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Prescriptions for Checking the Upward Adverse Flow of Qi

Ding Chuan Tang (定喘汤): Classic TCM Formula

定喘汤 Dingchuan Tang
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

Asthma-relieving Decoction

The Prescription of 定喘汤

Source

The book She Sheng Zhong Miao Fang

Ingredients

Bai Guo (Semen Ginkgo) 9 g,Ma Huang (Herba Ephedrae) 9 g,Kuan Dong Hua (Flos Farfarae) 9 g,Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) 9 g,Sang Bai Pi (Cortex Mori) 9 g,Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 9 g,Su Zi (Fructus Perillae) 6 g,Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 6 g,Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 3 g.

Explanation

Ma Huang: One of the principal drugs, facilitating the flow of the lung-Qi to dispel pathogenic factors and relieve asthma.

Bai Guo: The other principal drug, astringing the lung to stop asthma and remove phlegm.

Su Zi, Xing Ren, Ban Xia and Kuan Dong Hua: Descending the lung-Qi to alleviate asthma, relieve cough and eliminate phlegm.

Sang Bai Pi and Huang Qin: Clearing away the lung-heat to relieve cough and asthma.

Gan Cao: Tempering the actions of all the other ingredients.

The Effect of 定喘汤

Effect

Facilitating the flow of the lung-Qi to descend upward flow, eliminating phlegm and relieving asthma.

Indications

Syndrome due to wind-cold in the exterior and retention of phlegm-heat in the interior, marked by massive viscid yellowish sputum, dyspnea, asthma, cough, pale tongue with yellowish greasy coating, arid slippery rapid pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma.

Administrations

Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken twice.

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Sources and further reading

We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.

  • Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
  • Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
  • Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
  • NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.

Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.

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