Bīng Táng (冰糖) — Rock sugar
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Incompatibilities
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Bīng Táng (冰糖) — Saccharum sinensis — is known in English as Rock sugar. It belongs to the category of food substances that harmonise and moisten in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine both as a component of classical herbal formulas and within tailored prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
I prescribe Bīng Táng as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan — independently tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Herbs are never prescribed individually outside a properly balanced formula; they are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Bīng Táng |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 冰糖 |
| Latin name | Saccharum sinensis |
| English name | Rock sugar |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels entered | Spleen, Lung |
| Category | Qi tonics |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Tonifies the middle burner and augments Qi
- Moistens the Lungs and stops dry cough
- Harmonises and sweetens harsh formulas
Indications
- Dry cough with little phlegm
- Added to pear or herbal decoctions to moisten the Lungs
- Used to make bitter formulas palatable
4. Key formulas containing Bīng Táng
Bīng Táng is an ingredient in a number of classical formulas. The following are among the most important:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 332 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Rock sugar is crystallised cane sugar used in Chinese dietary therapy for its moistening effect on the Lungs. It carries the same metabolic considerations as any sugar.
6. Incompatibilities
The classical Ming-dynasty texts Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) and Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions) record herb pairs that should not be combined. Modern practitioners treat these as strong cautions rather than absolute contraindications.
No classical incompatibilities are recorded for Bīng Táng in the Shi Ba Fan or Shi Jiu Wei.
7. Cautions and contraindications
Avoided or minimised in diabetes, in Damp-Phlegm patterns and where there is Candida or marked Dampness, as sweet, cloying substances generate Damp.
Pattern contraindications
Not appropriate in Damp-Phlegm or Damp-Heat patterns.
Modern drug interactions
No specific drug interactions are well established for Bīng Táng at normal prescribed doses. As with all Chinese herbs, tell your herbalist about every prescribed medication so the formula can be reviewed for interactions and adjusted where necessary.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience.
8. Treatment at my clinic
I use Bīng Táng only as a small adjunct in moistening Lung preparations, and omit it for patients with diabetes or marked Dampness.
Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available for patients throughout the UK and internationally, with herbs dispensed by post. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.
