Ding Chuan Tang: A Simple Guide to a Lung-Soothing, Phlegm-Clearing Herbal Formula
Hongji Medical- Dec 4, 2024
- 4 min read
Ding Chuan Tang, or "Arrest Wheezing Decoction," is a classic Chinese herbal formula from Health Prescriptions. Renowned for promoting lung qi flow, clearing heat, and resolving phlegm, it’s a go-to remedy for asthma and coughs caused by phlegm-heat and wind-cold.
This balanced blend soothes breathing and eases respiratory discomfort with a warming, clearing effect.
What’s in Ding Chuan Tang?
Ding Chuan Tang combines nine herbs to support lung health and clear phlegm:
Ginkgo Seed (Bai Guo, 9g): Shelled, crushed, and fried, it soothes lungs and stops wheezing.
Ephedra (Ma Huang, 9g): Opens lungs, relieves asthma, and dispels wind-cold.
Perilla Seed (Su Zi, 6g): Descends qi, clears phlegm, and eases cough.
Licorice (Gan Cao, 3g): Harmonizes the formula and protects the lungs.
Coltsfoot Flower (Kuan Dong Hua, 9g): Moistens lungs and stops cough.
Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren, 4.5g): Relieves cough and promotes lung qi flow.
Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi, 9g): Honey-roasted, it clears lung heat and descends qi.
Skullcap (Huang Qin, 4.5g): Clears heat and dries dampness to reduce phlegm.
Pinellia (Ban Xia, 9g): Processed to dry dampness, resolve phlegm, and stop nausea.
Preparation: Boil herbs in 450ml water until reduced to 300ml. Take 150ml twice daily, sipped slowly.
How Ding Chuan Tang Works
Ding Chuan Tang targets phlegm-heat in the lungs with wind-cold, causing:
Asthma, wheezing, or shortness of breath
Thick, yellow phlegm or persistent cough
Slight chills, yellow greasy tongue coating, slippery rapid pulse
Its actions include:
Descending Lung Qi: Ephedra, perilla, and apricot kernel open airways and ease breathing.
Clearing Heat and Phlegm: Skullcap, mulberry bark, and pinellia reduce phlegm and cool inflammation.
Relieving Cough and Asthma: Ginkgo and coltsfoot soothe lungs and stop wheezing.
Harmonizing: Licorice balances the formula to protect lung health.
Modern Uses
Ding Chuan Tang is used for:
Respiratory Conditions: Treats bronchial asthma and asthmatic bronchitis.
Phlegm-Heat Symptoms: Eases cough with thick phlegm or breathing difficulty.
Its herbs have shown antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and bronchodilatory effects in research.
Dietary and Lifestyle Support
To boost Ding Chuan Tang’s effects:
Pear Soup with Rock Sugar: Moistens lungs and clears phlegm.
Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup: Hydrates lungs and supports heat-clearing.
Lily Porridge: Soothes cough and moistens lung tissue.
Avoid Irritants: Skip spicy or greasy foods to reduce phlegm.
Stay Warm: Protect against cold to support lung qi.
Things to Keep in Mind
Not for Yin Deficiency: Avoid in long-term asthma with lung/kidney yin deficiency or no phlegm-heat.
Warm and Dry Nature: Unsuitable for dry coughs or heat without phlegm.
Professional Guidance: Consult a TCM practitioner for safe dosing and use.
Why Ding Chuan Tang Matters
Ding Chuan Tang is a TCM treasure, blending ginkgo, ephedra, and skullcap to soothe lungs, clear phlegm, and ease asthma. Rooted in ancient wisdom, it shines in modern clinics for respiratory relief. Paired with lung-friendly foods and expert guidance, this formula restores smooth breathing, proving the timeless power of Chinese herbal medicine.
Chinese Name | 定喘湯 |
Phonetic | Ding Chuan Tang |
English Name | Arrest Wheezing Decoction |
Classification | Qi-regulating formulas |
Source | 《Numerous Miraculous Prescriptions for Health Cultivation》She Sheng Zhong Miao Fang《攝生眾妙方》 |
Combination | Ginkgo Semen (Bai Guo remove shell; smash; dry-fry until yellow) 21 pieces (9g), Ephedrae Herba (Ma Huang) 3 qian (9g), Perillae Fructus (Zi Su Zi) 2 qian (6g), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 1 qian (3g), Farfarae Flos (Kuan Dong Hua) 3 qian (9g), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xing Ren) 1.5 qian (4.5g), Mori Cortex (Sang Bai Pi honey-fried) 3 qian (9g), Scutellariae Radix (Huang Qin slightly dry-fried) 1.5 qian (4.5g), Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum (Ban Xia) 3 qian (9g) |
Method | Prepare as a decoction. |
Action | Diffuses the lung and directs qi downward, clears heat, and dissolves phlegm. |
Indication | Ding Chuan Tang is indicated for wheezing and panting due to phlegm-heat accumulation in the lung. The symptoms are wheezing and panting, cough, phlegm with heavy breathing, thick yellow phlegm, and slight aversion to wind. The tongue coating is yellow and greasy, and the pulse is slippery and rapid. |
Pathogenesis | This formula treats wheezing and panting due to constitutional phlegm-heat accumulation, frequent onset of wind-cold, and lung qi obstruction leading to poor dispersion. Therefore, the symptoms are wheezing and panting, cough, profuse yellow phlegm. The tongue coating is yellow and greasy, and the pulse is slippery and rapid. While the Ding Chuan Tang pattern covers both the exterior and interior, phlegm-heat accumulation and lung failing to diffuse and govern descent is the major pathogenesis. Therefore, both the method and formula focuses on diffusing the lung and directing qi downward, clearing heat, and dissolving phlegm in combination with diffusing and dissipating exterior pathogens. |
Application | 1. Essential pattern differentiation Ding Chuan Tang is a common formula used to treat cough and panting due to phlegm-heat accumulation. This clinical pattern is marked by cough and panting, thick yellow phlegm, greasy, yellow tongue coating, slippery, rapid pulse. 2. Modern applications This formula is commonly used in the following biomedically defined disorders when the patient shows signs of phlegm-heat accumulation in the lung: bronchial asthma, asthmatic bronchitis. 3. Cautions and contraindications It is not applicable for patients with chronic asthma due to lung-kidney yin deficiency. |
