Sanfu patch (三伏贴) is a seasonal Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy applied during the hottest period of summer (Sanfu days). For overseas wellness brands, TCM clinics, and distributors targeting Asian communities, offering custom Sanfu patches represents a high-margin seasonal product opportunity. This guide walks through the complete OEM workflow from initial inquiry to finished product delivery.

What Is Sanfu Patch Therapy

Sanfu patch therapy originates from TCM’s “winter disease treated in summer” (冬病夏治) principle. Herbal paste patches are applied to specific acupoints during the three hottest periods (Sanfu) of summer:

  • Chufu (初伏) — First 10-day period
  • Zhongfu (中伏) — Second 10-20 day period
  • Mofu (末伏) — Final 10-day period

The therapeutic principle: stimulate acupoints during peak yang energy to strengthen immunity and prevent winter respiratory conditions.

Typical Sanfu Patch Formula

Traditional formulas vary by school and application, but common ingredients include:

  • Sinapis alba (白芥子) — Primary warming agent
  • Euphorbia kansui (甘遂) — Potent dispersing herb
  • Corydalis (延胡索) — Analgesic and circulation promoter
  • Fresh ginger juice — Carrier and penetration enhancer
  • Mugwort (艾叶) — Warming and harmonizing

Formula customization is one of the primary OEM value propositions — brands can adjust ratios, add ingredients, or create proprietary blends.

Step 1: Inquiry and Requirements Gathering

Your OEM journey begins with a detailed inquiry. Prepare the following information:

Required Information

  • Target market — Country and regulatory environment
  • Formula preferences — Traditional formula, modified formula, or custom blend
  • Patch format — Size, shape, backing material
  • Packaging type — Individual sachets, multi-patch kits, gift boxes
  • Brand elements — Logo, brand colors, label design
  • Order quantity — Initial MOQ and projected annual volume
  • Timeline — Target delivery date (factor in Sanfu season timing)

Our Response

Within 48 hours, we provide:

  • Formula recommendation based on your target use case
  • Material and format options with pricing tiers
  • Packaging mockup concepts
  • Quotation with MOQ and lead time
  • Regulatory compliance assessment for your market

Step 2: Formula Development and Sampling

Once requirements are confirmed, we enter the sampling phase.

Formula Customization Options

  • Traditional formula — Standard TCM Sanfu formula
  • Modified traditional — Adjust herb ratios for specific therapeutic focus
  • Custom blend — Develop entirely new formula with your input
  • Mild formulation — Reduced potency for sensitive skin or first-time users
  • Enhanced formulation — Stronger warming effect for experienced users

Sampling Process

  1. Lab sample — 10-20 patches for formula validation (7-10 days)
  2. Pilot sample — 100-200 patches with final packaging (10-15 days)
  3. Sample revision — Adjust based on your feedback (5-7 days per round)

Sample Evaluation Criteria

  • Adhesion quality and skin comfort
  • Herbal scent profile and intensity
  • Warming sensation onset and duration
  • Skin reaction assessment (patch test)
  • Packaging appearance and functionality

Step 3: Material Sourcing and Production Planning

After sample approval, we proceed to bulk production planning.

Raw Material Sourcing

  • Herbs — Sourced from verified TCM herb suppliers with COA (Certificate of Analysis)
  • Patch backing — Medical-grade non-woven or cotton fabric
  • Adhesive — Hypoallergenic medical adhesive
  • Release liner — Silicone-coated release paper
  • Packaging — Food-grade aluminum foil sachets

Production Scheduling

  • Production slot reservation — Booked upon deposit payment
  • Material procurement — 5-7 days for standard materials
  • Custom materials — 10-15 days for special order items
  • Production lead time — 15-20 days for standard orders

Step 4: Manufacturing Process

Production Environment

All Sanfu patches are manufactured in our Class 100K cleanroom facility:

  1. Herb preparation — Grinding, sieving, and blending to exact formula specifications
  2. Paste mixing — Combining herb powder with carrier medium (ginger juice or base)
  3. Patch formation — Automated dispensing onto backing material
  4. Drying and curing — Controlled environment drying for optimal consistency
  5. Die cutting — Precise cutting to specified shape and size
  6. Packaging — Individual sachet sealing with desiccant
  7. Quality inspection — AQL sampling inspection per batch

In-Process Quality Control

  • Weight verification at each dispensing station
  • Adhesion testing every 2 hours
  • Visual inspection for paste uniformity
  • Metal detection on all finished product
  • Microbial testing on retained samples

Step 5: Packaging and Branding

Packaging Options

  • Individual sachets — Single patch per sachet, ideal for clinical dispensing
  • Multi-patch kits — 3-patch, 6-patch, or 10-patch sets for retail
  • Sanfu season gift boxes — Premium packaging with all three Sanfu applications
  • Practitioner bulk packs — 50-100 patches for TCM clinics

Custom Branding Elements

  • Outer box design — Full-color printed retail box
  • Sachet printing — Brand logo and product information on each sachet
  • Insert materials — Application instructions, acupoint guide, brand story
  • Multi-language labels — English, Chinese, Portuguese, or your target market language
  • Regulatory compliant labeling — Ingredients, warnings, and usage directions per market requirements

Step 6: Final Quality Control and Documentation

Pre-Shipment Inspection

Every order undergoes final QC before release:

  • AQL sampling — Level II, AQL 2.5 for major defects, 4.0 for minor
  • Packaging integrity — Seal strength and leak testing
  • Label verification — Confirm all text and branding correct
  • Quantity verification — Exact count confirmation
  • Shelf-life verification — Production date and expiration date printing

Documentation Package

Each shipment includes:

  • Certificate of Analysis (COA) — Batch-specific test results
  • Packing list — Detailed contents and quantities
  • Commercial invoice — For customs clearance
  • Material safety data — If required by destination
  • Certificate of origin — For preferential tariff treatment

Step 7: Shipping and Logistics

Shipping Options

  • Sea freight — 25-35 days, most economical for bulk orders
  • Air freight — 7-10 days, for time-sensitive seasonal orders
  • Express courier — 3-5 days, for samples or small orders

Incoterms

  • FOB Shanghai/Ningbo — Buyer arranges shipping
  • CIF destination port — We handle shipping to your port
  • DDP — Door-to-door delivery with all duties paid (select markets)

Seasonal Timing Considerations

Sanfu season dates vary by year (typically July-August). For Sanfu patch products:

  • Order by April — Ensure delivery before Sanfu season starts
  • Stock building — Many distributors stock up year-round for off-season sales to TCM clinics
  • Off-season production — We maintain production capacity year-round

MOQ and Pricing Structure

Minimum Order Quantities

  • Standard formula — 1,000 patches
  • Custom formula — 3,000 patches
  • Gift box sets — 500 sets
  • Practitioner bulk — 5,000 patches

Pricing Tiers

Pricing decreases with volume. Contact us for a detailed quotation based on:

  • Formula complexity
  • Patch size and material
  • Packaging type and printing
  • Order quantity
  • Destination and shipping terms

Why Choose Us for Sanfu Patch OEM

  • NMPA Class II manufacturing — Medical device grade production
  • TCM formulation expertise — In-house TCM practitioners
  • 15 utility patents — Proprietary processing technology
  • University R&D partnership — Huazhong Agricultural University
  • Full documentation — Complete regulatory support package
  • Year-round production — Not limited to Sanfu season
  • Multi-language support — English, Chinese, Portuguese-speaking OEM team