Shen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis).
• With more itching, add Bai Xian Pi (Cortex Dictamni), Chan Tui (Periostracum Cicadae), Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus) and Zi Cao (Radix Arnebiae).

Pharmacological Effects

1. Antiallergic and immunosuppressive: Administration of Xiao Feng San was associated with marked action to treat allergy and suppress the immune systems of mice.1 [2]
2. Mast cell stabilizer: Administration of Xiao Feng San and Ma Huang Xing Ren Gan Cao Shi Gao Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Licorice, and Gypsum Decoction) at 4-40 mcg/mL was found to inhibit IgE-dependent histamine released from mouse-cultured mast cells.2 [3]

Herb-Drug Interaction
Ampicillin-induced rash: Ampicillin-induced allergic rash in 68 patients was treated with herbs with 96% effectiveness, as reported in one study. The herbal treatment contained Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9g, Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae) 9g, Hei Zhi Ma (Semen Sesami Nigrum) 9g, Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae) 9g, Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) 9g, Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii) 9g, Chan Tui (Periostracum Cicadae) 9g, Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) 9g, Ku Shen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) 9g, Duan Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum Praeparatum) 9g, Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) 9g, Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 4g, and Mu Tong (Caulis Akebiae) 4g as the base formula. Modifications were made when necessary, with the addition of Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) 6g for wind-heat; Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) 9g for heat in the blood; Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 6g for heat and toxins; and the addition of Che Qian Zi (Semen Plantaginis) 6g and elimination of Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) for damp-heat. The study reported complete recovery in 65 of 68 patients within 1-4 packs of herbs given via herbal decoction.3 [4]

Suggested Acupuncture Treatment

1. Points: Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Fengmen (BL 12), Jianyu (LI 15), Yangxi (LI 5), Dazhui (GV 14), Quchi (LI 11), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and Shenmen (HT 7).
2. Technique: sedation.

This acupuncture treatment is designed to dispel wind, nourish the blood, clear heat, and eliminate dampness. Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), and Fengmen (BL 12) clear wind to stop the itch. Jianyu (LI 15), Yangxi (LI 5), and Dazhui (GV 14) are combined to dispel wind and clear heat. Quchi (LI 11) clears heat from the yangming level. Yinlingquan (SP 9) strengthens the Spleen and dispels dampness. Sanyinjiao (SP 6) nourishes the blood and promotes blood circulation. Shenmen (HT 7) relieves itching.

Comments
From a traditional Chinese medical perspective, Xiao Feng San treats dermatological disorders caused by wind-dampness and wind-heat attacking the skin. In terms of anatomy and physiology, such dermatological disorders are similar in location and manifestation to allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. Clinical applications include skin rashes and hives, itching and dermatitis secondary to environmental allergens, fleas, drugs, chemicals, or food. Xiao Feng San can also be combined with other formulas for additional clinical applications:

• In cases of wind-heat that has progressed to pyoderma, Xiao Feng San can be combined with Yin Qiao San (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder).
• For pyoderma caused by internally generated heat in the Liver, it can be combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentiana Decoction to Drain the Liver).
• It can be combined with Dang Gui Yin Zi (Tangkuei Decoction) to treat chronic dermatitis cases in which the underlying, chronic yin and blood deficiencies have predisposed the animal to external wind invasion, especially during seasonal allergy times in the spring and fall.

In addition to using Xiao Feng San internally to relieve itching, Ku Shen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) and She Chuang Zi (Fructus Cnidii) can be used as an external wash to enhance the overall effects. Furthermore, administration of a topical application of Ma Chi Xian (Herba Portulacae) as an herbal paste also increases the overall effectiveness of Xiao Feng San.

About the Author
Dr. Signe Beebe is a graduate of Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine. After becoming interested in Chinese medicine, she became certified in veterinary acupuncture, Chinese herbology, veterinary tui-na, and Chinese food therapy by the Chi Institute of Chinese Veterinary Medicine and China National Society of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).

Dr. Beebe currently owns the Integrative Veterinary Center in California, where she integrates acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine with conventional veterinary medical care. She is also a faculty member of the Chi Institute of Chinese Veterinary Medicine, and is an assistant editor and board member of the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (AJTCVM). She is currently co-authoring a reference textbook, Chinese Herbal Formulas for Veterinarians, with John Chen, Ph.D, PharmD, O.M.D., L.Ac. and Michael Salewski, DVM on veterinary applications of the classical Chinese herbal formulas found in Dr. Chen's Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications. Dr. Beebe regularly lectures at various meetings and conferences in the United States and around the world.

To learn more about TCM for pets, click here [5] to view a complete list of courses by Signe Beebe.