Fangfeng Qinjiao Decoction for Treating Hemorrhoidal Bleeding

Fangfeng Qinjiao Tang (“Saposhnikovia and Gentiana Macrophylla Decoction”) comes from Waike Zhengzong (Orthodox External Medicine). Its composition is: Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata), Qinjiao (Gentiana macrophylla), Danggui (Angelica sinensis), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Shengdihuang (raw Rehmannia), Baishao (white Paeonia), Chifuling (red Poria), and Lianqiao (Forsythia), each 1 qian (3g); Binglang (Areca catechu), Gancao (Glycyrrhiza), Zhizi (Gardenia), Diyu (Sanguisorba), Zhiqiao (Bitter Orange), Huaijiao (Sophora fruit), Baizhi (Angelica dahurica), and Cangzhu (Atractylodes lancea), each 6 fen (1.8g). Decoct the above herbs in one large bowl of water (about 400 ml) down to eight-tenths of a bowl (about 320 ml), and strain out the dregs. Take before meals, twice daily.

This formula has the actions of dispelling wind and clearing heat, and nourishing blood and stopping bleeding. It is indicated for hemorrhoidal bleeding and for those with a bearing-down sensation and pain in the anus; for constipation, add Dahuang (Rheum) 2 qian (6g).

In this formula, Fangfeng dispels wind and releases the exterior, overcomes dampness and relieves pain, and stops spasms; Qinjiao dispels wind-damp, clears damp-heat, and relieves pain. The pairing of Fangfeng and Qinjiao enhances the effect of removing dampness and stopping pain. Danggui, Chuanxiong, Shengdihuang, and Baishao together constitute Siwu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction), which has the action of enriching and invigorating blood. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that hemorrhoids form from the binding of blood stasis with damp-heat, so using Siwu Tang to enrich and invigorate blood is exactly appropriate. Fuling and Cangzhu drain dampness; Lianqiao clears heat, resolves toxins, and reduces swelling; Binglang and Zhiqiao move qi and dissipate nodules; Zhizi clears heat; Diyu and Huaijiao stop bleeding and reduce swelling; Baizhi dispels wind and relieves pain, reduces swelling, and discharges pus; Gancao harmonizes the other herbs.

Thus, when all the herbs are combined, they jointly achieve the effects of dispelling wind and clearing heat, reducing swelling and dissipating nodules, enriching blood and stopping bleeding, and can treat hemorrhoidal bleeding with anal heaviness and pain. This formula not only treats hemorrhoids but can also be used to relieve the symptoms of anal bearing-down pain and bloody stool in rectal cancer patients; however, used alone for rectal cancer its effect is limited, and it should be combined with anticancer drugs.