History & Use of Yu Ping Feng San
History of Yu Ping Feng San
In the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are numerous herbal formulas that have stood the test of time. One such revered formula is Yu Ping Feng San(YPFS), also known as Jade Wind Screen. Yu Ping Feng San derives its name from its primary function of forming a screen or barrier against the invasion of wind, otherwise known as airborne pathogens. Its combination of three key ingredients – the root of Astragalus (Huang Qi), the rhizomes of Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), and the root of Saposhnikovia (Fang Feng) – works synergistically to strengthen and fortify the immune system.
It was first mentioned in The Teachings of Zhu Dan-Xi (Dan Xi Xin Fa) during the Song Dynasty, dating back to 920 A.D. With its rich history spanning centuries, Yu Ping Feng San has been considered a go-to remedy for bolstering the immune system and protecting against respiratory infections, especially during times of epidemics.
Health Benefits of Yu Ping Feng San
Respiratory Health
Yu Ping Feng San has been used over time to support respiratory health during allergy season, improve resistance to colds and flu, and even reduce the recurrence of asthma attacks.
Adult Allergic Rhinitis
One review published in 2017 in the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Journal, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of YPFS for treating adult allergic rhinitis.
Study Design
Databases: The review involved a comprehensive search of seven major databases.
Randomized Controlled Trials: The analysis included 22 randomized controlled trials.
Key Findings
Nasal Symptom Scores: YPFS effectively reduced nasal symptom scores, including itchy nose, sneezing, blocked nose, and runny nose, when compared to placebo.
Combination with Pharmacotherapy: The meta-analysis determined that YPFS, when used in combination with pharmacotherapy, was more effective than pharmacotherapy alone.
Conclusion
This review suggests that YPFS is effective in reducing the symptoms of adult allergic rhinitis, particularly when used alongside conventional pharmacotherapy. The findings support the potential therapeutic benefit of incorporating YPFS into treatment regimens for adult allergic rhinitis patients.
Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis
Another study published in Medicine Journal in 2023 reviewed the potential treatment effects and safety of Yu Ping Feng San for pediatric allergic rhinitis (PAR) patients.
Study Design
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: The researchers conducted a rigorous analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Participants and Data: The review included 10 RCTs involving 1,069 participants aged 3-15 years.
Key Findings
Efficacy Evaluation: The analysis did not show a significant benefit for the experimental group treated with YPFS. Variation in serum IgA, immunoglobulin E, and IgG levels did not show statistical significance between the experimental and control groups.
Safety and Recurrence: YPFS was found to have relatively better safety compared to Western medical therapies. The recurrence rates of symptoms were lower with YPFS.
Conclusion
Current Recommendations: The current evidence does not support the routine use of YPFS for the treatment of pediatric allergic rhinitis.
Need for Further Research: The study concludes that more large-scale, rigorously designed studies are necessary to determine the true utility and efficacy of YPFS in treating PAR.
This review highlights the need for further research despite some positive findings regarding the safety and lower recurrence rates associated with YPFS.
Asthma Recurrence
A 2019 study published in the Frontiers in Pharmacology Journal, investigated the potential efficacy and mechanism of Yu Ping Feng San against asthma recurrence.
Key Findings
Efficacy: YPFS was found to significantly alleviate the recurrence of asthma.
Comparison with Other Medications: It was more effective than three commonly used medications: dexamethasone, montelukast, and salbutamol.
Mechanism:
Bronchial Epithelial Barrier: YPFS restored the bronchial epithelial barrier through desmoglein 1 (DSG1).
TSLP Overexpression: YPFS decreased thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) overexpression, which contributes to chronic asthma relapse.
Conclusion
The study suggests that YPFS has promising potential as a therapeutic strategy against chronic asthma due to its efficacy in preventing asthma recurrence and its underlying mechanisms of action.
Acute Lung Injury
A recent 2023 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology aimed to investigate the effects of Shiwei Qingwen decoction (SWQ), which is a Chinese herbal formula based on Yu Ping Feng San, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and understand its mechanism of action.
Study Objectives
Chemical Composition: The researchers analyzed the chemical composition of SWQ.
ALI Rat Model: They evaluated the impact of SWQ in an LPS-induced ALI rat model.
Key Findings
Reduction in Lung Damage: SWQ reduced lung damage in the ALI rat model.
Inflammatory Mediators: The decoction decreased levels of inflammatory mediators and suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory factors.
Network Pharmacology Analysis: SWQ was associated with the TLR4/NF-κB inflammation pathway.
Protein Expression: SWQ downregulated proteins associated with the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. It also affected the NLRP3 inflammasome, both in vivo and in vitro.
Conclusions
Inflammation Alleviation: SWQ has the potential to alleviate inflammation in ALI by inhibiting the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways.
Clinical Implications: These results suggest the possible clinical application of SWQ in preventing and treating acute lung injury.
Based on these findings, the study concludes that SWQ could be a promising treatment option for acute lung injury through its anti-inflammatory effects.
Pretreatment to Respiratory Epidemics
Throughout history, Yu Ping Feng San has played a vital role in safeguarding health, particularly during times of epidemics. It has been traditionally used to prevent respiratory infections, making it a preferred choice for immune support during flu seasons and widespread outbreaks.
SARS Prevention
One study published in 2005 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an herbal formula in preventing the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among healthcare workers during the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong.
Study Design
The research involved two groups of healthcare workers:
Supplement Group: This group took the herbal supplement for a 2-week period.
Control Group: This group did not receive the supplement.
Results
SARS Transmission: None of the healthcare workers who used the supplement contracted SARS, whereas 0.4% of those who did not use the supplement were infected.
Additional Benefits: Users of the herbal supplement reported improvements in influenza-like symptoms and overall quality of life.
The study concluded that using Traditional Chinese Medicine supplements has the potential to prevent the spread of SARS.
COVID-19 Prevention
A recent 2022 study published in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine aimed to identify the medicinal measures and rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine and provide clinical reference in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Data from government and media websites of various provinces in China was collected and analyzed using cluster analysis and complex network analysis.
Key Findings
Therapeutic Prescriptions: Among the 27 TCM diagnosis and treatment plans, a total of 203 therapeutic prescriptions were identified. The core combinations often included Herba ephedrae and Semen armeniacae amarum.
The top 4 herbs used were:
Radix glycyrrhizae
Semen armeniacae amarum
Herba ephedrae
Herba agastachis
Preventive Formulas: A total of 48 preventive formulas were identified.
The ten most frequently used herbs for prevention included:
Radix Astragali seu hedysari
Radix glycyrrhizae
Radix saposhnikoviae
Flos lonicerae
Core Prescription: The core combination for TCM compatibility was Radix astragali seu hedysari, Radix glycyrrhizae, and Radix saposhnikoviae, which are the main components of Yu Ping Feng San.
Study Conclusions
Prevention: In the context of preventing COVID-19, TCM primarily emphasizes enhancing human immunity.
Treatment: For treatment, the focus shifts towards prescriptions that aim to clear the lungs and eliminate dampness.
The study also noted that TCM prescriptions vary by region, likely due to climatic and environmental differences. This variability can help clinicians quickly develop tailored TCM plans to treat patients based on their specific clinical status.
Protective Chi in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Wei Chi)
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is something called “Wei Chi” or “Protective Chi.” It’s created by the “mist” in our lungs and is the most superficial of all the “Chi” – or energy forces in the body. According to TCM, Wei Chi is our external defense that flows right through the pores of our skin and all of our mucosal membranes. When our Wei Qi is weak, our bodies are more open to an attack.
Study on Yu Ping Feng San
In a different study published in 2013 in the PLoS One Journal, researchers aimed to analyze the chemical composition and biological properties of Yu Ping Feng San. They found that choosing a specific combination of different herbs when forming a TCM herbal formula, such as YPFS, can greatly enhance the pharmaceutical effects by getting more extricable active ingredients in the final decoction.
Key Factors:
The formula includes components like:
Astragali Radix: Known for being an excellent immune tonic that stabilizes and strengthens protective “Qi.”
Saposhnikoviae Radix: Used to expel “wind,” relieve exterior syndrome, eliminate dampness, and treat convulsions and diarrhea.
For an herbal formula to be effective, it is important that the immune system maintains a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The study’s results indicated that the YPFS formula achieved both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in cultured macrophages, unlike the individual component extracts when tested on their own.
Resources:
Respiratory Readiness - Prevention Phase Protocol
The Respiratory Readiness – Prevention Phase Protocol I created is intended to support your immune system during these colder months. It’s important to actively support the mouth, nose, sinuses, lungs, and GI tract when you are healthy. Click below for some proper preparations for the seasonal airborne assaults that we have become all too aware of over the past two years can be an excellent place to start.
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