FORMULAS THAT

DISPEL PHLEGM

Formulas that Dispel Phlegm

• Formulas that Dry Dampness and Transform Phlegm
• Er Chen Tang
• Wen Dan Tang
• Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang

• Formulas that Dry Dampness and Transform Phlegm

• Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang
• Xiao Xian Xiong Tang

• Formulas that Transform Phlegm and Disperse Clumping

• Xiao Luo Wan

• Formulas that Moisten Dryness and Transform Phlegm

• Bei Mu Gua Lou San

• Formulas that Warm and Transform Phlegm-Cold

• San Zi Yang Qin Tang

• Formulas that Transform Phlegm and Extinguish Wind

• Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
• Zhi Sou San
 er chen tang
two-aged [herb] decoction
• ban xia
• chen pi
• fu ling
• zhi gan cao
Dries dampness; transforms phlegm; regulates qi;
harmonizes middle jiao
Phlegm-dampness (SP/LU): cough with copious, white, easy-to-
expectorate sputum; focal distention and sti ing sensation in chest and
diaphragm; palpitations; nausea and vomiting; dizziness

Tongue: white, moist or greasy coat

Pulse: slippery

er chen tang
two-aged [herb] decoction
Modi cations:

for cough with copious sputum due to cold in

for damp-heat in upper jiao: for insomnia and desire to sleep after meals:
LU:
+ add huang qin, zhi zi, xing ren, jie geng + add bai zhu, shi chang pu
+ add ma huang or zi su ye and xing ren

for severe coughing at night due to phlegm and

for damp-heat in middle jiao: for vomiting due to cold in ST:
blood de ciency:
+ add huang lian, huo xiang, hou po, yi yi ren + add gan jiang, sha ren
+ add dang gui

for phlegm-dampness obstructing womb

for damp-heat in lower burner: for vomiting of clear uids:
(irregular menses, copious leukorrhea):
+ add ku shen, huang bai, hua shi + add cang zhu, bai zhu
+ add chuan xiong, dang gui

for concurrent dryness:

for wind-dampness: for chronic phlegm in channels (nodules):
‣ add substitute gua lou and chuan bei mu for zhi
+ add wei ling xian, qin jiao, cang er zi, gui zhi + add mu li, xuan shen, kun bu, hai dai
ban xia

for cough with copious sputum (interior phlegm- for SP and KI yang de ciency (coughing of thin,
damp with pathogenic qi on exterior): water sputum; urinary di culty):
+ add zi su ye, xing ren + add rou gui, zhi fu zi

Cautions/Contraindications:
• Contraindicated for cough due to LU yin de ciency (formula is warm and drying)
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 wen dan tang
warm gallbladder decoction
• zhu ru • fu ling
• zhi shi • sheng jiang
• ban xia • gan cao
• chen pi
Regulates qi; transforms phlegm; clears the Gallbladder;
harmonizes the Stomach
GB/ST disharmony with phlegm-heat: dizziness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting,
dream-disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams, palpitations, anxiety,
indeterminate gnawing hunger; or seizures accompanied by copious sputum,
focal distention of chest, bitter taste, slight thirst

Tongue: yellow, greasy coat

Pulse: rapid; slippery or wiry

wen dan tang

warm gallbladder decoction
Modi cations:

for severe vertigo: for tinnitus and hearing loss due to damp-heat in GB:
+ add bai shao, dai she zhi, huang qin + add add chai hu, gou teng, ju hua, shi chang pu, tong cao

for severe insomnia due HT/GB de ciency:

for insomnia:
+ add ren shen, shi gao, mai men dong, long yan rou, suan zao
+ add hu po, suan zao ren, mu li
ren

for dry mouth and tongue:

- remove zhi ban xia
+ add mai men dong, tian hua fen

Cautions/Contraindications:
• none listed
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 huang lian wen dan tang
warm gallbladder decoction with coptis
• huang lian • chen pi
• zhu ru • fu ling
• zhi shi • sheng jiang
• ban xia • gan cao

Wen Dan Tang + Huang Lian: for severe phlegm-heat with more
restlessness and irritability, more intense bitter taste in mouth

huang lian wen dan tang

warm gallbladder decoction with coptis
Modi cations:

none noted

Cautions/Contraindications:
• none listed
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 qing qi hua tan tang
clear the qi and transform phlegm decoction
• dan nan xing • chen pi
• huang qin • fu ling
• gua lou ren • xing ren
• ban xia • zhi shi
Clears heat; transforms phlegm; directs rebellious qi
downward; stops cough
Phlegm-heat: coughing of thick, yellow, di cult-to-expectorate sputum,
focal distention and fullness in chest, nausea

Tongue: red; greasy, yellow coat

Pulse: rapid, slippery

qing qi hua tan tang

clear the qi and transform phlegm decoction
Modi cations:

for high fever: for more severe heat:

+ add shi gao, zhi mu + add qing dai, ge qiao

for copious sputum: for nausea and vomiting:

+ add yu xing cao, tian hua fen + substitute zhu ru for gua lou

for gummy sputum:

for palpitations and insomnia:
- remove zhi ban xia
+ add hu po, mu li, suan zao ren
+ add dong gua zi

Cautions/Contraindications:
• none listed
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 xiao xian xiong tang
minor decoction [for pathogens] stuck in the chest

• gua lou
• huang lian
• ban xia

Clears heat; transforms phlegm; expands chest, dissipates

clumps
Phlegm-heat clumping in chest: focal distention (with or without
nodules) in the chest and epigastrium that are painful when pressed,
cough with thick yellow sputum, constipation, bitter taste

Tongue: greasy, yellow coat

Pulse: slippery; oating or rapid

xiao xian xiong tang

minor decoction [for pathogens] stuck in the chest
Modi cations:

for vomiting: for high fever and severe cough:

+ add zhu ru, sheng jiang ‣ combine with Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang

for gummy sputum that cannot be expectorated: for myocardial infarction:

+ add bei mu, dan nan xing + add tao ren, hong hua, wu ling zhi, pu huang

for severe distention and pain: for hepatitis:

+ add yu jin, zhi shi ‣ combine with Yin Chen Hao Tang or Da Chai Hu Tang

for indeterminate gnawing hunger:

+ add zhi shi, zhi zi

Cautions/Contraindications:
• Contraindicated for SP/ST de ciency (this formula can cause loose stools)
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 xiao luo tang
reduce scrofula pill

• xuan shen
• mu li
• zhe bei mu

Clears heat; transforms phlegm; softens hardness;

disperses clumps
Nodules on the neck that are rm and rubbery in consistency,
accompanied by dry mouth and throat

Tongue: red
Pulse: rapid; slippery or wiry

xiao luo tang

reduce scrofula pill
Modi cations:

for large and very hard nodules: for severe dryness in throat and mouth:
+ increase mu li + increase xuan shen
+ add kun bu, hai zao, xia ku cao + add zhi mu, mu dan pi

for very hot nodules with sticky contents:

for Liver qi stagnation and pain in chest/hypochondria:
+ increase bei mu
+ add chai hu, bai shao, qing pi
+ add gua lou

Cautions/Contraindications:
• Contraindicated in cases of congealing due to cold or in amed and ulcerated nodules
• Patients should resolve emotional problems the may accompany this condition
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 bei mu gua lou san
fritillaria and trichosanthes fruit powder

• chuan bei mu • fu ling

• gua lou • ju hong
• tian hua fen • jie geng

Moistens Lung; clears heat; regulates qi; transforms

phlegm
Dryness in Lung causing phlegm: cough with deep-seated di cult-to-
expectorate sputum, wheezing, dry and sore throat

Tongue: red, dry; white coat

Pulse: rapid, thin but strong or slippery

bei mu gua lou san

fritillaria and trichosanthes fruit powder
Modi cations:

for hoarseness and blood-streaked sputum:

for severe coughing and wheezing:
- remove ju hong
+ add xing ren, pi pa ye, kuan dong hua
+ add sha shen, mai men dong, lu gen, xian he cao

for concurrent exterior conditions: for more severe dryness and sore throat:
+ add sang ye, xing ren, qian hu, niu bang zi + add xuan shen, mai men dong, zhi mu

Cautions/Contraindications:
• Contraindicated for cough due to yin de ciency
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 san zi yang qin tang
three-seed decoction to nourish one’s parents

• bai jie zi
• zi su zi
• lai fu zi

Directs qi downward; transforms phlegm; reduces

harbored food
Phlegm clogging Lungs + qi stagnation: coughing and wheezing,
copious sputum, focal distention in chest, loss of appetite, digestive
di culties

Tongue: white, greasy coat

Pulse: slippery

san zi yang qin tang

three-seed decoction to nourish one’s parents
Modi cations:

for even more pronounced cold signs: for stertorous (labored) breathing:
+ add xi xin, ma huang + add jie geng, zhi ke

for coughing:
+ add zi wan, kuan dong hua

Cautions/Contraindications:
• none listed
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 ban xia bai zhu tian ma tang
pinellia, white atractylodes, and gastrodia decoction

• ban xia • fu ling • da zao

• tian ma • ju hong • gan cao
• bai zhu • sheng jiang

Strengthens Spleen; dispels dampness; transforms

phlegm; extinguishes wind
Wind-phlegm: dizziness and vertigo (possibly severe), headache, a
sti ing sensation in chest, nausea or vomiting, copious sputum

Tongue: white, greasy coat

Pulse: slippery, wiry

ban xia bai zhu tian ma tang

pinellia, white atractylodes, and gastrodia decoction
Modi cations:

for severe headache: for more pronounced phlegm-dampness:

+ add man jing zi + add ze xie, gui zhi

for severe vertigo: for weakness:

+ add bai jiang can, dan nan xing + add dang shen, huang qi

for ascendant LV yang: for tubercular meningitis:

+ add gou teng, dai zhe shi + add quan xie, di long, bai jiang cao

Cautions/Contraindications:
• Contraindicated for vertigo due to either Liver yang rising or blood de ciency
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 zhi sou san
stop coughing powder

• zi wan • chen pi
• bai qian • jing jie
• bai bu • gan cao
• jie geng

Stop cough; transforms phlegm; disperses exterior;

disseminates Lung qi
Lingering cough after wind-cold attack: cough with or without slight
fever and chills, itchy throat, phlegm that is di cult to expectorate

Tongue: thin, white coat

Pulse: moderate, oating

zhi sou san

stop coughing powder
Modi cations:

for dry, non-productive cough:

for early stages of wind-cold:
- remove jing jie, chen pi
+ add sheng jiang
+ add gua lou, bei mu, zhi mu, bai zi ren

for wind-cold (headache, stu y nose, chills, fever): for sore throat, painful eyes, more fever than chills (wind-heat):
+ add fang feng, zi su ye, sheng jiang + add ju hua, sang ye, bo he, huang qin, niu bang zi

for summerheat (thirst, irritability, dark urine): for copious sputum:

+ add huang lian, huang qin, tian hua fen + combine with Er Chen Tang

for thick, sticky sputum from dampness turning into phlegm:

+ add zhi ban xia, fu ling, sang bai pi, sheng jiang, da zao

Cautions/Contraindications:
• Not for cough due to yin de ciency (this formula is drying)
• Must be modi ed for cough due to heat in LU
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