Formulas for Cough, Wheezing and Phlegm (止咳化痰平喘剂)

A very large category covering the wide range of respiratory and Phlegm-related presentations. Divided by the type of Phlegm (Damp, Heat, Cold, Dry) and the symptom (cough, wheeze, expectoration, lumps and nodules).

Sub-categories

1. Transform Damp-Phlegm — Er Chen Tang
2. Clear Phlegm-Heat — Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
3. Warm and Transform Cold-Phlegm — Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
4. Moisten and resolve Dry Phlegm — Bei Mu Gua Lou San
5. Calm wheezing — Ding Chuan Tang, Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang

Herbs in this category

The following individual herbs belong to this category in the Chinese Materia Medica:

Herbs that stop coughing and wheezing

• Bai Bu (Stemona root)
• Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillary bulb / Sichuan fritillary)
• Jie Geng (Platycodon root / Balloon flower root)
• Kuan Dong Hua (Coltsfoot Flower)
• Pi Pa Ye (Loquat Leaf)
• Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark)
• Xing Ren (Apricot kernel / Bitter apricot seed)
• Zi Wan (Aster Root)

Cool herbs that transform Phlegm-Heat

• Gua Lou (Trichosanthes Fruit)
• Qian Hu (Peucedanum Root)
• Zhe Bei Mu (Zhejiang Fritillaria)
• Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings)

Warm herbs that transform Phlegm-Cold

• Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed)
• Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome)

Herbs that resolve Phlegm and soften hardness

• Hǎi Zǎo (Sargassum / Seaweed)

Formulas in this category

The following classical and modern formulas in this category are detailed individually in the formula directory:

1. Er Chen Tang — Damp-Phlegm in the chest
2. Wen Dan Tang — Phlegm-Heat harassing the Heart/Gallbladder
3. Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan — Phlegm-Heat in the Lung
4. Bei Mu Gua Lou San — Lung Yin deficiency with dry phlegm
5. Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang — Lung-Kidney failing to grasp Qi
6. San Zi Yang Qin Tang — three-seed phlegm-cough mixture
7. Ding Chuan Tang — wheeze from Lung Heat with phlegm
8. Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang — cold-phlegm wheeze
9. Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang — thyroid nodules / goitre (Phlegm-softening)

Browse the full formula directory for over 260 individual formula pages.

When this category is used

Formulas for Cough, Wheezing and Phlegm are typically prescribed for: chronic cough, asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, postnasal drip, recurrent respiratory infection, lumps and nodules from Phlegm. The choice of specific formula within the category is determined by precise Eight Principles pattern differentiation in clinical consultation.

About prescribing

Chinese herbal formulas are dispensed by qualified practitioners following individual TCM diagnosis. The herbs I prescribe are pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan, tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.

Return to the Chinese herbal medicine main page or browse individual herbs.