San Huang Cream: A Remedy for Burns, Inflammation, and More

Many of us keep something on hand for cuts, burns, or insect bites — but few remedies carry the centuries of clinical use and herbal wisdom behind San Huang Gao (三黄膏), also known as San Huang Cream.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, San Huang Gao is a well-known topical formula used to clear heat, reduce inflammation, and draw out toxins from the skin and underlying tissue. The name “San Huang” means “Three Yellows,” referring to the three bitter-cold herbs that make up the traditional base:

  • Da Huang (大黄) – Rhubarb root

  • Huang Qin (黄芩) – Baikal Skullcap root

  • Huang Lian (黄连) – Coptis root

Each of these herbs is known for its ability to clear heat and fire toxicity, whether from external injury, infection, or internal disharmony manifesting at the skin level.

What It’s Used For

San Huang Cream is traditionally applied to treat a wide variety of skin conditions where heat, swelling, or toxic buildup are involved. These include:

  • Minor burns and scalds

  • Insect bites and stings

  • Boils, carbuncles, and early-stage abscesses

  • Red, inflamed rashes

  • Sprains with swelling and heat

  • Hot, painful skin eruptions

At the healing center, Dr. Wu frequently recommends it as a first-aid remedy for kitchen burns, sunburn, or irritated skin from bug bites. It can also be used for early-stage infections, as long as the skin isn’t open or severely broken.

How It Works

The herbs in San Huang Cream work together to:

  • Clear heat and fire toxins from the skin

  • Cool inflammation

  • Reduce swelling and redness

  • Move stagnation to encourage healing

Because it’s a cold formula, San Huang Cream is best for "hot" presentations — red, swollen, painful, or inflamed skin. It is not suited for pale, cold, or pus-draining sores, which may need warming or blood-tonifying support instead.



  1. Cleanse the area gently with warm water.

  2. Apply a thin layer of the cream to the affected skin.

  3. Cover lightly with gauze or leave uncovered, depending on location.

  4. Reapply 2–3 times daily, or as directed.

For burns, apply as soon as possible after cooling the area with clean water.

For rashes, avoid applying to large areas at once unless directed by a practitioner.

Based on a Traditional Formula

San Huang Gao has been used in various forms for hundreds of years. While the exact preparation may differ between lineages, the three core herbs — Da Huang, Huang Lian, and Huang Qin — remain consistent, and are widely recognized in Chinese external medicine.

Dr. Wu’s version is true to the traditional principles, prepared in a modern, convenient cream base. It reflects the Fengyang Taoist lineage of external medicine, where topical formulas are considered a vital part of whole-body healing.




Disclaimer: All above articles are for reference only. If patients are interested, please consult a professional practitioner Traditional Chinese Medicine for a consultation.





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