Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang — Poria, Licorice, Schisandra, Ginger & Asarum Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang — the “Poria, Licorice, Schisandra, Ginger and Asarum Decoction” — is from Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue. It is a five-herb formula treating Cold-Phlegm-Rheum lodged in the Lung, particularly chronic recurrent productive cough with copious clear watery phlegm in a patient with cold-deficient pattern. Gan Jiang and Xi Xin powerfully warm and disperse Cold-Phlegm from the Lung; Wu Wei Zi astringes the Lung against the dispersing action; Fu Ling drains Damp at the root; Gan Cao harmonises.

I prescribe Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang is prescribed for Cold-Phlegm-Rheum in the Lung:

• Chronic productive cough with copious clear watery white phlegm
• Worse with cold and in winter
• Possibly wheezing or chest tightness
• Cold extremities
• Pale complexion
• Tongue — pale, swollen, white moist coat
• Pulse — slippery, possibly slow

Key herbs

1. Fu Ling — drains Damp; addresses the root of Phlegm production
2. Gan Jiang — warms the Lung; transforms Cold-Phlegm
3. Xi Xin — warms the Lung; disperses Cold-Phlegm; opens the orifices
4. Wu Wei Zi — astringes Lung Qi; balances the warming dispersing herbs
5. Zhi Gan Cao — harmonises and tonifies

Formula actions

1. Warms the Lung
2. Transforms Cold-Phlegm-Rheum
3. Stops chronic cough with thin watery phlegm

Conditions treated

1. Chronic bronchitis with Cold-Phlegm pattern
2. COPD with copious clear sputum
3. Bronchiectasis with cold-pattern thin phlegm
4. Cold-pattern asthma with clear watery phlegm
5. Chronic cough after viral illness with persistent clear phlegm
6. Allergic cough triggered by cold air
7. Chronic post-nasal drip with cold pattern

Cautions

Contains Xi Xin — use only at classical low dose; absolutely contraindicated in renal impairment due to aristolochic acid risk; use only pharmaceutical-grade root (asari radix not asari herba).

Not appropriate for Lung Heat (yellow phlegm, fever, thirst), Yin-deficient dry cough, or Phlegm-Heat patterns — the warming herbs aggravate Heat and damage Yin.

Chronic cough with weight loss, haemoptysis or progressive dyspnoea requires medical investigation to exclude TB, malignancy or other serious pathology.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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