Jade Windscreen
Yu ping feng san
Kan Traditionals
Supplements the Lung and Defensive (Wei) Qi, stabilizes the Exterior and fortifies the Spleen.
- Herb: Astragalus root, White atractylodes rhizome, Siler root, Chinese cinnamon twig, White peony root, Chinese yam rhizome, Black jujube fruit
- Herb (Pinyin): Huang qi, Bai zhu, Fang feng, Gui zhi, Bai shao, Shan yao, Hei zao
- Pattern: Defensive (Wei) Qi and Lung Qi deficiency
- Actions: Supplements the Lung and Defensive (Wei) Qi, stabilizes the Exterior and fortifies the Spleen
- Indications: Occasional fatigue, lethargy, Supports the immune system, Supports general wellbeing, Supports healthy respiratory functions, Supports healthy Lungs
- Contraindications: Contraindicated during a Wind Cold or Wind Heat invasion.
- Tongue: Pale, puffy with a thin white coating.
- Pulse: Floating or forceless and thready.
Jade Windscreen is based on Jade Windscreen Powder (Yu Ping Feng San), the classic formula for strengthening the Defensive (Wei) Qi. Wei Qi is the body’s first line of defense against Wind invasion and against weather and environmental challenges. Within the strategy of stabilizing the Exterior and the Lung, Yu Ping Feng San is the representative formula for building Wei Qi. It is also suited to an acute Wind Cold invasion in a patient too deficient to tolerate a purely dispersing formula.
Kan’s version adds herbs that harmonize the Nutritive (Ying) and Defensive (Wei) Qi and further supplement Qi and the Middle Burner. It is intended for sustained use, ideally at least one month and often several. It supports general health and healthy immune function in those with weakened resistance, and it is an important formula in pediatric practice.
Formula Composition
Astragalus root (Huang Qi), the chief herb, is used in a large dose to fortify the Exterior and strongly tonify Qi. It benefits the exterior aspects of the Lung and Spleen, which makes it especially suited to Qi deficiency with unstable Wei Qi. White atractylodes rhizome (Bai Zhu), the deputy, reinforces Astragalus by strengthening Spleen Qi. Because the Spleen is the source of Qi and Blood, a stronger Spleen in turn stabilizes the Exterior, and these two herbs form the tonifying foundation of the formula. Siler root (Fang Feng) circulates at the exterior level and expels Wind, the primary pathogen of concern. Paired with Astragalus, it expels invasions before they can linger, and Astragalus’s tonifying action means it does so without depleting Qi.
The added herbs harmonize Ying and Wei and deepen the formula’s tonifying effect. Chinese cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), sweet, acrid and warm, is a classical companion to this formula. Here it is paired with White peony root (Bai Shao), sour and slightly cold, to harmonize Ying and Wei, consolidate the surface and address Qi deficiency. Chinese yam rhizome (Shan Yao) moistens and strengthens the Lung and Kidney and secures the Essence. Black jujube fruit tonifies the Spleen, augments Qi and Blood, generates fluids, calms the Spirit and harmonizes the formula.
Jade Windscreen is appropriate for both adults and children seeking to strengthen their natural defenses and overall wellbeing.
Origins and Development
Yu Ping Feng San is classically associated with Zhu Dan-Xi and his tradition, appearing in Dan-Xi’s Experiential Therapy (Dan Xi Xin Fa, 1481). The formula acts as a protective screen against Wind, and it was considered as precious as jade, which gives it its name.